Curcumin abrogates cobalt-induced neuroinflammation by suppressing proinflammatory cytokines release, inhibiting microgliosis and modulation of ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

Curcumin, a bioactive polyphenol derived from turmeric, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory properties. The current study investigated the anti-inflammatory effect of curcumin in the hippocampal subfields (CA1 and CA3) after exposure to cobalt (Co) and the impact of ERK protein. Twenty-eight albino Wistar rats were divided into four groups, each with seven randomly selected rats as follows: Control (distilled water), Cobalt (Co) only (40 mg/kg), 120 mg/kg or 240 mg/kg curcumin + Co (40 mg/kg). Treatment was via oral gavage for 28 days. We performed a biochemical investigation to determine the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα and IL-1ß). Furthermore, we conducted an immunohistochemical evaluation to assess the expression of IBA1 by microglial cells and the immunoexpression of ERK protein in the hippocampus. Results revealed a significant (p<0.05) elevation in the tissue level of TNFα and IL-1ß, an increase in the number of IBA1-positive microglia, and upregulation of ERK protein in the hippocampal subfields of the rats after exposure to cobalt-only. Nevertheless, pretreatment with curcumin restored these parameters to levels comparable to control. In conclusion, our results showed that curcumin abrogated the Co-induced neuroinflammation by suppressing the release of proinflammatory biomarkers, reducing microgliosis, and modulating the ERK/MAPK pathway.

Modulatory Role of Curcumin on Cobalt-Induced Memory Deficit, Hippocampal Oxidative Damage, Astrocytosis, and Nrf2 Expression.

Chemical overexposure is a growing environmental risk factor for many medical issues. Cobalt toxicity from environmental, industrial, and medical exposure has previously been linked to neurological impairment. Hence, the current study looked into the neuroprotective potential of curcumin, a natural polyphenol contained in the spice turmeric, against cobalt-induced neurotoxicity. Adult rats were randomly divided into six groups as follows: control, 40 mg/kg cobalt chloride (CoCl2) only, 240 mg/kg curcumin only, 120 mg/kg or 240 mg/kg curcumin, or 100 mg/kg vitamin C co-administered with CoCl2. The administration was via oral route daily for 4 weeks. After that, neurobehavioral tests were undertaken to evaluate short-term spatial memory. Biochemical investigation was performed to determine the hippocampal levels of status via measures of SOD, CAT, GST, and LPO. Furthermore, immunohistochemical assessment of the expression of GFAP and Nrf2 in the hippocampus was carried out. In the CoCl2 group, the results showed altered behavioral responses, a decrease in antioxidant activities, increased expression of GFAP and the number of activated astrocytes, and decreased immunoexpression of Nrf2. These effects were mitigated in the curcumin- and vitamin C-treated groups. These results collectively imply that curcumin enhances memory functions in rats exposed to cobalt possibly by attenuating oxidative responses, mitigating astrocytosis, and modulating Nrf2 signaling.

Reference indices for evaluating kidney dimensions in children using anthropometric measurements.

BACKGROUND: Kidney pathologies often result in change in renal size. Knowledge of normal kidney sizes is important for screening, diagnosis, prognosis and follow-up management of paediatric renal diseases. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to establish the age-, height- and weight-matched kidney dimensions in apparently healthy Nigerian children. METHOD: A descriptive, cross-sectional study of right and left kidney parameters (length, width, thickness and volume) of 1315 school-aged Nigerian children was conducted over 8 months. Ages ranged from 5 to 17 years. Parameters were obtained using a General Electric (GE) LOGIC 400CL ultrasound machine. Kidney dimensions were correlated with age, sex and anthropometric measurements. RESULTS: Normative values for all the kidney parameters for each age, height and weight groups and also gender were established for the study population. The left kidneys were noted to be longer and thicker, and of more volume than the right kidneys. The right kidneys were seen to be wider (p < 0.01). Length of the left kidneys in females was noted to be more than those of the males in the age- and weight-matched categories (p < 0.05). The width of both kidneys was higher in the males in all the categories (p < 0.05). Males showed higher values of thickness and volume in the height category. All the renal parameters significantly correlated with body size indicators, except for body mass index. CONCLUSION: This study has established gender-, age-, weight- and height-specific range of values of the kidney parameters of apparently healthy children together with regression models.

Impact of overweight and obesity on the musculoskeletal system using lumbosacral angles.

BACKGROUND: Overweight and obesity have been identified as independent risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. However, the association between obesity and low back pain remains controversial. Little is known about the effects of overweight and obesity on the angles of the lumbosacral spine. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) on lumbosacral angles. METHODS: The effects of BMI and WHR on the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), lumbosacral angle (LSA), sacral inclination angle (°°), and lumbosacral disc angle (LSDA) of 174 overweight and obese subjects (test group) and 126 underweight and normal-weight subjects (control group) were analyzed. RESULTS: The test group had a significantly higher mean LSA, LLA, sacral inclination angle (SIA), and LSDA (P=0.001). A significant correlation was noted between BMI and LSA (P=0.001), LLA (P=0.001), SIA (P=0.001), and LSDA (P=0.03). There was also a positive relationship between WHR and LSA (P=0.012), LLA (P=0.009), SIA (P=0.02), and LSDA (P=0.01). CONCLUSION: There was an increase in lumbosacral angles in individuals with raised BMI and WHR. This may result in biomechanical changes in the lumbosacral spine, which increase the incidence of low back pain.

Five-year survey of medical student attrition in a medical school in Nigeria: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Student attrition represents a waste of career opportunity and, at times, results in a holistic loss of sense of self-worth for the students involved. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nature, causes, and impact of medical student attrition in Nigeria. METHOD: A pilot analysis was undertaken using the records of students who failed at medical school as a result of inability to pass the second MBBS examination at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, Nigeria, between 2002 and 2007. Some of these students were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Data analysis showed that 58 (7.8%) of the students admitted into preclinical class withdrew from their study. Thirty-six (62.1%) were males and the rest were females. Thirteen of those withdrawn were interviewed, and 53.8% of them believed they had poor academic ability, while 15.4% attributed their withdrawal to family pressure. No record of guidance or counseling session programs was noted for these students either at the point of withdrawal from the faculty and on the choice of a new career path. CONCLUSION: As a result of the high attrition rate due to low academic ability, efforts should be made to check students for evidence of this at the point of admission to medicine training. Also, more accommodating teaching programs should be encouraged in faculties to accommodate students with such challenges. Good guidance and counseling programs should be encouraged to handle these inevitable cases of attrition when they occur, to avoid the demoralizing low self-esteem that plagues these individuals for the rest of their lives.