Markers of lipid and protein peroxidation among Nigerian university students with dysmenorrhea

Introduction

Oxidative stress has been associated with primary dysmenorrhea, but studies that have assessed multiple markers of peroxidation are scarce. This study investigated malondialdehyde (MDA), nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and protein carbonyls (PrCarb) as markers of oxidative stress and antioxidant status by serum alpha tocopherol level in young Nigerian women with dysmenorrhea.

Materials and Methods

In a case-control design, 45 female undergraduates who had had regular menses for at least six previous cycles were recruited consecutively from a university clinic as cases and 45 apparently healthy age-matched counterparts in their hall of residences as controls. Serum levels of MDA, 3-NT, and PrCarb were determined using standard methods, and the values were compared between cases and controls using Mann-Whitney U-test and graphs.

Results

Study participants' ages range from 16 to 29 years (mean = 22.0 ± 3.1 years). Serum level of 3-NT (45.89 ± 37.11 vs 21.27 ± 13.94 ng/mL) and MDA (0.75 ± 0.19 vs 0.45 ± 0.11 nmol/mL) was significantly higher in cases than controls. Plasma alpha tocopherol was significantly lower in cases (7.51 ± 1.95 μmol/L) than controls (8.98 ± 1.95 μmol/L). Conversely, PrCarb levels were not significantly difference between cases and controls. There were significant correlations between alpha tocopherol and 3-NT (r = -0.285; P = 0.007) and MDA (r = -0.321; P = 0.002), whereas this relationship was not shown with PrCarb (r = -0.073; P = 0.496).

Conclusion

Remarkable lipid and protein peroxidation observed in young Nigerian women with dysmenorrhea was accompanied by correspondingly low level of serum alpha tocopherol suggesting potential need for vitamin E supplementation.

Changes in mediators of inflammation and pro-thrombosis after 12 months of dietary modification in adults with metabolic syndrome

OBJECTIVE

This study evaluated the effects of a 12-month dietary modification on indices of inflammation and pro-thrombosis in adults with metabolic syndrome (MS).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This longitudinal study involved 252 adults with MS recruited from the Bodija market, Ibadan and its environs. Participants were placed on 20%, 30% and 50% calories obtained from protein, total fat and carbohydrate respectively and were followed up monthly for 12 months. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured using standard methods. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)], interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured using spectrophotometric methods and ELISA as appropriate. Data was analysed using ANCOVA, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant.

RESULTS

After 6 months of dietary modification, there was a significant reduction in waist circumference (WC), while the levels of HDL-C, fibrinogen and PAI-1 were significantly increased when compared with the corresponding baseline values. However, WC and fibrinogen reduced significantly, while HDL-C and IL-10 significantly increased after 12 months of dietary modification as compared with the respective baseline values.

CONCLUSION

Long-term regular dietary modification may be beneficial in ameliorating inflammation and pro-thrombosis in metabolic syndrome.

Toxicological studies on the purified protoberberine alkaloidal fraction of Enantia chlorantha Oliv (ANNONACEAE)

We have examined the cumulative effects of the protoberberine alkaloidal fraction (AF) of the stein bark ethanolic extracts of Enantia chlorantha on some body tissues and organs as well as on certain biochemical and metabolic parameters in mice. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of the alkaloidal fractions of Enantia chlorantha were carried out in 120 mice using oral and intraperitoneal administrations. Fatality was not recorded in mice injected intraperitonealy with 100 mg kg(-1) and 150 mg kg(-1) dose level but larger doses resulted in death and the mean lethal dose (LD50) toxicity studies showed neither behavioural/untoward reactions nor death in any of the animals. The histopathological examination of the test animals when compared with the control revealed that, the sub-chronic use of the alkaloidal fractions does not have any pathological effects (lesion) on the organs examined (the stomach, the kidney, the oesophagus and the liver) except the lungs which showed mild and moderate oedema. The biochemical and metabolic analysis of the mice plasma did not show any significant difference when the corresponding values for the test mice were compared with the control mice (P > 0.05) at the end of the 14 days treatment using both 20 mg kg(-1) and 2 mg kg(-1) dose levels. The results obtained in this study suggest the relative safety of short-term use of preparations containing E. chlorantha, a very popular antimalarial herbal remedy in Southern Nigeria.

Plasma and semen ascorbic levels in spermatogenesis

BACKGROUND

Conflicting reports on the mechanism of action of ascorbic acid level in male reproductive system exist and very little is known about the ascorbic acid status in Nigerian males with weak fertility.

METHOD

Ascorbate that accumulates preferentially in the testis, the lipid and lipoprotein levels were determined in the plasma of Nigerian males. Twenty-seven (27) male with inadequate spermatogenesis (36+/-1.0) years, with mean value of 15.6+/-6.90 million/cm3 sperm count and fourteen (14) controls (34+/-0.6) years, with mean value of 108.0+/-25.42 million/cm3 sperm count were selected for this study. The anthropometric indices were also determined.

RESULTS

There were highly significant decreases in sperm cell count, percentage motility and percentage vitality (p<0.001) in each case, while percentage morphologically abnormal sperm cells was significantly elevated (p<0.001) compared with the control values. There were significant decreases in the seminal and plasma ascorbic acid concentrations (p<0.001) in the males who had inadequate spermatogenesis compared with the control values. The plasma total cholesterol (TC) and body mass index (BMI) were not significantly different from the corresponding control values, but the plasma low density lipoprotein (LDLC) (p<0.001) and triglyceride (TG)(p<0.01) concentrations were significantly increased in all the patients. While the plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC)(p<0.001) was significantly decreased compared with the controls. The plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels did not demonstrate any definite pattern with the sperm characteristics.

