Department of Biochemistry
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Item ALABI, Kehinde Elizabeth(Covenant University Ota, 2025)Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a major health concern, particularly in Nigeria, where incidence and mortality are high. Globally, PCa is a leading malignancy among men. Genetic variations, such as single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), may influence PCa susceptibility and progression. This study investigates the association of three SNPs, rs11549465 (Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1A), rs3211938 (Cluster of Differentiation 36), and rs6152 (Androgen Receptor), with PCa risk and severity in Nigerian men. A case-control study was conducted involving 73 PCa patients and 80 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using the TaqMan assay, and allele and genotype frequencies were calculated. The rs6152 SNP showed a higher frequency of the A/G genotype in cases (24%) than controls (9.7%), with an odds ratio of 4.95 (95% CI: 1.54–17.35; p = 0.0091), suggesting a significant association with increased PCa risk. For rs11549465, the C/T genotype was more prevalent in cases (10.1%) than controls (2.6%), with an OR of 0.24 (95% CI: 0.02–1.33; p = 0.061), indicating a possible protective effect, though not statistically significant. The rs3211938 SNP showed no significant association with PCa risk. No investigated SNP showed a statistically significant association with the Gleason score. For rs11549465, the mean score for C/C was 7.34 compared with 7.75 for C/T (Mann–Whitney U = 66.0, p = 0.673). For rs3211938, T/T had a mean of 7.29 versus 7.64 for G/T (Mann–Whitney U = 199.0, p = 0.407). For rs6152, A/A, A/G, and G/G showed mean scores of 7.36, 6.00, and 7.80, respectively (Kruskal–Wallis H = 1.62, p = 0.445). These findings suggest a significant association between rs6152 and PCa risk in Nigerian men, highlighting the role of genetic factors in susceptibility. Further studies with larger cohorts are warranted to validate these associations and explore their potential in personalised medicine for PCa management in African populations.Item ASSESSMENT OF THE QUALITY ATTRIBUTES OF BIOTRANSFORMED IPOMEA INVOLUCRATA LEAVES(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) OLEKA-ARIWODO, Chiamaka Jennifer; Covenant University DissertationThe need for functional foods has found interest in underutilised leaves with potential health benefits. An underutilised plant, Ipomoea involucrata was used for this study while Amaranthus hybridus served as the control leaves for monitoring the edible status of the experimental leaves. The aim of this research is to assess the quality attributes of Ipomoea involucrata processed with a specific probiotic-aided fermentation into health-beneficial edible vegetable. I. involucrata leaves were collected, dried, and then submerged in LAB fermentation for 0, 24, 72, and 120 hours aseptically. Post fermentation test includes nutrition analyses (including mineral content), pH, antioxidant qualities, enzymatic tests, while vitamins and phytochemicals were determined by HPLC. According to the results, the pH of both plants decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Bacterial counts increased across all fermentation days in both plants. In I. involucrata, nutritional analysis showed a significant increase in carbohydrate and Ash, but a decrease in moisture and crude fiber. FRAP results were maintained, whereas DPPH scavenging capacity and protein content fluctuated across all fermentation days. LDH activity significantly reduced before increasing again, while α-amylase activity generally increased during the 5-day fermentation. In vitamin profiles, By Day 5, vitamin A, vitamin B2 reduced, while an increase in vitamin B9 were noticed. In I. involucrata, vitamin C increased on Day 3, whereas vitamin E initially dropped. According to the phytochemical analysis, rutin, catechin, resveratrol and kaempferol decreased, while the phenolic compounds like epicatechin and ellagic acid increased. Saponins revealed that stevioside increased and ginsenosides fluctuated. Mineral analysis significantly decreased in heavy elements including lead and cadmium. In this study, LAB fermentation improved the phytochemical and nutritional profile of I. involucrata, mainly by enriching bioactive substances, modifying vitamins and enzymes, and reducing toxic metals.Item ASSOCIATION OF COMT AND CYP1B1 POLYMORPHISMS WITH PROSTATE CANCER RISK IN NIGERIAN MEN(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) Pirisola, Ayomikun Joshua; Covenant University DissertationProstate cancer (PCa) disproportionately affects men of African descent, with Nigeria recording high mortality rates, yet genetic studies in this population remain sparse. This study investigated the association between COMT rs4680 Val158Met, rs9332377, and CYP1B1 rs1056836 genetic variants and PCa risk and severity in Nigerian men. This case-control study involved 65 histologically confirmed PCa patients aged (median) 65 years old and 59 healthy controls aged (median) 60 years old. Genomic DNA was extracted from whole blood. Genotyping was conducted via TaqMan real-time PCR. Chi-square tests were conducted to compare genotype/allele frequencies, and associations were estimated using unadjusted logistic regression odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals. Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman correlations were used to examine correlations with Gleason scores. Findings showed that there is a significant genotype and allele difference in COMT rs4680, where low-activity AA is the genotype that presents high risk (OR=9.50, 95% CI: 3.08-36.42, p<0.001 vs. GG), under genotypic as well as dominant models. In the case of rs9332377, the effect of the TT genotype showed a trend towards a protective effect but did not reach statistical significance (OR=0.21, 95% CI: 0.03-0.94, p=0.062 vs. CC). There were significant differences in CYP1B1 rs1056836, with the C alleles higher in cases (83.7% vs. 13.6%), and the GG risk being borderline (OR=4.074, p=0.056). None of the variants were significantly correlated with Gleason scores (p>0.05), although there was a trend in the case of rs1056836 (Spearman rho=0.263, p=0.089). These results suggest that genetic variation in COMT and CYP1B1 may contribute to PCa susceptibility among Nigerian men, potentially through impaired oestrogen detoxification pathways. Further validation in larger cohorts, with adjustments for environmental factors and comparisons across populations, is needed to clarify these associations.Item EVALUATION OF SYNTHETIC FLAVONOID BASED COMPOUNDS AS INHIBITORS OF Plasmodium falciparum TRANSKETOLASE(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) OROGUN, Yetunde Grace; Covenant University DissertationMalaria, primarily attributed to Plasmodium falciparum, remains a significant contributor to global mortality, with Africa experiencing the greatest burden, particularly in countries such as Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Mozambique. The rise in resistance to present therapies, including Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), underscores the urgent need for novel drug targets. Transketolase, a thiamine-dependent enzyme in the non-oxidative arm of the pentose phosphate pathway, is vital for parasite metabolism and structurally distinct from the human enzyme, making it a promising selective target. Twenty synthetic flavonoid-based compounds were evaluated as potential inhibitors of P. falciparum transketolase (PfTk). Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities, while ADMET profiling showed that most compounds complied with Lipinski’s rule. Notably, Compounds 6, 7, 11, and 13 were predicted to be orally bioavailable with favorable pharmacokinetic and drug-likeness properties. The compounds were further tested in vitro against PfTk and human transketolase (hTk), with oxythiamine as the positive control, and cytotoxicity was assessed using hemolysis assays on human red blood cells. The results demonstrated that several compounds exhibited high potency and selective inhibition of PfTk with minimal activity on hTk. Among them, Compounds 6, 7, and 10 emerged as the most promising leads, combining high selectivity, oral bioavailability, and favorable safety margins. Additionally, Compounds 11 and 13, analogues of Compound 10, showed good drug-likeness and oral bioavailability, indicating potential for structural optimization. Hemolysis assays confirmed minimal red blood cell lysis across all compounds, supporting their safety. In conclusion, this study validates PfTk as a viable drug target and identifies Compounds 6, 7, and 10 as strong lead candidates, with Compounds 11 and 13 as promising analogues for further optimization and development of safe, effective antimalarial agents.Item EFFECTS OF INTERLEUKIN- 6 MEDIATED INFLAMMATION ON TELOMERASE EXPRESSION IN MALARIA PATIENTS(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) FIAMITIA, Carrin; Covenant University DissertationMalaria remains a major global health burden that mostly affects young children in the African region, which has been associated with cellular aging and immune system exhaustion that is potentially mediated through telomere shortening and altered telomerase activity. The influence of malaria on the catalytic subunit hTERT, and how it modulates telomerase expression, in relation to the proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is yet to be established. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the relationship between IL-6, IFN-γ levels, and hTERT gene expression in individuals with malaria infection. Ethical approval was obtained from the Covenant Health Research Ethics Committee (CHREC) before commencement of the study. A total of 50 malaria-infected samples were collected from ACE-Medicare and Covenant University Medical Center. Plasma generated from venous blood samples (5 ml) was separated by centrifugation, collected, and stored at –80 °C for subsequent cytokine analysis. Total RNA was extracted for cDNA synthesis and RT-qPCR-based quantification of hTERT expression. RNA concentration, integrity, and purity were analyzed using a Nanodrop spectrophotometer. A portion of the plasma (100 μl) was used for cytokine analysis using human IL-6 and IFN-γ using ELISA technique. Interleukin-6 levels (17.47 ± 25.11 pg/ml) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the case compared to the control group (0.54 ± 0.46 pg/ml). The interferon gamma levels (117.74 ± 51.62 pg/ml) in the case group showed no significant difference (p>0.05) compared to the control group (104.50 ± 55.23 pg/ml). The Ct values of the hTERT