Association between a marker of sperm DNA damage and sperm indices in infertile males in Benin City, Nigeria: A cross-sectional study

Background: Studies have shown oxidative DNA damage is associated with male infertility. Objective: This study determines the levels of 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and some markers of oxidative stress in seminal fluid of males investigated for infertility and men of proven fertility in Benin City, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: Semen samples produced by self or assisted masturbation were analyzed by microscopic technique according to the World Health Organization guidelines. Thereafter, samples were centrifuged and seminal fluid plasma separated and stored at -20°C prior to assay for 8-OHdG and oxidative stress biomarkers. Based on the sperm concentration/count, the overall samples were grouped into the following categories: normospermia (n = 20), oligozoospermia (n = 30), and azoospermia (n = 20). The control group comprised of 30 age-matched males of proven fertility. The seminal fluid 8-OHdG, total antioxidant status, superoxide dismutase and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assayed through ELISA and spectrophotometric methods, respectively. Results: Seminal plasma level of 8-OHdG and MDA were significantly higher (p = 0.01) in infertile subjects than controls. The mean levels of 8-OHdG and MDA in infertile subjects were higher in azoospermia than oligospermia than normospermia and so, was least in the normospermia. Conversely, the mean levels of total antioxidant status and superoxide dismutase were significantly lower (p = 0.01) in infertile than fertile the control male subjects with levels higher in normospermia than oligospermia and least in azoospermia. Moreover, the seminal 8-OHdG correlated negatively with sperm count (r = -0.359, p = 0.01), percent motility (r = -0.388, p = 0.04), and percent morphology (r = -0.327, p = 0.02). Conclusion: The assessment of sperm DNA damage in addition to routine seminal fluid analysis may play an important role in specific diagnosis and management of male infertility. Key words: Male, Semen, Antioxidants, Sperm count, DNA damage

Association of CD4 cell count and antiretroviral therapy antibody production in Human Immunodeficiency virus seropositive subjects on antiretroviral drugs in Benin City, Nigeria.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is widely used and subjects on ART were reported to develop antibodies against these drugs when used as monotherapy. The aim of this study was to determine the proportion of HIV-sero positive subjects on antiretroviral therapy who developed antibodies to the drugs used as combination therapy and to associate the presence of antibodies to CD4 cell count which is a marker of disease progression. A total of 300 subjects were randomly selected for the study, consisting of 100 HIV-sero positive subjects already on ART, 100 newly diagnosed HIV-sero positive ART- naive subjects and 100 HIV-sero negative individuals who were monitored as controls. CD4 cell count and complete blood count were assayed using BD FASCOUNT CD3/CD4 and Sysmex KX-21N autoanalyzer respectively. Antigen-Antibody agglutination technique was used to detect antibodies produced against antiretroviral drugs in HIV -sero positive subjects on ART. The results showed that antibodies to antiretroviral drugs (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate/lamivudine Efavirenz + lamivudine/ nevirapine/zidovudine combination) were detected in 33(33%) out of the 100 HIV-sero positive subjects on ART studied. Significantly higher CD4 cell count (p<0.001), PCV (p<0.001) and white blood cell count (p<0.001) were recorded among control group than HIV positive subjects whether they in 33(33%) out of the 100 HIV- sero positive subjects on ART combination studied.  The use of combination therapy has led to a smaller number of subjects on ART who developed antibody as against a higher percentage on monotherapy that was previously reported. Significantly lower level of platelet was observed among HIV-sero positive subjects who developed ART antibodies.&nbsp

Blood levels of some toxic metals in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Type 1- infection

Background: The introduction of antiretroviral therapy has reduced the mortality rate and increased the average life-expectancy of HIV-infected population. Infection probably due to the combination of the effects of environmental exposures and chronic inflammation and the role of mpact in infected individuals have been under-reported. Objective: To compare the plasma levels of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and nickel (Ni) in HIV 1 –positive subjects receiving highly active anti-retroviral therapy treatment (HAART) and treatment-naïve subjects. Methods: The 300 study participants comprised 100 confirmed HIV-1 positive individuals on HAART, 100 HIV-1 positive HAART-naïve and 100 HIV-1 negative controls. Plasma levels of toxic metals were determined using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (Agilent 7500, Norwalk, USA). Results: Plasma levels of toxic metals were significantly higher among HIV-infected subjects than controls (p <0.001), with only Cadmium concentration being significantly higher (p = 0.05) among the HAART-treated subjects than HAART-naïve subjects. Conclusion: High toxic metal levels may lead to increased oxidative stress and adverse prognostic outcomes. Periodic evaluation of the blood levels of some toxic metals in HIV-1 infected individual is suggested and preventive strategies against environmental pollution should be adopted

