Assessment of Tumor markers, C-reactive Protein, Cortisol and Total Plasma Peroxides Levels in Uterine Leiomyoma Patients

Objective: The pathophysiology of uterine leiomyoma is yet to be fully understood. This study determined the status of cortisol, C-reactive protein, total plasma peroxide and selected tumor markers in uterine leiomyoma patients. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight individuals (aged 25-45 years) with uterine leiomyoma (nodules=1-4; size=5-120mm) were recruited for this study. Forty apparently age-matched normal individuals without uterine leiomyoma served as controls. The patients and controls were selected after confirmation of the status of uterine leiomyoma by ultrasound imaging technique. The plasma levels of total plasma peroxides(TPP), cortisol, carcino-embryonic antigen(CEA), alpha fetoprotein (AFP), carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125) and C-reactive protein(CRP) were determined in them using spectrophotometry, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and single radial immunodiffusion (Maccini) methods respectively. Results: The result shows significantly higher levels of TPP (p0.05) changes in the plasma levels of cortisol, CEA and AFP in the leiomyoma patients when compared with the controls. Significant (r=0.521, p=0.03) correlation existed between the number of myoma nodules and the levels of CRP in the leiomyoma patients. The size of the nodules correlated significantly (r=0.47, p=0.04) with the plasma levels of TPP. Conclusion: Elevated levels of CRP and TPP could indicate oxidative stress and inflammatory response in uterine leiomyoma patients. The induced inflammation and oxidative stress may increase with increase in number and size of the myoma nodules respectively. Higher level of CA125 could be a feature of uterine leiomyoma

Prevalence of microalbuminuria among adults with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus at OOUTH, Sagamu

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a serious global epidemic. The menace of this chronic disease is attributable to its chronic complications which threaten both the world economy and life expectancy, especially in Sub- Saharan Africa. Nephropathy is a complication of Diabetes mellitus and a leading cause of End Stage Renal Disease. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of microalbuminuria as well as the effects of co-morbidities on the pattern of microalbuminuria among adults with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus. Methods: A total of 325 adults with Diabetes mellitus and 100 controls without Diabetes mellitus were studied. The subjects with diabetes were classified into four groups ([i] diabetes only, [ii] diabetes with hypertension, [iii] diabetes with obesity and [iv] diabetes with hypertension and obesity). Urinary protein, microalbuminuria, fasting plasma glucose and Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) were measured using standard methods. Results: The overall prevalence of microalbuminuria was 35.1% in the diabetic population compared to 8.0% in the control group. The prevalence of microalbuminuria in the various diabetic subgroups were as follows: 30.3% (diabetes only), 43.1% (diabetes with hypertension), 37.0% (diabetes with obesity) and 44.6% (diabetes with hypertension and obesity). The fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c were statistically significantly higher in the diabetic population than the control group. This indicated that there is a poor glycaemic control in the diabetic population and hence a possible cause of diabetic nephropathy. Conclusion: The risk of diabetic nephropathy was significant in the study population. The presence of one or more co-morbidities and poor glycaemic control increased the occurrence of diabetic nephropathy