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Azeez IA, Awogbindin IO, Olayinka JN, Folarin RO, Adamu AS, Ior LD, Shehu AM, Mukhtar AI, Ajeigbe OF, Emokpae AO, Usende IL, Babatunde BR, Yusha'u Y, Olateju OI, Kamoga R, Benson AIO, Oparaji KC, Owemidu IO, Iliyasu MO, Imam MI, Olopade JO. Neural stem cell research in Africa: current realities and future prospects. Biol Open 2022; 11:280534. [PMID: 36326097 PMCID: PMC9641530 DOI: 10.1242/bio.059574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neural stem cells (NSCs) are immature progenitor cells that are found in developing and adult brains that have the potential of dividing actively and renewing themselves, with a complex form of gene expression. The generation of new brain cells in adult individuals was initially considered impossible, however, the landmark discovery of human neural stem cells in the hippocampus has been followed by further discoveries in other discreet regions of the brain. Investigation into the current state in Africa of the research and use of NSCs shows relatively limited activities on the continent. Information on the African application of NSCs for modelling disease mechanisms, drug discovery, and therapeutics is still limited. The International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)-African Regional Committee (ARC), with support from the Company of Biologists, and the Movement Disorder Society, sponsored the first African Basic School on NSC in Ibadan, Nigeria, with the vision of bringing together young neuroscientists and physicians across different fields in neuroscience to learn from leaders who have applied NSCs in stem cell research, the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases, neuroanatomy, and neurotherapeutics. Twenty early-career researchers in academic institutions at junior and senior faculty cadres were selected from South Africa, Uganda and Nigeria. The students and organizer of the school, who wrote this review on the state of NSCs research in Africa, recommended the following: (1) other African countries can take a cue from South Africa and Nigeria in probing the phenomena of adult neurogenesis in unique animal species on the continent; (2) Africa should leverage the expertise and facilities of South African scientists and international collaborators in scaling up NSC research into these unique species and (3) Centers of Excellence should be established on the continent to serve as research hubs for training postgraduate students, and facilities for African scientists who trained overseas on NSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Idris A. Azeez
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Jos 1 , Jos, 930001 Nigeria
| | | | - Juliet N. Olayinka
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Afe Babalola University 3 , Ado-Ekiti, 360001 Nigeria
| | - Royhaan O. Folarin
- Department of Anatomy, Olabisi Onabanjo University 4 , Ago-Iwoye, 120107 Nigeria
| | - Abubakar S. Adamu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University 5 , Zaria, 810107 , Nigeria
| | - Lydia D. Ior
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Jos 6 , Jos, 930001 , Nigeria
| | - Asmau M. Shehu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Federal University Dutse 7 , Dutse, 720223 , Nigeria
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand 8 , Johannesburg, Wits 2050 , South Africa
| | - Abubakar I. Mukhtar
- Department of Human Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University 5 , Zaria, 810107 , Nigeria
| | - Olufunke F. Ajeigbe
- Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, 340112 9 Department of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Biochemistry Programme , , Nigeria
| | | | - Ifukibot L. Usende
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Abuja 11 , Abuja, 900105 , Nigeria
| | | | - Yusuf Yusha'u
- Department of Human Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University 12 , Zaria, 810107 , Nigeria
| | - Oladiran I. Olateju
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand 8 , Johannesburg, Wits 2050 , South Africa
| | - Ronald Kamoga
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Mbarara University of Science and Technology 13 , Mbarara P.O. Box 1410 , Uganda
| | - Ayoola I. O. Benson
- Department of Human Anatomy, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin 14 , Abakaliki, 482131 Nigeria
| | - Kenneth C. Oparaji
- Department of Physiology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike 15 , Abakaliki, 482131 , Nigeria
| | - Idowu O. Owemidu
- Department of Physiology, Kogi State University 16 , Anyigba, 272102 , Nigeria
| | - Musa O. Iliyasu
- Department of Anatomy, Kogi State University 17 , Anyigba, 272102 , Nigeria
| | - Maryam I. Imam
- Department of Human Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University 12 , Zaria, 810107 , Nigeria
| | - James O. Olopade
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan 18 , Ibadan, 200005 , Nigeria
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Usende IL, Olopade JO, Emikpe BO, Oyagbemi AA, Adedapo AA. Oxidative stress changes observed in selected organs of African giant rats ( Cricetomys gambianus) exposed to sodium metavanadate. Int J Vet Sci Med 2018; 6:80-89. [PMID: 30255083 PMCID: PMC6147385 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijvsm.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 02/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Vanadium is a contaminant of crude oil that released into the atmosphere through burning of fossil fuels. The mechanism by which it exerts toxic influences had not been fully elucidated in African giant rat (AGR). This study investigates the mechanisms of sodium metavanadate (SMV) induced oxidative stress in AGR. A total of 24 adult male AGR weighing 600-850 g were used. Animals were randomly divided into six groups. Groups 1, 3 and 5 served as control while groups 2, 4 and 6 were treated with intraperitoneal 3 mg/kg body weight of SMV for 3, 7 and 14 days, respectively. Serum, brain, liver, testes, kidneys, spleen and lungs were harvested for biochemical assays. SMV induced significant increase in malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, sulfhydryl (total thiol) and protein carbonyl levels but decreased non-protein thiol levels in tissues accessed. A significant decrease was observed in glutathione-S-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) levels in SMV treated rats compared to controls. Serum myeloperoxidase, xanthine oxidase and Advanced Oxidative Protein Products (AOPP) were markedly increased while nitrous oxide levels were significantly decreased in all treated groups. SMV exposure to AGR induced oxidative stress through generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and depletion of the antioxidant defence system. These conditions could become severe with prolonged exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifukibot L. Usende
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Abuja, Nigeria
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | | | | | - Ademola A. Oyagbemi
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Adeolu A. Adedapo
- Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
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