Papers by Ekpe O K P A T A Aribo
There are documented studies showing a pattern of declining age at menarche in the developed worl... more There are documented studies showing a pattern of declining age at menarche in the developed world due to better nutrition, environment and general conditions of living. Nigeria, though a developing country is well endowed with natural resources. Moreso, it is hoped that with democratization, the living standard of the average Nigerian should improve. One may wonder whether the nation’s wealth, democritization and the said improvement in gross domestic product (GDP) actually affect the standard of living of the average Nigerian girl vis a vis their age of menarche. This study therefore sought to evaluate the trend in Calabar, Nigeria as a function of improved health and general condition of living. The study was conducted on 1,200 students in junior secondary school 1 – 3 (JSS1 to JSS3) in selected public and private secondary schools in Calabar. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain relevant information while the weight and height were measured with a bathroom scale and imp...
The clothes/clothing industry is a fast-growing business with increasing number of people engaged... more The clothes/clothing industry is a fast-growing business with increasing number of people engaged in the sales or distribution of its products. Most studies on pulmonary health following exposure to textiles have concentrated on workers in the factories/industries. Workers in these industries have been reported severally to have pulmonary function impairment and other pulmonary diseases. There is however paucity of information on the pulmonary function of traders involved in the sale of the textile products (clothings), hence this study. Lung function indices were evaluated in the standing position by spirometry on 132 male fabric dealers and same number of age-matched male controls. The results showed no significant differences in the ages and anthropometric parameters (height, weight, chest circumference, body mass index) between fabric dealers and control groups. Forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced expiratory volume in one second expressed as a percentage of forced vital capacity (FEVI%), forced vital capacity (FVC) and peak expiratory flow were significantly (p<0.001) reduced in the test compared with the control subjects. There were no correlations between the lung function indices and duration in fabric sales. The concentrations of gases (carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, formaldehyde and total volatile organic compounds) and particulate matter (PM 1.5, Pm 2.5 and Pm 10) in the ambient air of fabric shops and control sites were not significantly different. We therefore conclude that chronic exposure to fabrics could be associated with derangement in pulmonary function indices.
Doxorubicin is an effective antimitotic agent but whose use is limited by reported cases of repro... more Doxorubicin is an effective antimitotic agent but whose use is limited by reported cases of reproductive toxicity attributed in part to oxidative stress. There is paucity of information on whether L-carnitine, a common and potent antioxidant mitigates doxorubicin-induced male reproductive impairment, hence this study. Fifteen (15) male Wistar rats used for the study were randomly divided into control, doxorubicin-only and doxorubian+L-carnitine groups of 5 rats each. Duration of daily administration with L-carnitine and weekly with doxorubicin was 28 days after which animals were sacrificed and relevant samples obtained for determination of parameters. Results show significant (p<0.05) decrease in relative testicular weight in the doxorubicin-only group compared with control, but significantly (p<0.001) higher in the Doxorubicin + L-carnitine groups compared with doxorubicin-only group. Sperm count, motility, and viability were significantly (p<0.05) reduced in the Doxorubicin-only compared with control group but significantly (p<0.05) higher in the doxorubicin + L-carnitine compared with Doxorubicin-only group. Teratozotospermia was significantly higher in Doxorubicin-only than in the control (p<0.05) but decreased in Doxorubicin+L-carnitine group (P<0.05) compared with doxorubicin-only group. Serum testosterone, luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone concentrations were significantly (p<0.05) decreased in doxorubicinonly compared with control but significantly (p<0.05) higher in doxorubicin + L-carnitine compared with the doxorubicin-only groups. We therefore conclude that L-carnitine ameliorates doxorubicin-induced male reproductive toxicity in Wistar rats probably via its anti-oxidant potentials.
World Journal of Biology Pharmacy and Health Sciences , 2025
Cadmium a common environmental pollutant and induces neurotoxicity by mechanisms including oxidat... more Cadmium a common environmental pollutant and induces neurotoxicity by mechanisms including oxidative stress. This study therefore evaluated the possible effects of common antioxidants, vitamin C and Rutin on Cadmium-induced neurotoxicity in mice. Twenty-five Albino mice weighing 18-28g used for the study were randomly assigned into 5 groups namely, control, Cadmium-only, Cadmium+vitamin C, Cadmium+Rutin and Cadmium+Vitamin C+Rutin groups. After 21 days of administration, neurobehavioural evaluation of the mice was carried out, animals sacrificed and the brain excised for biochemical analysis. Results show a significant increase in foot slips in the Cadmium-only group compared with control (p<0.05) but differentially lower in all treated than in the Cadmium-only groups (p<0.05). Stretch attend posture was significantly reduced in the Cadmium+VitaminC+Rutin group compared with the control and Cadmium-only groups (p<0.05). Open arm entry duration was significantly decreased in the Cadmium+Vitamin C compared with control (p<0.05) groups. Duration of closed arm entry was significantly higher in the Cadmium+Vitamin C compared with the Cadmium-only groups. Dark box duration in the Cadmium+Rutin group was significantly reduced compared with Cadmium+vitamin C groups (p<0.05) and significantly higher in the Cadmium+Rutin than in the Cadmium+vitamin C groups in the light box duration. Brain concentrations of malondialdehyde were significantly increased in the Cadmium only compared with control (p<0.05) compared with Cadmuim-only group and lower in Cd+vitamin C than Cd+Rutin. Catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase activities activities were significantly decreased (p<0.05) in Cadmium-only group compared with control but increased in Cadmium+vitamin C and Cadmium+vitamin C+Rutin compared with Cadmium-only groups, and higher in Cd+Vitamin C than Cd+Rutin. We therefore conclude that Vitamin C may may play a more significant role in mitigating Cd-induced incoordination and oxidative stress in the mice than Rutin.
