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.Keywords: Dietary modification, fibrinogen, interleukins, metabolic syndrome, plasminogen activator inhibito

Effect of Basiline lipid levels II: changes in plasma lipoprotein fracrions during hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride [Moduretic] treatment of hypertension

No Abstrac

Ascitic lipids and albumin gradient in the differentiation between cirrhotic and malignant ascites in Nigerian Africans

The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ascitic fluid lipid analysis, and to compare it with albumin gradient and AF total protein in discriminating between cirrhotic ascites and ascites caused by malignancies in Nigerian patients. 40 consecutive ascitic patients, (22 with cirrhotic ascites and 18 with neoplasms metastatic to the peritoneum) were studies prospectively. The roup with liver cirrhosis (LC) consisted of non-alcoholics; 60 percent were hepatitis B surface antigen positive. The patients with malignant ascites comprised four with ovarian carcinoma; three each of lymphoma, gastric and breast carcinoma; two bronchogenic carcinoma; and one each of prostatic, testicular and colon carcinoma. The results show that AF cholesterol provides excellent discrimination between the two types of ascites. Of five diagnostic parameters tested, AF cholesterol gave the best combination of results for the predictive value of a positive test and the predictive value of a negative test. Determination of AF cholesterol and albumin gradient are useful in differentiation ascites caused by malignancies from ascites due to LC. However, AF cholesterol measurement may have considerable advantages in cost effectiveness

Effect of baseline lipid levels I: influence on plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride changes during treatment of hypertension with a combination of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride [Moduretic]

No Abstrac

Effects of Storage Temperature, pH and Time on Urinary Albumin Level

The storage of urine samples at 2-8°C and at -20°C for several weeks is a common laboratory practice in research and epidemiological studies to facilitate batch analysis. Despite numerous studies, there is no agreement on how stable albumin is in urine and the best way to store such urine specimen. Random urine samples were obtained from 15 patients with nephropathy and end stage renal failure. Urinary pH and specific gravity of freshly voided urine were determined before storage. A portion of each urine samples were stored at voided pH and another portion stored at neutral pH (7.0) after adjustment with acid or base at 4°C and -20°C for 10 weeks. Pre -analytical treatment of samples involved vortex mixing or centrifuging urine samples before measurement of urinary albumin. Albumin levels were determined at 0, 2, 4 and 10 weeks in both vortex mixed and centrifuged samples using standard spectrophotometric methods. Mean pH and specific gravity of fresh urine samples were 5.82 ± 0.71 and 1.009±0.004 respectively. Significant decreases (p< 0.05) were observed in urinary albumin levels at 4°C at the 4th week. Significant changes were seen at the 10th week in samples stored at -20°C in pH unadjusted samples. Vortex mixing or centrifuging of sample of did not restore decreases in albumin level. No significant difference was observed in the pH adjusted group after 10 weeks of storage at -20°C.These results suggest that where long term storage (6-10 weeks) of urine samples is required, samples should be stored at -20°C. However, in medium term storage (2-4 weeks) storage at 4°C may require the adjustment of the pH to neutral (7.0) before storage to obtain reliable results

Evaluation of Plasma Electrolytes in Patients Suffering From Depressive Illness

There are speculations that electrolyte concentrations may play a role in depressive illness but despite a number of studies, no agreement has been reached about blood electrolyte status in depression. One hundred subjects made up of sixty (60) depressed patients with mean age (40.3±12.3) and forty (40) normal controls with mean age (40.1±10.1) were recruited for this study. All patients were free from medication for a period of one month prior to the start of the study. Anthropometric indices of all subjects were also determined. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria and Hamilton Depression Rating Scale were used for diagnosis and measurement of severity of depression respectively. The mean plasma sodium (p<0.05) and potassium (p<0.01) were significantly decreased in depressed patients when compared with corresponding normal controls while the mean plasma calcium (p<0.05) and urea (p<0.01) were significantly increased in depressed subjects in comparison to normal controls. There were no significant differences in blood parameters determined between male and female patients. Similarly, the mean plasma concentrations of biochemical parameters did not significantly change from mild through to severe depression (p>0.05). The results from this study suggest that plasma electrolyte levels could be altered in Nigerian Africans suffering from depressive illness and this may not be gender specific

Evaluation of Plasma Lipids and Lipoproteins in Nigerians Suffering From Depressive Illness

There are conflicting reports on the role of plasma lipids in depressive illness. Very little is known about the lipid and lipoprotein status in Nigerian adults suffering from depression. One hundred subjects consisting of sixty (60) depressed patients with mean age (40.3±12.3 yrs) and forty (40) apparently healthy controls (40.1±10.1 yrs) were selected for the study. All subjects were free from medication at least one month prior to the start of the experiment. The anthropometric indices were also determined. There was a significant increase in plasma triglyceride concentration in depressed subjects when compared to control values (p<0.01). However, the plasma total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and body mass index (BMI) did not significantly differ from control values. The mean plasma triglyceride was significantly increased in female patients in comparison to corresponding female controls. Plasma lipid and lipoprotein levels did not demonstrate any definite pattern with increasing level of depression in patients. In conclusion, plasma lipid levels could play a significant role in depressive illness in Nigerian