Low blood selenium: A probable factor in essential hypertension

The possible association between selenium and essential hypertension was investigated in this study. Blood selenium (BSe) and plasma glutathione peroxidase (plGSH-Px) activity were measured asbiochemical markers of selenium status of 103 hypertensive patients (44 males and 59 females) and 88 apparently healthy subjects (40 males and 48 females). The hypertensive patients were classified intothree groups based on the severity of the disease namely: mild (Group 1), moderate (Group 2) and severe (Group 3). The healthy and the hypertensive subjects were recruited from Abeokuta and Ibadan(South-Western Nigeria). The mean age of the hypertensive patients was 41.9 ± 10.3 (range 21 – 68) years, while the mean age of the healthy subjects was 37.8 ± 8.6 (range 18 – 52) years. The weight,height, blood pressure and pulse rates of all subjects were measured and their body mass indices (BMI) computed. BSe was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS) while plGSH-Px activitywas measured by spectrophotometric method. The mean BSe concentration was significantly lower in the hypertensive patients (0.136 ± 0.028 mg/L) than in the healthy group (0.188 ± 0.026 mg/L) (P < 0.001). However with respect to plGSH-Px activity, there was no statistically significant difference between the hypertensive patients (0.126 ± 0.019 U/mL) and the healthy group (0.127 ± 0.022 U/mL). Blood Selenium concentration was found to decrease with the severity of the disease. The difference in BSe concentration of Group 1 and Group 2 patients was not significant. However, there were significantdifferences in the BSe levels of Group 2 and Group 3 patients (P < 0.05) and Group 1 and Group 3 patients (P < 0.05). The observed low BSe in hypertensive subjects implies that low BSe is probably a predisposing factor to essential hypertension or a consequence of the disease. The severity of the disease was also observed to be inversely related to the level of BSe, suggesting that BSe level may have a role in the prognosis of the disease. Alteration in BSe status appears to confirm the  elemental basis of the aetiopathogenesis of certain diseases. Despite the reduction in BSe level in the hypertensive patients, it was still adequate to maintain plGSH-Px activity at a level comparable to thoseof the healthy group. This suggests that BSe may exist in another functional form, which plays a role in the pathogenesis or prognosis of the disease

Biochemical markers of liver and kidney functions in Nigerian hypertensive patients

Plasma albumin, total protein, total globulin, urea, creatinine and uric acid, concentrations were assayed by standard spectrophotometric methods as simple biochemical indicators of liver and kidney functions of 103 hypertensive patients (44 males; 59 females) and 88 apparently healthy subjects (40 males; 48 females). Additionally Plasma sodium (Na+) and potassium (K+) were determined by flame photometry. The healthy and the hypertensive subjects were recruited from Abeokuta and Ibadan (South-Western Nigeria). The subjects were classified into male and female subgroups. The mean age of the hypertensive patients was 41.9 ±10.3 (range 21-68) years, while the mean age of the healthy subjects was 37.8 ± 8.6 (range 18-52) years. The weight and height of all subjects were measured and their body mass indices (BMI) computed. The levels ofplasma albumin, urea and uric acid were significantly higher in the hypertensive patients than in healthy group (

Antisickling agent in an extract of unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya): Is it real?

Investigations into antisickling and reversal of sickling activities of an aqueous extract of unripe pawpaw (Carica papaya) were carried out on blood from sickle cell patients (Haemoglobin SS, HbSS) using 2% sodium metabisulphite in a sickling test. The minimum concentration of the extract that achieved maximum antisickling in vitro and the fraction of the extract where the antisickling agent resides were determined. Our findings confirmed both antisickling and reversal of sickling activities ofthe extract. It was established that 1.0 g of unripe pawpaw in 1.0 ml of physiological saline was the minimum concentration that achieved maximum antisickling. Solvent partitioning of the extract withethyl acetate and butanol revealed that the antisickling agent in the extract of unripe pawpaw resides in the ethyl acetate fraction as this fraction prevented sickling of Hb SS red cells and reversed sickled HbSS red cells in 2% sodium metabisulphite whereas the butanol and aqueous fractions had none of these properties. We concluded that extract of unripe pawpaw really has antisickling agent and that thisantisickling agent lies in the ethyl acetate fraction of the extract

Mixed chemical-induced oxidative stress in occupational exposure in Nigerians

Exposure to single chemicals and associated disorders in occupational environments has received significant attention. Understanding these events holds great promise for risk identification, assessmentand chemical induced disease prevention. Fifty (50) fasting male workers, age range 18-50 years exposed to chemical mixtures in a works department, mean duration 17.7±10.1 years and 30 controlsmatched for age, diet, sex and other demographic characteristics except exposure to chemicals were selected. Body mass index (BMI), antioxidant status and other biochemical indices including plasmaproteins (total protein) and subsets, albumin and total globulins were determined in plasma. The BMI was similar between chemical workers (exposed) and controls (p>0.05). Uric acid level was significantlyhigher in the exposed than in the controls (

Plasma C-Reactive Protein and Selected Nutritional Indices in Elective Caesarean Section

