Effect of ageing on some biophysical parameters amongst males in Benin City, Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the effect of ageing on the CD4+ T cells count, testosterone, progesterone, and estrogen concentration in a view to evaluating the alterations associated with it. A total of 102 subjects aged between 20 and 80 years participated in the study.CD4+ T cell was estimated using Partec cyflow counter. Testosterone, progesterone and estrogen were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods. Our finding revealed a significant decrease in absolute lymphocyte count, CD4+ T cells count, progesterone, and testosterone concentration of the elderly males when compared with the young males (P < 0.05). Ageing induces a decrease in CD4+ T cells, progesterone and testosterone level which could be linked to the complications associated it.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: CD4+ T cells, ageing, testosterone, hypogonadism, thymus glan

Some physiochemical changes associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Benin City, Nigeria

The present study was designed to determine the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, serum c reactive protein (CRP) and CD4+ T cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus in a view to assessing the complications associated with the non specific activation of CD4+ T cells. A total of 80 subjects aged between 18 and 50 years gave their consent to participate in the study. They consist of 40 known type 2 diabetes mellitus and 40 aged matched apparently healthy control subjects on routine checkup. Malondialdehyde concentration was determined by spectrophotometric method. Serum c reactive protein was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. CD4+ T cells were estimated using Partec cyflow counter. There was a significant increase in MDA concentration, CRP and CD4+ T cells in type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects when compared with the aged matched control group (P < 0.05). Type 2 diabetes mellitus causes an increased production of free radicals which is possibly linked to the complications associated with non specific activation of CD4+ T cells.© 2015 International Formulae Group. All rights reserved.Keywords: Free radicals, CD4+ T cells, diabetes mellitus, cytokines, c reactive protein, malondialdehyd

Effect of academic stress on serum cortisol level and CD4 cell count in young male postgraduate students in Okada, Nigeria

To assess the effect of stress on serum cortisol level and CD4 cell count in young male postgraduate students at Igbinedion University, a cross  sectional laboratory based analysis survey was adopted for this study. A total of 104 male volunteer postgraduate students (age 22 + 7.0 years, body mass index 26 + 0.5 kg/m2) were randomly recruited. Total white blood cell (TWBC) was determined using the Sysmex® AutomatedHematology Analyzer. CD4 cell count was estimated using Partec cyflow counter. Serum cortisol level was determined by enzyme-linked  immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. It was observed that there was asignificant (P < 0.05) increase in the serum cortisol level at stage A (1st day of the semester) when compared with stage B (midway in the semester) and C (morning of the examination), while there was significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the TWBC count and CD4 cell count at A stage when compared with stage B and C. It was observed that academic stress was inhibitory of the proliferation of CD4 cells with the elevation of serumcortisol as a possible mediator.Keywords: Stress, cortisol, CD4 cell, ELISA

Effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (haart) on cd4+ cell count and liver enzymes in HIV infection at Lokoja, Nigeria

AimTo assess the effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on CD4 + cell count and liver enzymes in HIV-infected patients six month post-therapy based on age and sex distribution.MethodsA cohort of 200 (66 males, 134 females) consenting HAAR naïve patients, aged between 16 and 65 years with confirmed cases of HIV infection (by Western blot method) at Lokoja, Nigeria having a baseline CD4 + cell counts ≤350 cells/µL were initiated on HAART for six months. Two blood samples were collected, one at pre-HAART (baseline) and the other at post-HAART (follow-up) phase. CD4 + cells were counted and liver enzymes levels were evaluated using the Partec® Cyflow Counter and Reflotron® Plus Auto-Analyzer, respectively.ResultsThe immunological outcome of 6 months HAART shows that there was slight increase (statistically, considered not significant, P>0.05) in the post-HAART mean±SEMCD4 + cell count in the different age and sex strata investigated, when comparison was made with the pre-HAART mean±SEMCD4 + cell count. Also, the post HAART liver function test show that the liver enzymes levels were not significantly (P>0.05) elevated when compared to the baseline values.ConclusionSix months of HAART replete CD4 + cell counts of HIV-infected patients of different age and sex strata, with no risk of liver damage