Impact of Manganese Levels on Sperm Functional Characteristics Among Men Investigated for Infertility in Benin, Nigeria

Background: Manganese (Mn) is absolutely necessary for several biological functions in the body, but higher concentrations may be extremely harmful to male reproductive health. Objectives: This study aimed to determine Mn, zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) levels in serum and seminal plasma and correlate their concentrations with sperm quantity and quality among men investigated for infertility. Methods: A total of 70 infertile males in the age range of 25-45 years and 50 control subjects were evaluated in this study. The semen samples were analyzed by the microscopic technique, while Mn, Zn, and Cu were analyzed using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Socio-demographic parameters were obtained using a semi-structured questionnaire. Then, unpaired Student’s t test and chi-square test were used to compare the discrete data between infertile males and controls and categorical data, respectively. Finally, Pearson’s correlation coefficient was employed to correlate measured elements with sperm induces. Results: The sperm count, sperm motility, viability, and serum/seminal plasma Zn and Cu levels were significantly lower (P<0.001), while the Mn and Cu/Zn ratios were significantly higher (P<0.001) among infertile men than control subjects. Serum/seminal plasma Mn levels were inversely correlated with the sperm count (r=-0.279, P=0.02), motility (r=-0.279, P=0.02), and morphology (r=-0.275, P0.04), while Zn levels were positively correlated with sperm motility (r=0.238, P=0.04) and morphology (r=0.258, P<0.03). Eventually, Cu was inversely correlated with motility (r=-0.237, P=0.04) and morphology (r=-0.235, P=0.04). Conclusion: Overall, high levels of Mn in the serum and seminal plasma may have an adverse effect on sperm quantity and quality, and thus, there is a need for routine Mn determination as part of the investigation in the evaluation of infertile males irrespective of the occupation of subjects

Serum total Calcium to Magnesium ratio is higher in Sickle cell disease patients with proteinuria than without proteinuria

 Intracellular imbalance in the levels of calcium to magnesium ratio could lead to clinical complications in Sickle cell disease patients (SCD). Proteinuria is common in SCD patients especially with increasing age and may affect the intracellular level of calcium to magnesium ratio. This study evaluates the total calcium to magnesium ratio in SCD patients with proteinuria and compared to those without proteinuria. Serum total calcium and magnesium were determined using colorimetric method, while urine protein was assayed using urinalysis dipstick and sulphosalicylic turbidometric method. Out of the 100 SCD patients, urine protein was detected and assayed in 27 while 73 were negative for urinary protein. Total calcium to magnesium ratio and urine protein were significantly higher (p&lt;0.001), while magnesium (p&lt;0.001) and calcium (p&lt;0.01) were significantly lower in SCD patients with proteinuria compared to those without proteinuria. Total calcium to magnesium ratio correlated positively (r=0.38;p&lt;0.05) with proteinuria in SCD patients. Total calcium to magnesium ratio is higher in SCD patients with proteinuria than without proteinuria. Routine calculation of this ratio could be helpful in assessing the intracellular balance of calcium and magnesium in the management of SCD patients

Use of atherogenic index of plasma in evaluating the potential cardioprotective effects of red wine consumption: Studies in Nigerian young adult volunteers