Context: Caesarean Section (CS) is a major surgical procedure, often performed when a vaginal delivery is considered unsafe.Objective: This study was carried out to understand the interaction between acute phase proteins and nutritional factors consequent to caesarean section. The knowledge of this interaction is important for successful management of these patients.Methods: Plasma samples from fifty (50) pregnant women booked for elective caesarean section in Ibadan, Nigeria were collected on the day preceding surgery, one day and four days post-surgery to determine the levels of CRP, vitamin C, PCV, Total protein, albumin and globulin (Glb) levels. Results: The mean age of the patients studied was 32.29 + 3.66 years, range; 24 39 years. Significant elevations were observed in the levels of TP, Glb and CRP one day post-surgery (1DPS) compared with baseline (BS) (7.36 + 1.46) vs 6.56±1.30, (4.68 + 1.33) vs 2.70±1.51, (111.43 + 68.89) vs 6.00 ± 13.27 respectively, while albumin reduced significantly (2.68 + 1.08) vs 3.87±0 .63. Similar changes were observed on day 4. There was no significant change in the levels of Vitamin C.Conclusion: One of the positive predictive indicators of good outcome after caesarean delivery is adequate nutrition.Key Words: Elective caesarian section, acute phase proteins, nutritional factor

Serum Trace Element Presentation in Female Wistar Rats administered with Paracetamol & Paracetamol/Methionine.

A number of therapeutic agents are known to alter serum trace element levels with dangerous consequences. An earlier study had demonstrated significant alteration in the levels of some trace elements in male rats dosed with paracetamol/methionine. This study is designed to compare serum element presentation at the 4th hour (peak of absorption) with the 16th hour (peak of toxicity) so as to establish how early in the course of paracetamol exposure trace element alteration takes place. This is because essential trace elements take part not only in the process of cell division but in DNA repair system as well, DNA repair system prevents mutation. And because cell division is a continuous process and has been described to be characterized by at least one spontaneous mutation per a million cell divisions, then it becomes expedient to carry out a study of this nature. Eight female Wistar rats per group were used for the study. They were administered with different doses of paracetamol/methionine (5:1) ranging from 350-5000 mg/kg bw. Results indicate that trace element alterations commenced as early as the 4th hour, with these alterations lasting till the end of the 16th hour in both paracetamol &amp; paracetamol/methionine groups at most levels of exposure. Although studies had indicated that addition of methionine to paracetamol may ensure tissue protection even at toxic doses, evidence from this study suggests that it may not prevent trace element alteration, a situation capable of rendering genes to be susceptible to mutation and provoking oxidative stress-induced diseases.Key words: paracetamol; peak; absorption; toxicity; trace elements; Wistar rat

Plasma and Erythrocyte Magnesium responses to oral glucose loading in healthy African subjects

No Abstract Available Journal of Science and Technology Vol.1(2) 1997: 50-55 Published 200

Environmental Chemicals and Human Neurotoxicity: Magnitude, Prognosis and Markers

The neurotoxic effects of exposure to chemicals in the environment, though insufficiently recognized, remains a topic of substantial current concern and interest. Neurotoxicities may be protean; expressed as neuropathologic or as altered neurocthemical, electrophysiological or behavioural functions. The adverse effects of neurotoxicity are among the most feared ill health in humans because they adversely affect the quality of life, and have broad health, social and economic implications. Though the magnitude of neurotoxicity is not exactly known, in some advanced countries over 30 million individuals suffer from neurobehavioural illness with only 20% seeking medical attention. In the United States for instance, of the 63 million youths under 18 years of age about 10% have diagnosable neurobehavioural problems with only 20% receiving therapy. Data developed by the massive Global Burden of Disease (GBD) revealed that neurobehavioural impairment ranks only second to cancer and coronary heart disease combined. These data may indeed be more gruesome owing to the poor regulation of exposure to environmental chemicals in resource poor countries. Biomarkers play a major role in detecting, predicting and screening for neurotoxicity. Development of inexpensive and specific biomarkers of neurotoxicity is a challenge to the scientific community. Undoubtedly, the magnitude and potential severity of neurotoxicity problems make it imperative to invest in resources required to strengthen the basis for preventive intervention, the forerunner of which is the development of biomarkers for neurotoxicity at the individual and population levels. Health education on chemicals and potential for neurotoxicity is also desirable

Biochemical assessment of lead overload and the protective effect of zinc in guinea pigs

The kidney in addition to the excretion of waste, plays a significant role in the regulation of total body homeostasis and is the predominant organ involved in the regulation of extra cellular fluid volume. However nephrotoxic substances inhibit or interfere with the functions of the kidney and cause its destruction. Therefore the biochemical assessment of the effect of lead overload and the possible protective effect of zinc were carried out in guinea pigs. Graded doses of lead (0ppm, 300ppm, 600ppm and 1200ppm) were administered alone or in combination with 800ppm zinc to guinea pigs for a period of 20 weeks. Blood samples were collected from the animals after sacrifice. Urea, creatinine, uric acid, calcium, phosphate and electrolytes were determined by spectrophotometric methods The results of the study show that exposure of guinea pigs to lead significantly increased the concentration of urea, creatinine, uric acid and phosphate respectively compared with control (