Anthony O. Okorodudu, Ph.D.

Professor

Director, Clinical Chemistry

Affiliations: Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences

Email: aookorod@utmb.edu

research interests

Intracellular ions are intricately involved in numerous metabolic processes, especially as cofactors in the enzymatic reactions and pathways within the cell. To ensure proper functioning of the cells, the intracellular ions must be maintained within relatively narrow concentration ranges. Understanding the regulation of the pathways and effect of drugs (i.e., cocaine, ethanol, cocaethylene) on the homeostasis of these ions are the focus in my laboratory. For example, the concentration of intracellular ionized magnesium [Mg2+]I has been reported to be between 200 to 800 ?mol/l, which represents 1-2% of the total cellular magnesium. However, the exact mechanisms involved in the homeostatic control of the [Mg2+]I relative to extracellular ionized magnesium concentration ([Mg2+]o) remain unclear. These studies will enhance our understanding of the diverse biological functions of intracellular ions, and aid in therapeutic interventions and/or prevention of drug toxicities. My research activity related to clinical services is focused on the metabolism and post-mortem drug distribution.

Methods used in my laboratory include immunoassays, electrophoresis, chromatography (TLC, GC, HPLC and GCMS), electrochemistry, tissue culture and spectroscopy (UV, fluorescence and visible).

Selected Publications

Adegboyega PA, Okorodudu AO: Intracellular ionized calcium and increasing doses of lithium chloride therapy in healthy Sprague-Dawley rats. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 49:1087-1091, 1994

Douzdjian V, Filos D, Okorodudu AO: Serum ionized magnesium changes during and immediately after liver transplantation. Ann Clin Lab Sci 25:297-305, 1995

Okorodudu AO, Adegboyega PA, Scholz CI: Intracellular calcium and hydrogen ions in diabetes mellitus. Ann Clin Lab Sci 25:394-401, 1995

Heikkinen T, Ghaffar F, Okorodudu AO, Chonmaitree T: Serum interleukin-6 in bacterial and nonbacterial acute otitis media. Pediatrics 102:296-299, 1998

Okorodudu AO, Elghetany MT, Yang H: Role of ionized magnesium in the homeostasis of cell: Intracellular threshold for Mg2+ mobilization in human platelets. Clin Chim Acta 303:147-154, 2001

Kaphalia BS, Cai P, Khan MF, Okorodudu AO,

Ansari GAS. Fatty Acid Ethyl Esters in Alcoholics:

Markers of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism and

their Relationship with Blood Alcohol Concentration. Alcohol (in press), 2004.

Ajayi AA, Ogungbade GO, Okorodudu AO. Sex

Hormone Regulation of Systemic Endothelial and

Renal Microvascular Reactivity in Type-2 Diabetes: Studies in Gonadectomized and Sham-Operated

Zucker Diabetic Rats. European Journal of Clinical Investigation 34:349-357, 2004.

Tacker DPH, Okorodudu AO. Evidence for Injurious Effect of Cocaethylene in Human Microvascular Endothelial Cells. Clin Chimica Acta 345 (1-2):69-77, 2004.