Nutritional composition, heavy metal contents and lipid quality of five marine fish species from Cameroon coast

The nutritional value, heavy metal content and lipid quality of five marine fishes from, Cameroon coast were be investigated. Fish samples from Ilisha africana, Sardinella, maderensis, Cyprinus carpio, Arius parkii and Ethmalosa fimbriata were collected at, the Douala sea port, carried to the laboratory, washed with distilled water and, processed. Proximal composition, minerals, lipid quality and heavy metal analyses, were performed using AOAC standard methods. Results show that proteins (18.43%), and lipids (3.69%) contents were higher in Ilisha africana. Cyprinus carpio had the, highest ash content (4.59%). Contents of minerals and heavy metals were found as, follows: P > Mg > K > Ca > Na > Fe > Zn > Cu > Mn and Hg > Pb > Cd > As. Oils extracted from C. carpio, A. parkii and E. fimbriata were semi-siccative while those of I. africana and S. maderensis were siccative. Thus, these fish species are good sources of proteins and, minerals that can be used for managing mineral deficiencies in humans and animals.

Evaluation of oxidative stress and antioxidant status of pregnant women suffering from malaria in Cameroon

Oxidative stress is thought to be involved in the pathophysiology of malaria, especially in pregnancy where natural resistance is markedly reduced. In the present study we investigated oxidative stress in 315 pregnant women out of which 159 had Plasmodium falciparum malaria and 154 controls. We evaluated the level of lipid peroxidation products (MDA level) in the plasma, the activity of erythrocyte antioxidant defense enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD, EC: 1.15.1.1) and catalase (Cat, EC: 1.11.1.6) as well as the ability to resist oxidative stress by the FRAP (Ferric Reducing Ability of Plasma) assay. Total erythrocyte protein levels were also examined. For the two groups of patients, several differences between the biochemical parameters tested were found. Median parasitaemia in women with malaria was 25,392 parasites/μl of blood (Range1200-82000), while in controls we had no parasites found in thin and thick smears. Levels of lipid peroxidation products (MDA) were significantly higher in patients with parasitemia than in healthy asymptomatic volunteers (mean: 0.844 ± 0.290 and 0.384 ± 0.129 respectively, p<0.001). This MDA level was higher in primigravidea and also correlates well with parasite density (p<0.001). Catalase activity in erythrocytes of women with malaria did not differ statistically from that of controls. In contrast, SOD activity of patients with malaria was found to be significantly higher than that of controls (mean: 0.7899 ± 0.2777 and 0.4263 ± 0.2629 respectively, p<0.05). FRAP values declined, from parasitemic patients (1.4619 ± 0.6565) compare to controls (2.4396 ± 0.8883, p<0.05), particularly in the first and third trimester of gestation (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). Finally, total erythrocyte protein concentrations of women with malaria did not differ from that of the controls. Our results suggest an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants in pregnant women suffering from malaria, a situation which could lead to severe damage for either the mother or the fetus. Therefore, further research should be done to assess the potential benefits of antioxidant supplementation for the pregnant women suffering from malaria.

Clinical presentation, haematological indices and management of children with severe and uncomplicated malaria in Douala, Cameroon

This study carried out from January to June 2007, was undertaken to describe the clinical presentation of childhood malaria in Douala, a meso-endemic area as far as malaria transmission is concerned. One hundred and seventy eight children were enrolled after informed consent of their parents. The sample characteristics were recorded and clinical as well as preliminary laboratory investigations were performed. Thirty eight children coming for vaccination and counselling was targeted to serve as control. According to the results obtained, cerebral malaria (CM) seems to be associated with young age, whilst Malaria anaemia (MA) was predominant among older children. Hyperpyrexia and hyperparasitaemia were high among CM patients and 11.1% of them died, however, no neurological squeal was noticed immediately after discharge on those who survived. Haemoglobin and glycaemia were low on MA and CM patients; these groups had low percentage in bed nets utilization as well. These results suggest that the clinical presentation of the disease differ with the geographic location and malaria disease features varies according to the severity. Such studies could contribute to the management of the disease.

Systemic levels of carotenoids from mangoes and papaya consumed in three forms (juice, fresh and dry slice)

BACKGROUND

Vitamin A deficiency is a public health problem in Cameroon. Data on the bioavailability of carotenoid in fruits currently consumed in Cameroon are scarce.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the systemic levels of carotenoids from mangoes and papaya consumed as juice, fresh or dried slices.