PubMed, Jul 1, 2013
Background: The adverse health effects of stress are enormous, and vary among people, probably be... more Background: The adverse health effects of stress are enormous, and vary among people, probably because of differences in how stress is appraised and the strategies individuals use to cope with it. This study assessed the association between academic stress and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among 1365 undergraduates. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in a Nigerian university at the beginning of the 2010/2011 academic session with the same group of participants. The Life Stress Assessment Inventory, Coping Strategies Questionnaire, and Short Musculoskeletal Function Assessment were administered as tools of data gathering. Results: Students' stress level and associated MSDs were higher during the examination period than the pre-examination periods. Stressors were significantly associated with increased risk of MSDs in both sexes were those related to changes (odds ratio (OR) = 1.7, p = 0.002) and pressures (OR = 2.09, p = 0.001). Emotional and physiological reactions to stress were significantly associated with MSDs in both sexes, with higher odds for MSDs in females, whereas cognitive and behavioral reactions showed higher odds (though non-significant) in males. The risk of MSDs was higher in respondents who adopted avoidance and religious coping strategies compared with those who adopted active practical and distracting coping strategies. Conclusions: Stress among students could be significantly associated with MSDs depending on individuals' demographics, stressors, reactions to stress, and coping methods. Interventions to reduce stress-induced MSDs among students should consider these factors among others.
European journal of medicinal plants, Apr 5, 2019
Background: Ocimum gratissimum is an ethnopharmacological plant with numerous healing potentials.... more Background: Ocimum gratissimum is an ethnopharmacological plant with numerous healing potentials. But there is paucity in scientific literature on its impact on the blood cells. Aim and Objective: The present study was intended to evaluate the dose and time-dependent effect of aqueous leaf extract of Ocimum gratissimum on some haematological in albino Wistar rats. Methods: Twenty four rats were randomly assigned to four equal groups. Group 1 was control, groups 2, 3 and 4 were given 450 mg/kg, 800 mg/kg and 1800 mg/kg respectively of the extract daily for 30 days. All rats had free access to water and rat chow. Results: The result showed a significantly lower RBC count in groups 3 and 4 when compared with control (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). PCV was significantly lower in group 4 than control (p<0.05). Platelet count was significantly lower in group 4 than control (p<0.05) and group 2
Similar Lung Function Impairment In Auto Mechanics Operating In Stand-alone Auto Repair and Auto Repair Shops Shared with Spray Painters
Nigerian journal of physiological sciences : official publication of the Physiological Society of Nigeria, Jun 30, 2020
Automotive mechanics are reported to have lower lung function indices. Spray painting is associat... more Automotive mechanics are reported to have lower lung function indices. Spray painting is associated with impairment of lung function among spray painters. It is a common practice by auto repairers in Calabar to operate in the vicinity of spray painting shops. Whether such dual exposure to auto repair and spray painting environments worsens the lung function of auto mechanics is not documented. Lung function was evaluated in 300 males divided into three groups: control (group1), auto mechanics in stand-alone auto repair shops (group 2) and auto mechanics working in the vicinity of spray painting shops (group 3). Each group consisted of 100 subjects. Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and forced expiratory volume in the first second expressed as percentage of FVC (FEV1%) were assessed using a Vitalograph spirometer. Percentage oxygen saturation was evaluated using a pulse oximeter. Results showed no significant differences in age, weight and height among various groups. FVC was significantly reduced in groups 2 and 3 (p< 0.05 and p<0.001 respectively) compared to control but not between groups 2 and 3. FEV1 was significantly reduced in groups 2 and 3 (P <0.001 each) compared with control but not significantly different between groups 2 and 3. FEV1% was significantly lower in groups 2 and 3 (p< 0.001 each) compared with control but not between groups 2 and 3. The PEFR was significantly reduced in groups 2 and 3 (p<0.001 each) compared with control but not significantly different between groups 2 and 3. Percentage oxygen saturation was significantly reduced in groups 2 and 3 (p<0.05 and p<0.001 respectively) and also significantly lower in group 2 compared with group 3 (p<0.01). In conclusion, auto mechanics in auto repair only and auto repair shops shared with spray painters have lower lung function compared with control but no significant difference in lung function between auto mechanics in stand-alone auto repair shops compared with those in auto repair shops shared with spray painters.
The hypolipidemic effect of black eyed pea (Vigna unguiculata) is influenced by the extent of seed boiling
International Journal of Food Sciences and Nutrition, 2019
Vitamin E protects against biochemical alterations in testes of rats fed with photoxidised palm oil diet
International Journal of Advanced Scientific Research, 2021
This study evaluated the effects of artemether and artesunate on social behaviour and pain percep... more This study evaluated the effects of artemether and artesunate on social behaviour and pain perception using nesting score and animal models of pain namely, tail-flick test, hot plate test and formalin induced neurogenic response. Fifty mice were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group received water only while the 4 experimental groups were treated respectively with 30mg/kg of artesunate, 60mg/kg of artesunate, 30mg/kg of artemether and 60mg/kg of artemether orally. Drugs were administered daily for 28 days. Social behaviour was not affected in this study. Artemether at high doses caused increase in pain parameters in hot plate test, tail flick and phase 1 of formalin test.A similar trend was produced by artesunate especially at 60mg/kg but the effect was not as prominent as that of artemether.In phase 11 formalin test, pain parameters were enhanced by artesunate at 30mg/kg and artemether at 60mg/kg. In conclusion, oral artemether and oral artesunate (to a lesser extent) a...
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Papers by Ekpe O K P A T A Aribo