gene expression were 33.38±4.48 in malaria patients in Nigeria, which is a possible standard range. For the first time, this study reports hTERT gene expression levels in Nigerian malaria patients and IL-6 as potential biomarkers for monitoring malaria progression, thereby providing a valuable tool for precision malaria treatment in NigeriaItem DETECTION OF kdr AND rdl MUTATIONS IN PERMETHRIN-EXPOSED Anopheles gambiae(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) AKANNI, Mosunmola Hannah; Covenant University DissertationThe emergence of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors compromises the effectiveness of vector control interventions, including long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying. This study assessed insecticide resistance, species composition, and the mechanism of resistance in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes. Larvae and pupae were gotten from Nestle, Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria and were reared to adulthood at the Covenant University Insectary, 3-5 days non-blood fed female mosquitoes were exposed to 0.75% permethrin according WHO tube assay protocol, polymerase chain reaction was used to detect Anopheles gambiae species and allele specific polymerase chain reaction was used to detect kdr and rdl mutation. WHO susceptibility assays revealed resistance to permethrin. Molecular identification confirmed that An. gambiae was the predominant species, indicating a high risk of malaria transmission. Genotyping of the kdr west (L1014F) and rdl loci showed high frequencies of resistant alleles, with the heterozygous RS genotype being the most common in both loci. Hardy–Weinberg analyses revealed a non-random distribution of genotypes, reflecting selection pressure from insecticide exposure. Co-occurrence analysis suggested that kdr and rdl mutations largely occur independently, indicating that multi-resistance is emerging but not yet widespread. This study provides insight into the genetic basis and prevalence of insecticide resistance in malaria vectors, suggesting the need for continuous surveillance and evidence-based vector control approaches to preserve the efficacy of malaria interventions in Nigeria.Item ASSESSMENT OF FGFR2 AND FGFR4 POLYMORPHISMS IN NIGERIAN BREAST CANCER PATIENTS(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) OGBODO, Peace Nzubechukwu; Covenant University DissertationBreast cancer (BC) persists as the most frequently occurring cancer in females, with a growing incidence percentage in sub-Saharan Africa. BC has been correlated with FGFR2 and FGFR4 genetic variations in different populations. However, the data on Nigerian women are scarce. This study investigated the association of FGFR2 rs1219648 (A>G), FGFR2 rs2981582 (A>G), and FGFR4 rs351855 (G>A) with BC risk in a Nigerian cohort. A case-control design was employed involving 75 BC cases and 75 controls. Using blood samples, genomic DNA was extracted, and SNP genotyping was conducted with the use of TaqMan® allelic discrimination assay. Genotype and allele frequencies comparison was conducted using chi-square, odds ratios, and Fisher’s exact tests. The FGFR2 rs1219648 G allele was significantly more common (48.0%) in cases than controls (35.3%), with the GG genotype conferring a significant increase in risk (OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.07 - 6.64, p = 0.039). FGFR2 rs2981582 showed no significant genotype-level association, but the minor A allele was more common in cases (43.2%) than controls (31.3%) (p = 0.045). FGFR4 rs351855 was not significantly associated with BC. None of the SNPs showed association with tumour immunohistochemical subtypes. The findings identify FGFR2 rs1219648 as a significant risk factor for BC in Nigerian women and highlight the need for larger, multi-centre studies to validate these associations.Item IMPACT OF SELECTED ESSENTIAL OILS AND PIPERONYL BUTOXIDE ON PYRETHROID RESISTANCE IN Anopheles gambiae IN OTA(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) JEGEDE, Precious Osekafore; Covenant University DissertationMalaria remains a major public health challenge in Nigeria, with rising pyrethroid resistance in Anopheles gambiae undermining vector control strategies. Resistance is largely driven by detoxification enzymes and target-site mutations. Although piperonyl butoxide (PBO) is widely used as an insecticide synergist, its environmental and health risks highlight the need for safer alternatives. This study evaluated the potential of basil and geranium essential oils to inhibit detoxification enzymes, enhance permethrin efficacy, and compared their effects to PBO in An. gambiae. Adult females were collected, morphologically identified, and allocated into treatment groups for WHO susceptibility bioassays, enzyme activity assays, and allele-specific PCR (AS-PCR) for kdr mutation detection. Mosquitoes were exposed to permethrin alone (0.75%), basil or geranium essential oils at 1 (10 μL/mL), 5 (50 μL/mL), and 10% (100 μL/mL) v/v, or sub-lethal synergist assays combining permethrin (0.75%) with basil (1%), geranium (1%), or PBO (4%). Permethrin alone produced 25% mortality, confirming resistance according to WHO criteria. As separate insecticides, basil oil induced 0, 90, and 100% mortality at 10, 50, and 100 μL/mL, respectively, while geranium oil induced 10, 100, and 