METHODS

Two groups of seven healthy volunteers (24 and 25 years of age; body mass index: 21 and 22 kg/m(2) respectively for subjects fed mango and papaya), were submitted to three types of meal treatments (juice, fresh and dried fruit). On the experiment day, meals served to fasting subjects during breakfast, included bread, yogurt and one of the three forms of fruit. All the treatments lasted only one day during which blood samples were collected three times; during fasting (T(0)), 4 h (T(4)) and 8 h (T(8)) after the test meal. The carotenoids and retinol contents were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography method.

RESULTS

From the major carotenoids present in papaya and mangoes, lutein, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene were found in considerable amounts. Lycopene and cryptoxanthin that were the major carotenoids in papaya samples appeared in low amounts in the chylomicrons. Significant correlations were observed between these carotenoids (at T(0), T(4) and T(8)). The three forms of consumption contributed to the rise of serum retinol levels. A comparison between the three forms revealed that papaya and mangoes consumed in form of juice or fresh fruit are the best forms because they had higher bioavailability values.

CONCLUSION

Association of these different forms of consumptions could lead to a better availability of these fruits throughout the year and therefore efficiently contribute to improve vitamin A status of the population.

[Effect of Onchocerca volvulus infestation on plasma vitamin A concentration in school children in a rural region of Cameroon]

Vitamin A deficiency is known to be associated with immune dysfunction and common childhood infections. However, little is known about the relationship between vitamin A deficiency and onchocerciasis in children. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin A deficiency and to investigate the relationship between vitamin A status and onchocerciasis. A total of 231 children, aged 6 to 15 years, were randomly selected between March 1995 and April 1996 at Yambassa and Balamba (central province of Cameroon). They were examined: we determined their vitamin A status and whether they had onchocerciasis. We diagnosed onchocerciasis by skin biopsy and the detection of antibodies against Onchocerca volvulus in the blood. We found that 101 of the 231 children examined (43.73%) had palpable nodules and/or microfilariae and the remaining 130 (56.27%) had been exposed to the parasite but had no clinical signs of infestation. Some children tested negative for skin microfilariae but positive by ELISA. Thus, 197 (85.28%) children were found to be infested with O. volvulus (group A) and the remaining 34 (14.72%) were found to have been exposed to the parasite but to have no clinical signs of onchocerciasis (group B). Plasma vitamin A concentrations were marginal, with concentrations below 0.7 mumol/l (20 mug/dl) recorded for 82.25% of the subjects. Children with onchocerciasis were more likely to have low vitamin A status. The mean plasma vitamin A concentration of infested children (0.52 +/- 0.14 mumol/l) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of the children exposed but not infested. The parasite, O. volvulus, uses the vitamin A present in host tissues during its development, leading to a decrease in plasma retinol concentration.

Vitamin A and E status of some rural populations in the north of Cameroon

The vitamin A and E status was evaluated in 279 volunteer subjects, 3 to 75 years old (131 males and 148 females) from 8 villages in the north of Cameroon by fluorimetric methods. The results obtained showed that: the mean serum vitamin A level was 16.6 +/- 0.7 microgram % (ranging from 2.1 to 69.3 micrograms %) and vitamin E, 499.9 +/- 19.3 micrograms % (ranging from 222.7 to 1893.1 micrograms %); the percentage deficiency of vitamin A among the subjects was 71.7% and that of vitamin E was 66% (vitamin A levels < 20 micrograms/100 ml) vitamin E levels < 500 micrograms/100 ml; children of ages ranging from 3 to 15 years, constituted about 50% of the subjects and were significantly deficient in vitamin A (P < 0.001). Significant correlation was observed between the serum levels of vitamin A and E (P < 0.001). The results from this study revealed that vitamin A and E deficiencies vary from one village to another and constitute one of the major public health problems in the area.

[Lipid profile in a rural population in western Cameroon]

Cardiovascular disease is becoming more prevalent in Cameroon. To help understand the underlying situation, we determined the blood levels of various forms of cholesterol total cholesterol (TC), free cholesterol (FC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and serum lipid concentrations : total lipids (TL) triglycerides (TG), phospholipids (PL), in 176 volunteers chosen randomly in west Cameroon. The six variables measured were all in the normal range. There were no significant differences between the two sexes and other characteristics of the subjects. There were significant associations between: age and atherogenic ratio of cholesterol (ARC): age and TL (at p < 0.01); age and TC; TL and TC; ARC and TC and TL and TG (at p < 0.001). Analysis of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease indicated that 17.79% of the women and 11.36% of the men had two or more risk factors.