There is increased interest in the biomedical basis of the \u201cFrench paradox\u201d 12 the epidemiological phenomenon linking co-existence of cardiovascular risk factors with moderate consumption of red wine. This study examines the predictive values and development or otherwise of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events by using the values of atherogenic lipid of plasma (AIP), cardiac risk ratios (CRR) and atherogenic coefficient (AC) to test the hypothesis of cardio-protection of red wine consumption in young adult volunteers. It has been suggested that these indices are better than the conventional lipid profile parameters in the assessment of cardioprotective activity of acute red wine ingestion. Five ml of fasting blood was collected from each participant before they were given 300 ml of 11.5% v/v alcoholic red wine to drink within 5 minutes. One hour after ingestion of the wine, further 5 ml blood samples were collected. The plasma levels of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-c) were determined, after which CRR, AC and AIP were calculated. The results show that red wine consumption induced increase in the levels of TG (p&lt;0.05), HDL-c (p&lt;0.001) and VLDL-c (p&gt;0.05), but a decrease in the levels of TC and LDL-c (p&lt;0.001). This study shows that all lipoprotein-related indices of atherogenicity (with the exception of HDL-c/LDL-c ratio) were significantly reduced (p&lt;0.001) one hour after red wine ingestion in Nigerian blacks. However, the predictive value of this finding for cardiovascular events remained to be demonstrated

Variation in some Haematological Parameters in Newborns at Different Locations in Delta State, Nigeria

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Impact of Soybean Phytoestrogen-Rich Extract on Markers of Inflammation Markers in 4-Vinyl Cyclohexane Diepoxide-Induced Menopause in Albino Rats

The vasomotor symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes, sweating, physical and psychological discomfort, and emotional changes, are accurate and experienced by many of the menopausal and postmenopausal female population. In addition, it causes osteoporosis and slowed metabolism, raising the chance of developing many different ailments. Given that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) has been linked to an increased cancer risk, this investigation was undertaken to identify viable alternatives. The study aimed to investigate the impact of Soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract on some markers of inflammation of 4-vinyl cyclohexene diepoxide-induced menopause in albino rats. Sixty-five (65) female albino Wistar rats were employed in the investigation. Each one was induced with 80mg/kg of 4-vinyl cyclohexene diepoxide before being treated with either normal estradiol therapy (14ug/kg) or varying concentrations of the soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract (200 mg/kg, 400 mg/kg, and 600 mg/kg). Inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)) were measured by ELISA methods. Statistical software SPSS (IBM) version 23.0 was used to analyze the data. Compared to the positive control group, the soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract therapy group saw a dose-dependent reduction in CRP and IL-6 levels (p&lt;0.05) but not in TNF-α (P&gt;0.05). Data from this research demonstrate the anti-inflammatory effects of soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract therapy in menopause-induced female Wistar rats. Soybean phytoestrogen-rich extract therapy in a high dose appears to show no significant difference from hormone replacement therapy as an alternate estrogen source in managing inflammation as a chronic disease

Copper-To-Zinc Ratio as an Inflammatory Marker in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited disorder and a major health challenge in Nigeria. Micronutrient deficiencies often associated with the disorder may cause inflammation and abnormal metabolism in the body. The copper-to-zinc ratio is a more relevant diagnostic measure than the concentration of either metal alone in clinical practice. This study seeks to evaluate serum levels of c-reactive protein (CRP), copper, zinc and the copper-to-zinc ratio, and to correlate the latter with CRP in adult subjects with SCD. Serum copper, zinc, CRP and plasma fibrinogen were assayed in 100 confirmed SCD patients in steady clinical state and 100 age- and sex-matched subjects with normal hemoglobin. Serum copper and zinc were assayed by the colorimetric method using reagents supplied by Centronic, Germany, while CRP and fibrinogen were assayed using reagents supplied by Sigma (St. Louis, MO, USA) and Anogen (Ontario, Canada), respectively. The copper-to-zinc ratio was calculated from serum levels of copper and zinc. The measured parameters were compared between the groups using the Students t-test, and the Pearson correlation coefficient was used to relate CRP with the other parameters. Serum copper, CRP, fibrinogen and the copper-to-zinc ratio were significantly higher (p &lt; 0.001), while zinc level was lower in SCD patients than in controls. Serum CRP concentration correlated with copper (r = 0.10; p &lt; 0.02), zinc (r = &minus;0.199; p &lt; 0.05) and the copper-to-zinc ratio (r = 0.312; p &lt; 0.002), but the correlation between CRP and fibrinogen was not significant. Inflammation may modulate copper and zinc homeostasis, and the copper-to-zinc ratio may be used as a marker of nutritional deficiency and inflammation in SCD patients