CONCLUSION

The decreased semen ascorbate level may play a significant role in the reduced sperm characteristics in these patients.

Decreased serum magnesium and zinc levels: atherogenic implications in type-2 diabetes mellitus in Nigerians

Serum magnesium, zinc and total cholesterol were evaluated in 40 Nigerian patients suffering from type-2 diabetes mellitus (21M, 19F) and 20 (14M, 6F) apparently normal non diabetic control subjects. The mean age of the diabetic patients was similar to that of controls (p > 0.05). The mean duration of the disease was (4.7 + 0.7 SEM) in these patients. Fasting blood glucose and total cholesterol were significantly higher in diabetics than in non diabetic control subjects (p > 0.001). The serum total cholesterol showed inter-group variation when the patients were classified into four different age groups. In contrast, the serum level of magnesium (Mg) and zinc (Zn) were significantly lower in diabetics than in controls (p > 0.001). There were no significant correlation between glucose and the minerals, Mg. and Zn. Serum total cholesterol showed a significant positive correlation with magnesium (r = 0.6: p > 0.001), while the correlation with zinc was not significant. In type-2 diabetic mellitus the concentration of both Mg and Zn levels were significantly reduced, probably suggesting lower antioxidant status in this condition. The implication is the greater susceptibility to LDL-cholesterol oxidation. The attendant risk of development of premature Coronary Heart Disease is discussed. Magnesium and zinc are nutritional minerals that play crucial roles in the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.

Selective cholesterol deposition in the kidney tissue of rats fed palm kernel oil diet

Plasma and tissue lipids were determined in twenty-four rats fed on locally prepared 'Ogi' diet containing palm kernel oil (PKO), red palm oil (RPO) and mixture of both oils. Fasting blood sample was obtained from each animal by cardiac puncture under light ether anesthesia after feeding on different diets for twelve weeks. There were significant variations in the mean liver, kidney, spleen (p < 0.001, p < 0.03, p < 0.002) tissue weights in the different dietary groups compared with the corresponding control values. The plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride and lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations in the dietary group showed no significant changes when compared with the corresponding control values. The liver, spleen and heart total cholesterol concentrations were not significantly different from the corresponding values in the control group, but within group analysis showed significantly elevated total cholesterol in the kidney tissue of rats consuming PKO diet (p < 0.001). The total cholesterol level in rats consuming PKO diet was significantly higher than the corresponding concentration in those consuming the diet containing a mixture of PKO + RPO [p < 0.02] and control (p < 0.02) diets. There was also a significant increased in the kidney tissue cholesterol of rats fed RPO diet when compared with the corresponding control value (p < 0.05). The histological findings revealed no abnormality except in rats fed on PKO and RPO diets where nephrocalcinosis was found.

The effects of coffee consumption on serum lipids and lipoprotein in healthy individuals

The changes in total serum cholestrol, serum triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol after twenty eight (28) days of consumption of moderate quantity of a commercial coffee preparation (NESCAFE brand) were studied in 30 human subjects consisting of 20 male and 10 female healthy adults. Significant increases in the mean total serum cholesterol concentration (110.8-126.5 mg/100 mls) and LDL- cholesterol concentration (78.4-94.5 mg/100 ml) were observed in the subjects. No significant differences were obtained in the mean HDL cholesterol concentration and in the mean serum triglyceride levels. The differences observed in the mean total serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations in the individual male and female groups studied were not statistically significant. The results from this study suggest that short-term consumption of coffee may increase the total serum cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels. It is therefore possible that long-term consumption of coffee may lead to clinically significant alterations in serum lipid profile and could be important in the aetiology of atherosclerotic vascular diseases such as coronary heart disease.

Influence of baseline values. II: Variations in plasma lipoprotein fractions during doxazosin treatment for hypertension

Forty-two Nigerian hypertensive men and women aged 40 to 60 years treated with doxazosin for 12 consecutive months were studied. Before the doxazosin therapy, all the patients had their baseline lipoprotein fractions determined and that was used to classify the patients into 'low', 'medium' and 'high' baseline values. The assays were repeated 4 times at every 3 months during the 12-month treatment with doxazosin. The mean high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) levels were significantly reduced in the patients with high baseline values, and remained unchanged for the patients with low and medium baseline values during doxazosin therapy. Low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC) levels were apparently reduced in all the groups and this was significant for the patients with high baseline values. The mean levels of very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDLC) increased in the patients with low baseline values, and decreased in the patients with medium and high baseline values during the 12 months of doxazosin therapy. We therefore conclude that although the overall risk of developing coronary heart disease as measured by the risk predictor index LDLC/HDLC ratio was not affected by the baseline values of the patients, it is, however, important to note that adverse lipoprotein changes such as raised VLDLC and reduced HDLC may be seen in patients with low and high baseline values, respectively, during doxazosin treatment for hypertension. These observations will call for more serious monitoring of these lipoprotein fractions in patients with variable baseline values, by physicians and all health workers concerned during doxazosin treatment for hypertension.

