Association of Tuberculin Skin Test with Plasma Inflammatory Cytokines in Healthy Nigerian Healthcare Workers

Tuberculin skin test (TST) is among the screening criterion for tuberculosis and inflammation is known to be associated with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Therefore, there is need to investigate the relationship between TST and inflammatory cytokines [tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)] and oxidative stress biomarkers [3-Nitrotyrosine (3-NT), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)] in apparently healthy Nigerian healthcare workers.Four millilitres of blood samples were collected from 34 participants for determination of TNF-α, IFN-γ, 3-NT and iNOS using ELISA. The TST was performed using 0.1 mL of 5 TU purified protein derivative and the diameter of induration was evaluated at 72 hours. Higher levels of TNF-α (10.10±4.31; 11.84±5.81; 12.95±6.96; 14.59±4.71 pg/mL) and IFN-γ (1.30±1.10; 1.44±1.25; 1.49±1.10; 2.10±1.56 pg/mL) were found at indurations of <5 mm, 5-9 mm, 10-14 mm, ≥15 mm, respectively. However, highest levels of 3-NT and iNOS, were found at indurations of 10-14 mm. Tuberculin skin test correlated positively with TNF-α, IFN-γ, iNOS (p>0.05) and age (p<0.05), while 3-NT was inversely correlated with TST (p>0.05). Almost half of the healthcare workers had indurations of ≥10 mm, suggestive of exposure to environmental Mycobacterium. This group of Nigerians should be made to undergo further diagnostic procedures for tuberculosis at regular intervals to establish that the positive TST is due to development of antibodies to Mycobacterium species but not as a result of actual infection

Plasma vitamins and essential trace elements in multi-drug resistant tuberculosis patients before and during chemotherapy

AbstractMulti-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) strain resistant to both rifampicin and isoniazid. Nigeria has an estimated MDR-TB rate of 2.9% and 14.3% among new and relapse cases respectively and is ranked among 4 high burden African countries for MDR-TB. Malnutrition has been implicated in the progression from dormant to active disease.This study determined the plasma level of micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Cu, vitamins A, C, D and E) in MDR-TB patients before and throughout anti-TB chemotherapy. Plasma iron, zinc, copper, vitamins A, C, D and E were determined in twenty-four (24) MDR-TB patients before the commencement of anti-TB chemotherapy, 2months, 4months and 6months post-commencement of anti-TB chemotherapy, as well as in twenty (20) healthy controls. Plasma vitamin A level was significantly decreased before chemotherapy compared with controls. At 2months of anti-TB treatment there were significant decreases in plasma levels of iron, vitamins A, C and E compared to controls whereas plasma zinc level was significantly increased compared with levels before treatment. At 4months of treatment, plasma levels of copper and vitamin D were significantly increased while plasma vitamin E level was reduced significantly compared with controls. There were significant increases in iron, zinc, copper, vitamin A and vitamin D levels with decreased plasma levels of vitamins C and E at 4months of treatment compared with their levels before chemotherapy. At 6months of treatment, plasma levels of iron, zinc, copper and vitamin D were significantly increased while vitamin E was significantly decreased compared with controls. Plasma levels of iron, zinc, copper, vitamins A and D were significantly increased whereas the levels of vitamins C and E were significantly reduced at 6months of treatment compared with levels before chemotherapy.Plasma levels of iron, zinc, copper, vitamins A and D were raised while plasma levels of vitamins E and C were reduced in MDR-TB patients from 4months post commencement of anti-TB chemotherapy. Thus, there is need to monitor micronutrient supplementation and plasma levels of these micronutrients to avoid complications associated with overload or deficiency

Serum and sputum surfactants -A and -D in multidrug-resistant and drugsensitive tuberculosis patients

Abnormal production and function of surfactants are associated with pulmonary diseases. Also, pulmonary infections alter surfactant metabolism. Due to lack of information on the levels of surfactants A (SP-A) and D (SP-D) in Nigerian tuberculosis (TB) patients, this study assessed these surfactants in both sputum and serum of drug sensitive- and multidrug resistant- TB patients using ELISA. The aim is to explore the diagnostic or therapeutic potential of SP-A and SP-D in TB patients. Also, to find out appropriate sample for the analyses of SP-A and SP-D in TB patients.The mean serum levels of SP-A and SP-D were not significantly reduced in MDR-TB (n=30) and DS-TB patients (n=30) compared with non-TB apparently healthy controls (n=30) (p > 0.05). Mean sputum levels of SP-A and SP-D were significantly reduced in DS-TB patients compared with the levels in MDR-TB patients (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the sputum SP-D and SP-A levels but not serum SP-D and SP-A levels are useful indicators of the disease activity in pulmonary TB patients.Keywords: Tuberculosis, Surfactants, Diagnosis, Nigeri

