Serum Lipid and Lipoprotein Profile in Nigerian Patients with Haematological Malignancies

Purpose: To evaluate the changes in lipid and lipoprotein patterns in adult patients with haematological cancers with any possible risk of cardiovascular event. Patients and Methods: The clinico-pathological types of haematological cancers, body mass index and ages of the of all 74 haematological cancer patients attending University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria between January 2005 and September 2008 were evaluated. The serum lipid and liporprotein levels of the blood samples collected from the patients were assayed. The data were analysed and compared statistically with those of 45 health control subjects. Results: The mean serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein in the patients (2.5±1.0mmol/l and 1.5±1.0mmol/l) were significantly lower than those of controls (4.1±1.1mmol/l and 2.4±1.1mmol/l), respectively (p=0.0004). However, the mean serum triglyceride of the patients was significantly higher than the controls (p=0.007). Conclusion: Patients presenting with haematological malignancies have reduced levels of total serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol but elevated level of serum triglyceride. Keywords: Haematological cancers, lipids and lipoprotein, cardiovascular risk

Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) in Patients with Haematological Malignancies in Niger Delta-region of Nigeria

Introduction: Haematological malignancies (HM) are malignant disorders involving the haemopoietic system. Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development and evolution of these disorders. To measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in patients with HM and to determine if any, the relationship between TAC and total lipid in these patients.Presentation of the case: This is a multicentre cross sectional study. Patients were sampled with self administered questionnaire that documented their biodata and the various types of haematological malignancies they had.  Blood samples from 31 patients with HM and 11 controls were assessed for TAC and total lipids using RelAssay and TECO diagnostic kits respectively. Difference between means was compared using student T-test. The relationship between TAC and TL was measured using Pearson’s correlation coefficient.Total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in patients with HM. The mean total lipid concentrations of the cancer patients were higher than in the controls but this was not statistically significant (p0.05). A negative correlation was found between TAC and total lipids in patients with HM.Conclusion: This study has further affirmed that patients with HM have a significantly lower antioxidant activity. However, further investigations are required to fully elucidate the mechanism and clinical implications of reduced TAC in these patients

Glycated Haemoglobin In Healthy Adult Nigerians In Benin

Click on the link to view the abstract.The Tropical Journal of Health Sciences Vol 21 No 1 (January, 2014

Frequency of Atherogenic Risk in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Non-Diabetes Mellitus Patients

Background : In the last two decades considerable interest has been directed towards the investigation of plasma lipids and related compounds in healthy and diseased individuals .The lipid levels may be affected by age, sex, lifestyle, dietary habits, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, contraceptive use and certain genetic predisposing factors. In all, diabetes mellitus is regarded as a major independent factor responsible for hyperlipidaemia and coronary heart disease either by exacerbation of atherogenic risk factors or by production of its own risk factors. Objectives: Was to assess the degree of atherogenic risk in type 2 DM and non-DM patients and to determine the prevalence of desirable and high risk levels of lipid profile in both studied groups using the ATP III classification. Patients and methods: A total of 192 participants, consisting of one hundred (100) type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and ninety-two (92) healthy controls were randomly selected and studied The weight, height and blood pressure of the participants were measured and their fasting blood samples obtained for plasma glucose and lipid profile were assayed using standardized methods. Results: The diabetics had higher mean TG, LDL-c and TC as follows: 119.0(52.5), 137.5(61.3) and 202.9(55.6) mg/dl when compared to the non-diabetics with the mean values of 92.45(39.7), 73.2(39.8) and 149.7(38.9) mg/dl respectively (p=0.001). It was found that 68%, 23%, 56% and 58% of the diabetic subjects had borderline to high risk levels of TC,TG, LDL-c and HDL-c respectively. This is in contrast to lower percentages of high risk in the control subjects 20%, 6%, 14% and 21% for TC, TG, LDL-c and HDL-c respectively and they were statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: It is our hope that these findings will assist the physicians to focus more on assessment of atherogenic risk in DM so as to enhance intensive preventive and control measures against cardiovascular complications.Keywords: Atherogenic risk, Type 2 DM and non-D

Effects Of Fruits And Vegetables On Electrolytes And Blood Pressure Of Hypertensive Patients Seen In Nigeria