Influence of baseline values. I: Effects on plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels during doxazosin treatment for hypertension

Forty-six African patients with essential hypertension aged 40 to 65 years had plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride levels determined at four different periods during a 12-month treatment with doxazosin. The patients were classified according to their pretreatment (baseline) values into 'low', 'medium' and 'high' baseline value groups. The mean total cholesterol levels significantly decreased in the three baseline groups while mean triglyceride levels reduced only in the patients that belonged to the medium and high baseline value groups. The baseline values of total cholesterol did not influence the beneficial cholesterol changes in all the patients, while the lack of significant favorable triglyceride changes was influenced by the low baseline values of triglyceride of the patients during doxazosin treatment. A similar study involving lipoprotein fractions and sub-fractions is also in progress.

Plasma electrolytes, total cholesterol, liver enzymes, and selected antioxidant status in protein energy malnutrition

Golden and Ramdath proposed the free radical theory of kwashiorkor, suggesting that the changes seen in kwashiorkor may be the result of an imbalance between the production and safe disposal of free radicals. In malnourished children, mineral metabolism and antioxidant status need renewed attention especially in relation to cause and functional significance of the changes in concentration of these substances. In the present study, the modified Wellcome classification was used to classify the protein energy malnourished children into kwashiorkor marasmic-kwashiorkor, marasmus and underweight. Twenty-six healthy and normal children were used as controls. Standard procedures were used for the analyses of the biochemical parameters. Our results showed that plasma total cholesterol, sodium, potassium and bicarbonate, beta-carotene, retinol and uric acid were significantly lower in the malnourished group than the control group (P < 0.05), while transaminases were significantly increased in the malnourished group (P < 0.05). These findings suggest an altered electrolyte and antioxidant status in protein energy malnutrition.

Increased high density lipoprotein cholesterol in adult nephrotic syndrome in Nigeria

Forty-eight adult subjects consisting of 28 patients with nephrotic syndrome and 20 control subjects were studied. The plasma levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol were all significantly elevated in the patients with nephrotic syndrome. The elevations in plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations and the ratio of LDL cholesterol/HDL cholesterol were also significant. On the other hand, there was a significant reduction in the ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol in the nephrotics. Our results suggest altered lipid and lipoprotein metabolism in adult nephrotic syndrome. The significant increase in low density lipoprotein cholesterol and the reduction in the ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol, despite the high HDL cholesterol, probably suggests an increased risk for developing coronary heart disease in Nigerian adults suffering from nephrotic syndrome. It is therefore suggested that patient-management strategies for nephrotic syndrome should include lowering of cholesterol by dietary and/or pharmacological therapies.

Abnormal serum alkaline and acid phosphatase isoenzymes in female breast cancer patients

Serum total, different isoforms of both alkaline and acid phosphatases, liver function enzymes, calcium, inorganic phosphate, heamatocrit, white blood cells and platelet counts were determined in 50 female patients suffering from breast cancer. The serum total alkaline and total acid phosphatases within the breast cancer group were variable with significant elevation of both enzymes compared with the corresponding control values. The activities of alanine and aspartate transferases were higher than the control values, while the decreases in serum albumin and heamatocrit were statistically significant. In the breast cancer patients, the increases in the activities of both heat and urea labile alkaline phosphatases were significant. Similarly, in the patients, the tartrate-labile acid phosphatases activity was significantly elevated while the difference in tartrate resistant activity was not significant. In 9 patients (18%), both total alkaline and acid phosphatases were excessively raised when compared with the control. The increased activities of urea-labile and heat-labile alkaline phosphatases as well as tartrate-resistant acid phosphatases are suggestive of increased activities of osteoclast and osteoblasts associated with bone metastasis. A possible diagnostic importance of this observation deserves further investigation, using monoclonal antibody techniques.

Detergent solubilization of liver microsomal acyl-coenzyme A:1-acyl-glycerophosphocholine acyltransferase in nephrotic rat

Hyperlipidaemia is a common feature of nephrotic syndrome and this has been thought to involve increased assembly and secretion of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) in the liver. An important pathway for an indirect modulation of VLDL. Synthesis is the reaction catalyzed by the acyl-coenzyme A:1-acyl-glycero-phosphcholine acyl transferase. We therefore investigated the activity of this enzyme in liver microsomes isolated from puromycin amino nucleoside induced nephrotic rats. When oleoyl-CoA was employed as the acyl-donor, our results indicated that both the total and detergent soluble enzyme activities (112.2 +/- 16.7; 116.1 +/- 17.5 units, respectively) were significantly higher than the corresponding control levels of 91.1 +/- 11.1 and 75.4 +/- 20.9 units respectively. The percentage stimulation by sodium cholate were 176.5 and 192.2 for the control and nephrotic rats, respectively. In absence of sodium cholate, when oleoyl CoA was replaced by arachidonoyl-CoA as acyl-donor, the measured total enzyme activity was only significantly reduced in the control rats (71.1 +/- 8.9 Vs 91.1 +/- 11.1 Units). Oleoyl-CoA as acyl-donor gave higher values for the soluble and residual enzyme activities (90.4 13.3; 99.5 34.5 unit) than the corresponding control levels (75.9 +/- 10.0; 50.5 +/- 34.0 units) as compared to arachidonoyl-CoA. In the control group the difference was only significant in the residual activity (92.9 20.5 Vs 64.7 24.1 units). The addition of monomethylethanomine (200 mM) had little or no effect, while both reduced glutathione (10 mM) and 1,2-diacylglycerol (1 mM) caused significant reduction in measured activity. These results indicated that in nephrotic rats new phospholipid synthesis is enhanced and this could contribute to the increased VLDL assembly and secretion usually associated with nephrotic syndrome.