Serum levels of selected vitamins and trace elements in Nigerian consumers of alcoholic beverage: a suggestion for DNA hypomethylation

Folic acid, vitamins and Zinc play essential role in DNA methylation but alcohol consumption is known to affect the levels of these micronutrients leading to risk of developing various illnesses and certain cancers. This study determined the levels of DNA methylation dependent-micronutrients (folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, zinc and selenium) and homocysteine as a suggestion for DNA methylation status in Nigerian alcohol consumers compared with non-consumers of alcohol. Venous blood (5ml) was obtained from thirty-four males that consume alcoholic beverages for at least 10 years and thirty-two male controls that did not consume alcoholic beverages at least 10 years. Serum concentrations of folate, vitamin B12, vitamin B6, homocysteine (Hcy), selenium (Se) and zinc (Zn) were determined using High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS) as appropriate. Independent Student t-test was used to compare the mean values between alcohol consumers and control. Mean differences were considered significant at p<0.05. The mean serum levels of Zn and Se were significantly raised in alcohol consumers when compared with non-alcohol consumers while the mean levels of Vitamin B6 and Hcy were significantly reduced in alcohol consumers when compared with non-alcohol consumers. There were no statistically significant differences in the mean serum levels of Vitamin B12 and folate in alcohol consumers when compared with non-alcohol consumers. Since vitamin B6 and Hcy are required for DNA methylation, reduced vitamin B6 and Hcy levels in consumers of alcoholic beverages might suggest DNA hypomethylation in alcohol consumers.Keywords: Illnesses, Cancers, DNA methylation, alcohol, micronutrient

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

Anti-oxidant vitamins, nitric oxide and acute phase proteins in Nigerian Cigarette Smokers

It is established that there is increased risk of developing heart disease, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, lung cancer and infections in cigarette smokers. However specific mechanisms whereby cigarette smoking causes these are not fully understood. The present study provided information to explain above observation by measuring plasma levels of caeruloplasmin, alpha-2-macroglobulin, nitric oxide (NO) and vitamins C and E in Nigerian cigarette smokers and non-cigarette smokers. The mean values of antioxidant vitamins C and E were significantly lower while NO was not significantly reduced in the smokers compared with the controls. The level of alpha-2-macroglobulin was significantly raised while caeruloplasmin was not significantly raised in smokers compared with controls. This study confirmed that inflammation is a common phenomenon in cigarette smokers and that significantly decreased levels of antioxidant vitamins C and E and raised level of caeruloplasmin might explain the development of cardiovascular diseases in cigarette smokers

Reduced Plasma Levels of Essential Trace Elements in Mycobacterium bovis Infected Cattle In Nigeria.

Ninety-four (94- 39 infected, 55 un-infected with M. bovis) cattle were screened at an abattoir and a farm in Ibadan, Southwestern, Nigeria over a period of eight weeks for bovine tuberculosis. The levels of essential trace elements (Zn, Fe, Se, Cu and Mn) in the plasma collected from 39 Mycobacterium bovis infected cattle and 55 M. bovis free cattle were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The result shows significant reduction between pλ0.01 and pλ0.001 in the levels of all the nutritionally essential trace elements except manganese in the M. bovis infected cattle compared with the un-iinfected ones. Mineral supplementation is therefore advocated in cattle herds in areas where bovine tuberculosis is endemic

Differential Effects of Alcoholic Beverages and Cigarette Smoke on Humoral Immunity

Cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption are among social practices of some Nigerian youths. These practices have adverse health consequences but the basis of which is yet to be elucidated. This study was designed to provide information on humoral immune responses in Nigerians that smoke cigarettes, consume alcohol or combine cigarette smoking with alcohol use. The serum levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, alpha-2-macroglobulin, caeruloplasmin and transferrin were determined in 13 male Nigerians that smoke cigarettes, 15 male Nigerians that consume alcohol, 16 male Nigerians that combine both cigarette smoking and alcohol use, and 14 sex/age matched controls by immunodiffusion method. The result shows that immunoglobulin classes were increased in all test subjects compared with controls. IgA was significantly increased in subjects that combined cigarette smoking alcohol consumption compared with the controls. IgG and IgM were significantly increased in cigarette smokers compared with the controls while IgG was significantly increased in those that consume only alcohol compared with the controls. All the three acute phase proteins were reduced in subjects that consume alcohol compared with the controls while these acute phase proteins were raised in cigarette smokers compared with controls. In subjects that combine the consumption of alcohol with cigarette smoking, the level of caeruloplasmin and transferrin were raised while alpha-2-macroglobulin was reduced compared with the controls. The study shows that alcohol consumption or cigarette smoking affects different aspects of humoral immunity. Raised levels of immunoglobulin classes in the three groups of test subjects hypothesised the development of auto-immune disease in long term alcohol- and cigarette-users