High-fruit and high-vegetable diets are known to have ameliorating effects on many diseases and their complications. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of high fruit and high vegetable diets on the electrolytes and blood pressure of hypertensive patients. This experimental study was conducted at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (formerly Ogun State University), Ogun state, Nigeria. Twenty five hypertensive volunteers from among hypertensive clinic attendees were recruited into the study. They were taught how to prepare two serves of vegetables and fruit (approximately 500g diced fruit salad) per day and were encouraged to consume the serves on daily basis from week one through to week ten. Baseline and bi-weekly assessment of plasma electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate was carried out on the patients. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were also assessed biweekly on the patients during their routine clinic attendance. There was a gradual reduction in plasma sodium and chloride concentrations as well as the blood pressure which became significant in week ten. The mean baseline plasma sodium reduced significantly from 139.0 ± 0.9mmo/L to 137.5 ± 0.9mml/L, P > 0.001 after ten weeks of high fruit and high vegetable diets. Plasma chloride also reduced from baseline value of 103.2 ± 2.5mmol/L to 98.8 ± 0.7mmol/L, P > 0.0001. But the plasma potassium improved from 3.64 ± 0.2mmol/L at baseline to 3.9 ± 0.4mmol/L at week ten, P = 0.0357. The mean systolic blood pressure also dropped from the baseline value of 155.3± 7.6mmHg to 141 ± 2.4 mmHg, P > 0.0001. Also reduced was the mean diastolic blood pressure from 89.3 ± 7.6mmHg to 88.0 ± 2.4, at week ten. However, the plasma bicarbonate and BMI did not charge significantly throughout the study period. High-fruit and high-vegetable diets appear to have an ameliorating effect on the blood pressure of hypertensive patients. This may be beneficial and complementary in the management of hypertension

Gambiense Sleeping Sickness In The Abraka Region Of Delta State, Nigeria: Passive Case Detection (Pcd) At The Baptist Medical Centre (BMC) Eku 1999 – 2004.

Gambiense sleeping sickness is a parasitic disease that is difficult to diagnose due to insidious clinical signs and transient parasitaemias and it poses a major pubic health problem in the Abraka area of Delta State, Nigeria. Passive case detection (PCD) is defined as sleeping sickness cases diagnosed in patients who present voluntarily to the health institution for attention. PCD has remained the mainstay of intervention and control of the disease in this area. This study was conducted to obtain relevant information based on PCD in assessing current situation of the disease and to highlight some challenges evident from the baseline data. The Baptist Medical Centre, (BMC) Eku is located in the Abraka Sleeping Sickness Focus (ASSF). The case records of 73 patients (38 males and 35 females) admitted to the Medical Wards of BMC, Eku between June 1999 and May 2004, with a diagnosis of gambiense sleeping sickness were reviewed for reporting. Five milliliters of venous blood was obtained from each patient into Ethlyene Diamine Tetraacetic acid (EDTA) bottle for microscopy. Lymph node fluid and tissue biopsies were taken from those with lymphadenopathy and CSF collected for screening from all the patients. Buffy coat layer (BCL) and deposits of lymph node fluid (LNF) and CSF were examined for trypanosomes. All patients received three courses of intravascular Melarsoprol at a dose of 2 to 3.6mgkg-1 day-1 for three days for a course, with one week interval between the courses. Trypanosome parasites were detected in blood samples of 2(2.7%) and in the lymph node fluid of 8(11%) patients. All patients were positive by CSF microscopy. The highest prevalence of infection was among patients aged between 26-35 years with 35.6% infection rate, 23.3 percent was recorded among those aged 36-45 years. Of all the 73 cases treated at the BMC, only 10(13.7%) were previously treated in hospital while 44(60.3%) were in traditional centers. Thus traditional care for sleeping sickness is widely practiced in the study area. Keywords: Sleeping sickness, Treatment seeking behaviour, Traditional healers, Abraka, NigeriaSahel Medical Journal Vol. 10 (3) 2007: pp. 89-9

Effects of fruits and vegetables on electolytes and blood pressure of hypertensive patients seen in Nigeria

High-fruit and high-vegetable diets are known to have ameliorating effects on many diseases and their complications. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of high fruit and high vegetable diets on the electrolytes and blood pressure of hypertensive patients. This experimental study was conducted at Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (formerly Ogun State University), Ogun state, Nigeria. Twenty five hypertensive volunteers from among hypertensive clinic attendees were recruited into the study. They were taught how to prepare two serves of vegetables and fruit (approximately 500g diced fruit salad) per day and were encouraged to consume the serves on daily basis from week one through to week ten. Baseline and bi-weekly assessment of plasma electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate was carried out on the patients. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were also assessed biweekly on the patients during their routine clinic attendance. There was a gradual reduction in plasma sodium and chloride concentrations as well as the blood pressure which became significant in week ten. The mean baseline plasma sodium reduced significantly from 139.0 ± 0.9mmo/L to 137.5 ± 0.9mml/L, P < 0.001 after ten weeks of high fruit and high vegetable diets. Plasma chloride also reduced from baseline value of 103.2 ± 2.5mmol/L to 98.8 ± 0.7mmol/L, P < 0.0001. But the plasma potassium improved from 3.64 ± 0.2mmol/L at baseline to 3.9 ± 0.4mmol/L at week ten, P = 0.0357. The mean systolic blood pressure also dropped from the baseline value of 155.3± 7.6mmHg to 141 ± 2.4 mmHg, P < 0.0001. Also reduced was the mean diastolic blood pressure from 89.3 ± 7.6mmHg to 88.0 ± 2.4, at week ten. However, the plasma bicarbonate and BMI did not charge significantly throughout the study period. High-fruit and high-vegetable diets appear to have an ameliorating effect on the blood pressure of hypertensive patients. This may be beneficial and complementary in the management of hypertension. Keywords: Hypertension, Fruits and Vegetables, Electrolytes. AJFAND Vol. 8 (3) 2008: pp. 349-35