Serum total, heat and urea stable alkaline phosphatase activities in relation to ABO blood groups and secretor phenotypes

The relationship between serum alkaline phosphatase (AP) isoenzymes, ABO blood groups and secretor phenotypes was evaluated in 125 Nigerian voluntary blood donors. The serum total AP activity patterns were group O > Group B > Group AB > Group A, but only the differences between A/B, A/O and AB/O were significant. The total and activities of the different isoenzymes were lowest in group A, while highest values were found in group O. The different activities for group AB were intermediate between the levels for A and B. The activities of the different isoenzymes tended to be higher in secretors than in non-secretors. Our results may suggest that both the blood group and secretor genes are strong determinants of AP isoenzyme patterns in Nigeria.

Acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol- acyl-coenzyme A:1,2-diacylglycerol acyltransferase and phosphatidate phosphorylase activities in liver microsomes from nephrotic rats

The lipid components of very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) were significantly elevated in the nephrotic rats. Also the nephrotic VLDL particles had a significantly higher ratio of surface lipids (FC + PL) to core lipids (TG + CE) probably indicating production of smaller sized VLDL in the nephrotic rats. Electron microscopy showed VLDL particles with a reduced mean size in the nephrotic rats. The activities of VLDL core lipid synthesizing enzymes were evaluated in experimental nephrotic syndrome. In addition, the effects of exogeneous cholesterol, 25-OH-cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) on the acyl-coenzyme A: cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) activity were investigated as well. ACAT activity in nephrosis was normal, but stimulated to varying extents in the presence of these factors. On the other hand, the acylcoenzyme A:1,2-diacylglycerol acyltransferase (ADGAT) and phosphatidate phosphorylase-activities were significantly increased in the nephrotic rats. The microsomal cholesterol (free and ester) and phospholipid concentrations were normal but the triglyceride level was significantly reduced in the experimental group. We speculate that an excess production of smaller-sized VLDL particles due to altered activities of microsomal lipid synthesizing enzymes may occur in puromycin amino nucleoside induced-nephrotic rats.

Biochemical changes during a cross-over treatment of doxazosin, moduretic and amlodipine in hypertensive patients

A cross-over study was done to compare the effects of doxazosin, moduretic and amlodipine on biochemical values in 9 hypertensive Nigerians aged 35 to 65 years. Doxazosin therapy was characterized by significant increase in the levels of mean plasma total protein and albumin, while moduretic therapy showed significant reduction in the mean values of plasma creatinine and calcium. All other parameters did not show any significant variation during doxazosin and moduretic treatment phases; and amlodipine therapy did not have any effect on the biochemical values of the hypertensive patients.

Glycaemia and body mass as determinants of plasma lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase activity in Nigerian patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

There is an inverse correlation between plasma high density lipoprotein (HDL) concentrations and atherogenic vascular morbidity risk. An important pathway for modulating circulating HDL levels is the reaction catalysed by the plasma enzyme, lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT). Thus, determinants of LCAT activity should influence plasma HDL levels and be accessible targets for intervention. We therefore assessed such determinants in Nigerian patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), classified into age- and sex-matched groups of obese (body mass index, BMI, > 25 kg/m2) and non-obese (BMI < 25 kg/m2). Our results indicated that 10 obese diabetic patients had significantly reduced plasma LCAT activity and HDL levels and increased plasma triglyceride (TG) levels, in comparison with the observations in 9 non-obese diabetic patients (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, worsening of glycaemic control, when oral hypoglycaemic treatment was discontinued for 1 week in 10 diabetic (5 obese) patients, further reduced fasting levels of HDL and plasma LCAT activity (both P < 0.05). Although plasma HDL concentrations and LCAT activity levels did not correlate significantly, the latter nonetheless had a significant inverse relationship with fasting plasma glucose levels in the obese diabetic subjects (r -0.51, P < 0.05). These results indicate that glycaemia and body mass are important determinants of plasma LCAT activity. Both variables are subject to pharmacological and dietary intervention with the objective of increasing circulating HDL levels.

The effects of doxazosin on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in hypertensive patients

Plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels were evaluated in 27 adults with essential hypertension at four different periods during a 12-month treatment with doxazosin. Mean plasma total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDLC), triglyceride (TG), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDLC) and the LDLC/HDLC ratio were significantly reduced following doxazosin therapy. The HDLC/C ratio was found to be increased, while mean high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) level remained unchanged at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of measurement after doxazosin treatment. Our data showed that the duration of doxazosin treatment did not influence the observed favourable lipid changes; but TC and LDLC appear to be the lipid fractions most affected by doxazosin in all the patients. In order to determine the possible factors responsible for the lipid-altering actions of doxazosin treatment, we observed beneficial lipid and lipoprotein changes in both the male and female subpopulations of patients with a slightly higher magnitude in the females. The dosage of doxazosin was, however, found to have no influence on the lipid-altering actions; a further study was therefore recommended.

