The Clinical Pathology Department conducts research that contributes to intervention strategies and safeguards of public health in Ghana. In view of this the Department carries out research into plant medicine development, drug interactions and regulation, bio-monitoring and prevention of poisoning from environmental toxicants (e.g. mycotoxins specifically aflatoxins and toxic heavy metals). The Department also provides specialized laboratory services in support of public health programmes.

Key Research Area of HOD
Toxicology/Pharmacology

Drug development Drug-drug/ herb-drug/ food-drug interactions and drug metabolizing enzymes

• Heavy metal studies

Facilities
Spectrophotometer
High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) instrument
Freeze dryer
Biosafety Cabinet
Lumex Mercury analyzer

Projects
Mycotoxin studies
i. Evaluation of palatability and acceptance of NovaSil- treated foods Investigators
ii. Modulation of rat liver microsomal protein-mediated aflatoxin biotransformation by Ghanaian vegetables
iii. Determination of fumonisins in weanimix

Drug Development
i. Chemicaland biological fingerprinting of Ghanaian medicinal plants
ii. Studies on Anti-viral and Anti-Parasitic Compounds from Selected Ghanaian Medicinal Plants: Toxicity of medicinal plants

Drug Interactions

1. Survey on prevalence of co-use of plant and orthodox medicines in the Ga East District of Ghana.
2. Cytochrome P450-mediated drug-drug and herb-drug interaction studies on drugs and herbal preparations used to treat malarial, tuberculosis and HIV

LABORATORY TEST

Laboratory tests conducted by the department include:

MYCOTOXINS

Total aflatoxin measurement (AFB1, AFB2, AG1 and AG2)

Aflatoxin M1 metabolite

Fumonisin (FB1) measurement

HEAVY METALS

Lead, Cadmium, Zinc, Selenium, Arsenic, Mercury, Copper

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY

Liver Function Test

Albumin

Direct bilirubin

Total bilirubin

Total protein

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)

Gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT)

Kidney Function Test

Urea

Creatinine

Blood urea nitrogen

Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, chloride)

Lipid Profile

Total Cholesterol

High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)

Low Density Lipoprotein (LDL)

Triglycerides

Glucose levels

Fasting blood glucose

Random blood glucose

PHYTOMEDICINE

Evaluation of Safety of herbal products – Acute, Subchronic and Chronic toxicity studies

Efficacy of herbal products – Anticancer and antimalarial activities