100% mortality at the same concentrations. In synergist assays, basil + permethrin achieved 25% mortality, geranium + permethrin 55%, and PBO + permethrin 60%. Enzyme assays showed no significant variation in GST activity, whereas cytochrome P450 activity was significantly elevated in permethrin-only treatments (p < 0.05) but remained near-control levels with basil, geranium, and PBO. AS-PCR detected a high frequency of the kdr-west L1014F allele (R = 0.76), with most mosquitoes homozygous resistant (RR). These findings confirm strong pyrethroid resistance in An. gambiae from Ota and highlight geranium oil and basil oil, as promising environmentally friendly insecticides and synergists for malaria vector control.Item COMPARATIVE EXPRESSION PROFILING OF SELECTED GLUTATHIONE S-TRANSFERASE GENES IN BLOOD-FED AND DELTAMETHRIN-EXPOSED Anopheles gambiae(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) FOLAMADE, Joshua Kayode; Covenant University DissertationMalaria remains a leading public health challenge in sub-Saharan Africa, with Nigeria contributing the highest global burden. Anopheles gambiae is the major vector of this disease in Nigeria. Vector control strategies rely heavily on pyrethroid-based tools such as long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying. Metabolic resistance mediated by glutathione S-transferases (GSTs), particularly GSTe2, GSTe3, and GSTMS3, has been implicated in pyrethroid detoxification. Meanwhile, blood feeding induces profound physiological and molecular changes in mosquitoes, including alterations in detoxification pathways, suggesting a potential interaction with insecticide resistance. This study investigated how blood feeding and deltamethrin exposure influence the expression of GSTe2, GSTe3, and GSTMS3 in An. gambiae from Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria. Mosquitoes were reared from field-collected larvae and assigned to four experimental groups: blood-fed + deltamethrin exposed, blood-fed only, sugar-fed + deltamethrin exposed, and sugar-fed only (control). Susceptibility to deltamethrin was assessed using WHO bioassays and gene expression was quantified by qPCR. Results showed that blood-fed mosquitoes were significantly more susceptible to deltamethrin than sugar-fed counterparts, with higher mortality and faster knockdown times. At the molecular level, GSTe2 expression was generally down-regulated following deltamethrin exposure, while GSTe3 and GSTMS3 exhibited variable responses depending on feeding status. It was observed that blood feeding was the most consistent factor influencing GST expression, with insecticide exposure exerting context-dependent effects. These findings highlight that blood feeding modulates detoxification gene expression and susceptibility outcomes in An. gambiae, which implies dynamic physiological influences on resistance phenotypes. By integrating ecological behavior with molecular resistance mechanisms, this study underscores the importance of accounting for feeding status in resistance monitoring and vector control strategies. Locally relevant data such as these are critical for guiding malaria control interventions in Nigeria’s high-burden regions.Item EFFECTS OF INTERLEUKIN- 6 MEDIATED INFLAMMATION ON TELOMERASE EXPRESSION IN MALARIA PATIENTS(Covenant University Ota, 2025-09) FIAMITIA, Carrin; Covenant University DissertationMalaria remains a major global health burden that mostly affects young children in the African region, which has been associated with cellular aging and immune system exhaustion that is potentially mediated through telomere shortening and altered telomerase activity. The influence of malaria on the catalytic subunit hTERT, and how it modulates telomerase expression, in relation to the proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) is yet to be established. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the relationship between IL-6, IFN-γ levels, and hTERT gene expression in individuals with malaria infection. Ethical approval was obtained from the Covenant Health Research Ethics Committee (CHREC) before commencement of the study. A total of 50 malaria-infected samples were collected from ACE-Medicare and Covenant University Medical Center. Plasma generated from venous blood samples (5 ml) was separated by centrifugation, collected, and stored at –80 °C for subsequent cytokine analysis. Total RNA was extracted for cDNA synthesis and RT-qPCR-based quantification of hTERT expression. RNA concentration, integrity, and purity were analyzed using a Nanodrop spectrophotometer. A portion of the plasma (100 μl) was used for cytokine analysis using human IL-6 and IFN-γ using ELISA technique. Interleukin-6 levels (17.47 ± 25.11 pg/ml) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the case compared to the control group (0.54 ± 0.46 pg/ml). The interferon gamma levels (117.74 ± 51.62 pg/ml) in the case group showed no significant difference (p>0.05) compared to the control group (104.50 ± 55.23 pg/ml). The Ct values of the hTERT gene expression were 33.38±4.48 in malaria patients in Nigeria, which is a possible standard range. For the first time, this study reports hTERT gene expression levels in Nigerian malaria patients and IL-6 as potential biomarkers for monitoring malaria progression, thereby providing a valuable tool for precision malaria treatment in Nigeria.