Changes in lipid and lipoprotein values during a cross-over treatment of doxazosin, moduretic and amlodipine in hypertensive patients

A cross-over study, comparing the effects of doxazosin, moduretic and amlodipine on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in 9 hypertensive Nigerians aged 35 to 65 years is presented. Doxazosin therapy had favourable lipid changes characterized by a statistically significant reduction in total cholesterol (TC) at 6 months. Though consistent reduction was observed in total triglycerides (TG) low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (VLDLC) upto 6 months, no effect was seen on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC). This is against unfavourable increments in the mean values of TC, VLDLC, LDLC/HDLC and decrease in HDLC/TC during moduretic treatment phase. Amlodipine therapy did not alter the lipid and lipoprotein levels. The non-significant variation in the mean high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDLC) level observed with these agents, seem to suggest that HDL-cholesterol metabolism may be maintained during antihypertensive pharmacotherapy.

Effect of exposure of foetal red cells to hydrogen peroxide

Foetal and adult red cells were exposed to H2O2 vapours using two different modes of exposure. There was a two-fold increase in adult (P < 0.05) and three-fold increase in foetal (P < 0.05) cells after 8 h of exposure to H2O2 using the Cohen and Hochstein technique. When the H2O2 was generated in situ by the glucose-glucose oxidase technique, there was also an increase in formation of methaemoglobin in both cell types (P < 0.05). In the presence of sodium azide in both cell types, methaemoglobin was generated and there was a progressive increase in the formation of methaemoglobin with time of exposure in both cell types (P < 0.05) using either the Cohen and Hochstein procedure or the glucose-glucose oxidase procedure. There was significant difference in the methaemoglobin formation between the adult and foetal red cells throughout the period of exposure (P < 0.05). The ability of both cell types to reduce methaemoglobin the presence of added substrates (glucose, inosine, adenosine, lactate and sorbitol) showed an enhanced reduction of methaemoglobin in adult red cells for lall the substrates added and a slower rate of reduction of methaemoglobin to functional haemoglobin in foetal cells. There was significant difference in the percentage drop in the methaemoglobin formation between the adult and foetal red cells with all added substrates (P < 0.05). Our results showed that the foetal cells were more susceptible to oxidative stress than adult red cells.

Problems associated with plasma albumin estimation in nephrotic syndrome using the bromocresol green method

Evaluation of albumin estimation by bromocresol green (BCG) method was carried out in sixty nephrotics and twenty control subjects. In nephrotic syndrome, varies; is directly proportional, to 2-globulin and total cholesterol concentrations were significantly increased, while the mean albumin level was significantly reduced when compared with the corresponding control values. In both control and nephrotics, the determination of serum albumin by the BCG method showed good correlations with values obtained by cellulose acetate electrophoresis using the biuret method to determine the total protein, but the mean value for the nephrotics was higher by an average of 0.4g/100ml. Interference with the BCG reaction by an increased varies; is directly proportional, to 2-globulin level was suggested as a possible explanation for the higher mean albumin level obtained by the BCG method in the nephrotics. Inclusion of 0.8M NaCl in the BCG assay system did not prevent the interference by other proteins. However, this interference could to a large extent, be offset by calibrating with a pool of fresh sera previously determined by electrophoresis.

Plasma lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and cholesterol ester in cholestasis

Lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activity, cholesterol ester and high density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were determined in Nigerian subjects suffering from cholestatic jaundice. Plasma lecithin cholesterol acyl transferase activities in all the study groups were similar. High density lipoprotein cholesterol and cholesterol ester were significantly increased in extrahepatic cholestasis while reduced levels were found in intrahepatic cholestasis. Enhanced cholesterol esterification may occur in extrahepatic cholestasis.

Total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and steroid hormone changes in normal weight women during the menstrual cycle

OBJECTIVE

To study total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and steroid changes in normal weight women during the menstrual cycle.

METHOD

Multiple point blood samples obtained at different phases of the menstrual cycle in 14 student nurses, consuming normal Nigerian diets (rich in vegetable based proteins and fiber), were analyzed for HDL cholesterol, total cholesterol and for the steroids progesterone, estradiol and testosterone by RIA.

RESULTS

A multivariate repeated measures analysis was carried out according to Pillais, Hotelings Willes and Roys tests and the three phases of menstrual cycle were found to be significantly different with the significance level at 0.030.

CONCLUSION

The fluctuations in plasma lipids that occur at different phases of the menstrual cycle have important implications in evaluating the factors of coronary heart disease in women of reproductive age. Also, the results suggest that multiple point measurements may give a better estimate of plasma lipid changes in blood in women of reproductive age.

Xylitol-induced increase in purine degradation: a role of erythrocytes

We administered xylitol intravenously to normal subjects to investigate the mechanism of xylitol-induced increase in the purine degradation in humans. Xylitol increased the plasma concentrations of hypoxanthine, xanthine and uric acid but decreased the blood concentration of pyruvic acid. The erythrocyte concentrations of IMP, AMP, ADP, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate and fructose 1,6-diphosphate as well as the urinary excretion of hypoxanthine and xanthine were increased, while the erythrocyte concentration of ATP was decreased. In addition, the in vitro incubation studies using erythrocytes demonstrated that both xylitol-induced purine degradation and xylitol-induced inhibition of the conversion of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate to 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate were protected by pyruvic acid. These results indicate that xylitol-induced impairment of glycolysis in erythrocytes contributes to the observed xylitol-induced increase in the purine degradation in the body.

Effects of amlodipine on plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels in hypertensive patients

Lipids and lipoprotein levels were determined in the plasma of 20 adult hypertensive patients, after 12 weeks treatment with amlodipine. No significant variation was observed in the mean values of the lipids and lipoprotein fractions before and after amlodipine treatment for the patients on either 5 mg or 10 mg of amlodipine. A further long-term study has been suggested in order to confirm the inertness of amlodipine on lipids and lipoprotein metabolism.

