Elevated plasma homocysteine in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases

Elevated plasma total homocysteine (tHcy) concentration has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular events in type 2 diabetic individuals independent of conventional risk factors. Available study in Nigerian-Africans is scare. Methods: Seventy (30 males) and (40 females) type 2 diabetes mellitus, with age mean of 54 ± 11.52 years were selected for this study and thirty apparently healthy volunteers were included as controls. The biochemical parameters and anthropometric indices were determined using standard procedures. Results: Significant increases were obtained in body weight, body mass index (p<0.001) and waist circumference (p<0.012) when compared with the corresponding control values respectively. The fasting plasma glucose (p<0.01), tHcy (p<0.02), and triglyceride (p<0.03) were significantly higher in the diabetes group when compared with the corresponding control values. The plasma folic acid and vitamin B12 (p<0.05) were significantly reduced compared to the control values. The tHcy (p<0.01) was significantly higher in the males when compared with the corresponding female value. Significant decrease was obtained in the plasma triglyceride (p<0.003) in the male patients when compared with the female patients. Conclusion: Our result showed increased plasma tHcy, triglyceride and waist circumference as well as decreased folic acid and vitamin B12 in type 2 diabetes mellitus. These alteratsupions are risk factors for premature CVD events. Pan African Medical Journal 2012; 12:4

Variations in plasma lipids and lipoproteins among cardiovascular disease patients in South-western Nigerians

This study was designed to assess the changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins, in particular high-density lipoprotein (HDLC) in patients suffering from different types of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in South-western Nigeria. Patients were drawn from different socioeconomic classes in order to determine the effect of this factor on CVD in Nigeria. One hundred and seventy (74 males, 96 females) CVD patients (hypertensive heart disease (n=48), hypertension (n=59), ischaemic heart disease (n=49), myocardial infarction (n=4)) with a mean age of 45.3\ub113.2 years were selected. Fifty-eight individuals (31 males and 27 female) with mean age of 44.8\ub111.7 years were included as controls. Result showed significant increases in mean plasma total cholesterol (TC) (P < 0.05), triglyceride and low density lipoproteins (LDLC) (P < 0.01), LDLC: HDLC (p < 0.001), as well as in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p < 0.001), while plasma HDLC (p < 0.01) and HDLC:TC (p < 0.001) showed significant decreases when compared with the corresponding mean control values. There were graded decreases in plasma HDLC in the different socioeconomic classes. The lowest mean plasma HDLC was found in IHD patients. This study has uncovered variations in plasma lipids and lipoproteins among patients of CVD within the different socioeconomic classes in South-western Nigeria

Variations in plasma lipids and lipoproteins among cardiovascular disease patients in South-western Nigerians

This study was designed to assess the changes in plasma lipids and lipoproteins, in particular high-density lipoprotein (HDLC) in patients suffering from different types of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in South-western Nigeria. Patients were drawn from different socioeconomic classes in order to determine the effect of this factor on CVD in Nigeria. One hundred and seventy (74 males, 96 females) CVD patients (hypertensive heart disease (n=48), hypertension (n=59), ischaemic heart disease (n=49), myocardial infarction (n=4)) with a mean age of 45.3±13.2 years were selected. Fifty-eight individuals (31 males and 27 female) with mean age of 44.8±11.7 years were included as controls. Result showed significant increases in mean plasma total cholesterol (TC) (P < 0.05), triglyceride and low density lipoproteins (LDLC) (P < 0.01), LDLC: HDLC (p < 0.001), as well as in systolic and diastolic blood pressures (p < 0.001), while plasma HDLC (p < 0.01) and HDLC:TC (p < 0.001) showed significant decreases when compared with the corresponding mean control values. There were graded decreases in plasma HDLC in the different socioeconomic classes. The lowest mean plasma HDLC was found in IHD patients. This study has uncovered variations in plasma lipids and lipoproteins among patients of CVD within the different socioeconomic classes in South-western Nigeria

The Effect Of Garlic On Plasma Lipids And Lipoproteins In Rats Fed On High Cholesterol Enriched Diet

Garlic has been reported in some populations to possess hypolipdemic effect in particular on low density lipoprotein cholesterol, thus preventing cardiovascular disease risk. Sixteen male albino rats of seven weeks old were purchased for this study. These were divided into four groups of four per group. Group A was fed on a high cholesterol diet and garlic, group B was fed on high cholesterol diet only, group C was fed on normal diet (controls) and group D was fed on normal diet and garlic. The plasma lipids, lipoproteins and tissues histological appearances were determined using standard procedures. Results showed significant decreased in the mean wet tissue weight of the kidney (p<0.001) in the group fed on high Cholesterol+garlic diet. The plasma LDLC was markedly reduced in the groups fed on high cholesterol diet + garlic as well as normal diet+garlic. The mean plasma HDLC although not statistically significant was higher in these groups. Histological findings showed pronounced atheromatous changes in the coronary artery of rats fed on high cholesterol diet. The consumption of raw garlic has beneficial effect on plasma total cholesterol, and LDLC in rats fed on high cholesterol diet