Abnormal lipid and lipoprotein patterns in liver cirrhosis with and without hepatocellular carcinoma

Plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile was determined in 12 cirrhotics, 15 patients with cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and 20 healthy volunteers. When compared with controls plasma total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), high density lipoprotein phospholipids (HDLPL), HDLPL/PL levels were low, phospholipid (PL) was normal and HDLC/TC and PL/TC were high in cirrhosis. In cirrhotics with HCC, TC, PL, PL/TC levels were elevated while HDLC, HDPL, HDLC/TC and HDLPL/PL were normal. A comparison within the patient groups showed that in cirrhosis alone, the levels of TC, HDLC, PL, HDLPL and HDLPL/PL were lower and PL/TC level was higher than in cirrhotics with HCC. Plasma albumin levels showed a negative correlation with PL/TC and a positive correlation with HDL-cholesterol in cirrhosis. In cirrhosis with HCC plasma, phospholipid levels showed a significant negative correlation with total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase. The variations in the level of plasma lipids and lipoproteins may assist in describing the nature of these two forms of liver disease.

Some determinants of postprandial lipaemia in Nigerian diabetic and non-diabetic subjects

The efficiency of clearance of plasma triacylglycerols (TAG) after fatty meals in non-diabetic Caucasian subjects is believed to determine the plasma level of high-density-lipoproteins-cholesterol (HDL-C). It is unknown if this observation holds in diabetic subjects and in other racial groups. In assessing the factors that determine TAG responses to acute fat loading in a tropical African population with a low prevalence of atherosclerotic disease, twenty (nine obese) non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients with optimal glycaemic control and twelve (six obese) age-matched non-diabetic subjects were given meals containing 50 g fat (in butter) and 75 g carbohydrate (in white bread) over 15 min in the morning after a 12 h overnight fast. The fasting plasma levels of glucose, TAG, total cholesterol (total-C), HDL-C, low-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol, insulin and glycosylated haemoglobin (HBAlc) were estimated; glucose and TAG levels were also measured postprandially for 8 h at 2 h intervals. Postprandial lipaemia was consistently higher in the diabetic patients (about 50-100% more than values obtained in the non-diabetic subjects, even when corrected for differences in body mass) and correlated positively with age and postprandial glycaemia. This defect in TAG clearance was even worse (by about 50%) when glucose tolerance became further impaired after ten of the diabetic patients stopped oral hypoglycaemic treatment for 1 week and the fat-tolerance test was repeated. In the obese non-diabetic subjects, but not those of normal weight, there were significant negative relationships between the postprandial lipaemia and fasting plasma levels of HDL-C and HDL-C: total-C ratio, as reported in Caucasians. It is concluded that age and the ambient glucose concentration appear to be the important determinants of the efficiency of TAG clearance in diabetic subjects. This accords with clinical observations of increased atherogenic liability with increasing age and poorer glycaemic control. The determinants in non-diabetic subjects were less defined, indicating that postprandial lipaemia might be influenced by various factors (obesity as shown here) in different subsets of individuals.

An immunoreactive xanthine oxidase protein-possessing xanthinuria and her family

The presence of immunoreactive xanthine oxidase protein was proven in a xanthinuric patient, using a polyclonal antibody against xanthine oxidase. The antibody was raised against purified human liver xanthine oxidase in a rabbit. Double immunodiffusion method demonstrated the existence of an immunologically reactive xanthine oxidase which did not possess xanthine oxidase activity. In addition, urinary excretion of oxypurines in the patient and her family was investigated. The results indicated that a brother and a sister had xanthinuria.

Two cases in whom pyrazinamide does not inhibit the uricosuric action of benzbromarone

The 2 subjects were a diabetic male with renal hypouricemia and a healthy male with normouricemia. In these subjects, 200 mg of benzbromarone increased fractional uric acid clearance (FUa) and 3.0 g of pyrazinamide decreased FUa. However, pyrazinamide did not inhibit the uricosuric action of benzbromarone at all on the administration of 3.0 g of pyrazinamide together with 200 mg of benzbromarone. These results indicated that in these cases, the relative role of each component could not be determined on the basis of the hypothetical four-component model.

Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase activity in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity and free cholesterol and cholesterol ester concentrations were determined in serum samples from 28 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and in an equal number of healthy controls. No significant alterations in LCAT activity, free cholesterol, or esterified cholesterol levels were observed in the ALL patients compared with the controls.

Erythrocyte and plasma lipids in liver diseases

Forty-four patients aged between 12 and 64 years comprising 16 hepatitis (group 1); 12 cirrhosis (group 2); 16 primary liver cell carcinoma (group 3) and 18 normal controls were studied. In hepatitis, plasma total cholesterol and total cholesterol/phospholipid ratio were significantly reduced, while the changes in red cell cholesterol and phospholipid and plasma phospholipid were not. The blood glucose was significantly reduced. The plasma total cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was positively correlated with the plasma total bilirubin. In cirrhosis patients, red cell total cholesterol and ratio to phospholipid were significantly increased and the plasma cholesterol reduced with no significant changes in red cell and plasma phospholipids. The plasma total cholesterol/phospholipid ratio was reduced while the corresponding ratio in red cells was increased. Both total cholesterol and the ratio to phospholipid in red cells were negatively correlated with albumin and positively correlated with the plasma total bilirubin. In primary liver cell carcinoma, the plasma and red cholesterol and their ratio in the red cell were significantly increased while the ratio in plasma was not. The serum albumin levels were reduced while the liver enzymes and total bilirubin were raised in all patient groups. Our results suggest a possible relationship between liver function and cholesterol deposition in red cells in liver disease.

Changes in plasma high density lipoprotein cholesterol and phospholipid in acute viral hepatitis and cholestatic jaundice

Forty-four male and female subjects aged 22-57 years were studied. Thirteen patients had acute viral hepatitis, and eleven patients had cholestatic jaundice due to carcinoma of the head of the pancreas. Twenty healthy volunteers who served as controls were also included. In hepatitis patients, the mean plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC) and the high density lipoprotein (HDL)-phospholipid/phospholipid (HDLPL/PL) ratio were reduced, and HDL-cholesterol (HDLC), HDL-phospholipid (HDLPL) and the phospholipid/total cholesterol (PL/TC) ratio were normal, while total phospholipid (PL) levels and the HDLC/TC ratio were significantly increased compared to the control values. In patients with cholestatic jaundice the mean plasma total cholesterol, phospholipid and HDLC levels were elevated, and HDLPL/PL, HDLPL, HDLC/TC and PL/TC remained normal compared to the control values. A comparison within the patient groups showed that plasma TC, PL and HDLC levels were significantly increased in cholestatic jaundice when compared with the corresponding levels in hepatitis patients. The mean plasma levels of HDLPL, HDLC/TC and PL/TC did not show any significant variation within the patient groups. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) correlated positively with TC, and total protein correlated negatively with TC and HDLPL, while albumin correlated negatively with TC, HDLC and HDLPL in cholestatic jaundice. Alanine amino-transferase (ALAT) also correlated positively with PL in cholestatic jaundice, while albumin correlated positively with TC in hepatitis. The results suggest that lipoproteins might be metabolized differently in these two forms of cholestasis.

Apolipoprotein A and high density lipoprotein cholesterol in childhood nephrotic syndrome

Plasma triglyceride, apolipoprotein A, total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were estimated in childhood nephrotic syndrome. The plasma lipid concentrations within the nephrotic group were variable with elevation of both triglyceride and cholesterol present in 60%, triglyceride alone in 10% and cholesterol alone in 30% respectively. The mean plasma triglyceride and total cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in the nephrotic children. The increase in plasma triglyceride seems unrelated to the serum cholesterol concentration. The high density lipoprotein cholesterol was significantly reduced, whereas the apolipoprotein A concentration was elevated, probably suggesting the presence of an Apolipoprotein A-rich high density lipoprotein in nephrotic children.

Plasma lipid profiles in relation to diabetic control in Nigerians

Plasma lipid profiles--total cholesterol (TC), LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and phospholipids--were studied in relation to two parameters of diabetic control (fasting blood sugar (FBS) for short-term control and glycosylated haemoglobin (HBA1C) for long-term control) in 46 diabetic patients (22 insulin-dependent (IDDM) and 24 non-insulin dependent (NIDDM] and 22 non-diabetic control subjects. We confirmed the positive correlation between FBS and HBA1C. All diabetic patients had significantly higher triglyceride levels (P less than 0.05) than controls, which were not influenced by degree of glycaemic control. NIDDM patients tended to have higher than normal TC levels (P less than 0.05). In IDDM, TC level was positively correlated with HBA1C (r = 0.37, P less than 0.05), and negative correlations were established between FBS and HDL-cholesterol (r = -0.46, P less than 0.02) and the HDL-cholesterol:TC ratio (r = -0.49, P less than 0.01), suggesting an increased atherogenic risk with poorer diabetic control. It is concluded that lipoprotein abnormalities exist in Nigerian diabetics, though not as consistently as in Caucasians. The differences may be due to, among other factors, differences in genetic make-up, diet (typical African diet being rich in plant fibre and poor in cholesterogenic nutrients) and aetiology of the diabetic state (tropical diabetes being highly heterogeneous and now thought to be linked to malnutrition).

Plasma lipid profiles and vascular disease in type 2 (non-insulin dependent) Nigerian diabetic patients

Although ischaemic vascular disease is uncommon in Nigerians (diabetic and nondiabetic), foot gangrene of vascular origin still causes considerable morbidity in Nigerian diabetics. One known cause of vascular disease is lipid abnormalities. We therefore measured plasma lipid levels in diabetic patients with foot gangrene of vascular origin and compared those results with values in diabetics without gangrene and nondiabetic subjects, in relation to other variables such as glycaemic control, disease duration and body mass index. 45 noninsulin dependent diabetics (10 with foot gangrene) and 22 nondiabetic control subjects were studied. Those diabetics with gangrene had poorer (p less than 0.001) short-term glycaemic control (as assessed from fasting blood glucose levels) than those without, although longer-term control (HBA1C) was similar in both groups. Plasma triglyceride levels were significantly elevated in diabetics with or without gangrene (p less than 0.001) compared to nondiabetic subjects, while total cholesterol levels were high only in those with gangrene (p less than 0.02) who also had a longer disease duration. Plasma phospholipid and HDL-cholesterol did not differ significantly from control values. We therefore conclude that the raised plasma cholesterol and longer duration of diabetes in those diabetics with foot gangrene may have contributed to the genesis of vascular disease in those subjects.

A comparative study of plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in two groups of Nigerians of different socio-economic status

Blood samples were obtained from two groups of Nigerians of different income and educational status. Group I subjects consisted of 178 males and females with high income and post-secondary-school education; and in group II were 332 males and females with low income and no secondary-school education. Plasma total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were determined in all samples. There was no significant increase in the mean plasma total cholesterol levels in group II subjects after the age of 20 years but the increase in the group I subjects was only significant in the males. The mean HDL cholesterol levels did not increase with age in both groups who were more than 20 years old. Group I males and females had significantly higher mean levels of plasma total and HDL cholesterol than the group II subjects. The female subjects in both groups had significantly higher mean plasma HDL cholesterol than their male counterparts. The mean ratios of HDL: total cholesterol for group I females were significantly higher than the mean for group I males only and not significantly different from values for group II subjects.

Plasma high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol levels during long-term use of an oral contraceptive in Nigerian women

Total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were estimated in 131 blood samples obtained from women who had been taking the oral contraceptive Noriday 1 + 50Fe (one packet contains 21 tablets of 1 mg of norethindrone + 0.05 mg of mestranol, and 7 of 75 mg of ferrous fumarate) for 1-60 months. Thirty five women who had never used oral contraception (OC) formed the control group. There was a significantly higher mean HDL cholesterol level, and HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio but not total cholesterol level in the women who had been using OC for 19-60 months. The values in women who had been using OC for 1-18 months were not significantly different from those in the control group. The increase in the HDL cholesterol level may not depend on the oestrogen content of the oral contraceptive but on the duration of its intake.

High-density-lipoprotein-cholesterol in protein-energy malnutrition

1. Plasma total cholesterol, high-density-lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol total protein, albumin and globulin levels were estimated in blood samples from thirty children with kwashiorkor, thirty-five with marasmus, twenty-eight with marasmic-kwashiorkor and twenty-seven control children. 2. HDL-cholesterol was estimated after the very-low-density and low-density lipoproteins were precipitated from the plasma with heparin and manganese chloride. 3. The distribution of HDL-cholesterol in the control and in the children with PEM was skewed and the range of values was wide. The values were independent of age and sex. 4. After logarithmic transformation of the HDL-cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol:total cholesterol values, the geometric mean values for the three groups of children with PEM were significantly decreased when compared with values for the control children. 5. The decrease in the mean HDL-cholesterol value for the children with kwashiorkor was more than for children with marasmus and marasmic-kwashiorkor.

Maternal and cord plasma levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides in Nigeria

Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were determined in 70 pregnant women immediately after delivery and in the cord blood of their babies; 62 non-pregnant women served as controls. The mean lipid levels were significantly higher in the pregnant women than in the non-pregnant women. The lipid levels in the cord blood were much lower than those in the maternal blood but were not different from values which have been reported from the developed countries; they were independent of socio-economic class. The total and high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were related to socio-economic status both in the pregnant and non-pregnant women, but the ratio of high density lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol and triglyceride levels were not. The cord blood lipid levels were also independent of socio-economic class.

Selective deficiency of hepatic triglyceride lipase and hypertriglyceridaemia in kwashiorkor

1. Serum postheparin lipolytic activities (PHLA), triglyceride and free fatty acid concentrations were determined in children with kwashiorkor before and after treatment and also in normal control children. 2. Using the range (571-1650 mumol/l) of serum triglyceride of the control children as normal, five (20%) of the twenty-five children with kwashiorkor had low (less than 570 mumol/l), thirteen (52%) had normal (571-1650 mumol/l) and seven (28%) had high (more than 1650 mumol/l) serum triglyceride levels. 3. The serum PHLA did not show any definite correlation with the level of circulating triglycerides, although the lowest levels of PHLA were found in the malnourished children with highest triglyceride level. 4. While the hepatic PHLA in the malnourished children was significantly less than control value, the extrahepatic PHLA did not differ significantly. 5. After treatment, serum PHLA rose significantly and the mean levels were within normal range. 6. Our findings suggest that a defect in catabolism of very-low-density lipoprotein caused by a low hepatic PHLA may cause hypertriglyceridaemia in children with kwashiorkor.

Studies on hepatic and extrahepatic lipoprotein lipases in protein-calorie malnutrition

Postheparin serum lipolytic activities (hepatic and extrahepatic), serum free fatty acid, and triglyceride levels were measured in 16 kwashiorkor, 14 marasmic, and 14 control children. The results showed that the reduction in total postheparin lipolytic activity in kwashiorkor was in the activity of hepatic origin. In marasmus, the total postheparin lipolytic activity, hepatic and extrahepatic activities, were within normal range. The was no evidence for the presence of inhibitors of postheparin lipolytic activity in the serum of kwashiorkor or marasmic children. Fasting serum-free fatty acid level was significantly elevated in kwashiorkor, while the level in marasmus was not significantly different from control value. The serum triglyceride levels in both conditions showed no significant differences from the control value. These findings suggest that the defective production of hepatic lipoprotein lipase, as well as increased influx of free fatty acid into the liver, could account for the accumulation of fat in the liver of kwashiorkor and not in that of marasmic children.

Serum free fatty acids, insulin and blood glucose in pregnancy

Blood glucose, serum insulin and free fatty acid levels were determined in 60 pregnant and 44 non-pregnant women. The mean blood glucose level was significatnly lower in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women but there were no significant changes during pregnancy. The mean serum insulin and free fatty acid levels were not significantly different from the levels for the non-pregnant women, there was also no significant change in their mean levels throughout pregnancy.