EFFECT OF CIGARETTE SMOKING ON SERUM TRANSAMINASES.

Alanine transaminase and aspartate transaminase activity were assessed in 20 mild to moderate smokers, 20 heavy smokers and 20 non smokers, all males, aged between 17 and 35 years in Calabar Cross River State, Nigeria. The activity of both enzymes showed insignificant differences (P>0.05) in mild to moderate smokers when compared to non-smokers. However, the activity of both enzymes were significantly elevated (

Athoropometric measurements and plasma proteins in protein energy malnutrition

No Abstract. Global Journal of Medical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 7-1

Cadmium and lead content of packaged water and water boreholes in Calabar metropolis

Cadmium and lead concentrations were determined in forty water samples from different locations in Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria using the flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (AAS 210 VGP). Twenty of these were from boreholes and twenty were from packaged water also known as pure water. The mean cadmium concentrations of boreholes and packaged water samples were 19.00 ± 17.00µg/l and 0.50 ± 0.80µg/l respectively while the lead concentrations were 25.00 ± 24.00µg/l and 1.50 ± 2.60µg/l respectively. The lead and cadmium concentrations of borehole water samples were significantly (P < 0.01) higher than those from packaged water. The mean cadmium and lead concentrations of packaged water samples were below the WHO drinking water guidelines limits whereas those from boreholes were higher. Packaged water samples are relatively cadmium and lead free and are therefore safe for drinking. Keywords: cadmium, lead, boreholes, packaged water Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol. 5(1), 2005: 33-3

Serum and Urine Levels of Zinc and Selenium in Diabetics in Calabar, Nigeria

The study aimed to determine the serum and urine zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) in diabetics and non-diabetics in Calabar, Nigeria. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), urine creatinine and serum and urine zinc and selenium levels were determined in 60 diabetic subjects aged between 35-75 years and 40 age-matched non-diabetic subjects using colorimetric methods and Atomic Absorption Spectrometry. The FPG, urine Zn and Se levels were significantly higher and serum Zn and urine creatinine levels lower in diabetics than those of non-diabetics. No significant difference was observed in the serum Se levels of both groups. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.01) was observed between serum Zn and serum Se (r = 0.368), urine Zn and urine Se (r = 0.446) and a negative correlation (p < 0.05, r = -0.287) between serum Se and urine Se levels of diabetics. There was no association between serum and urine zinc levels of diabetics. Diabetes alters the metabolism of zinc and selenium by increasing their urinary excretion. Key words: serum, urine, selenium zinc and diabetes Journal of Medical Laboratory Science Vol.13(1) 2004: 17 - 2

Nitrates and nitrites content of water boreholes and packaged water in Calabar metropolis

Nitrate and nitrite levels were determined in forty-three water samples obtained from different locations in Calabar using colorimetric methods. Twenty-three of these samples were packaged water while twenty were borehole water. Nitrate levels were found to be 24.28 ± 9.30&mu;g/ml and 34.57 ± 14.56µ/ml for packaged water and borehole water respectively. Nitrite concentration were 0.09 ± 0.07&mu;g/ml and 0.06 ± 0.06µg/ml for packaged water and borehole water respectively. Nitrates were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in borehole water than in packaged water. The mean nitrate and nitrite levels in water samples studied were below the allowed Maximum Contamination Level (MCL) of 44.30&mu;g NO3/ml and 1.00&mu;g NO3/ml respectively as recommended by United States Public Health Service and adopted by Federal Environmental Protection Agency of Nigeria (FEPA). The toxicological importances of the findings are discussed. Keywords: nitrates, nitrites, boreholes, packaged water Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol. 5(1), 2005: 7-1

Comparative study of C-Reactive Protein and other biochemical parameters in patients with hepatitis B and malaria in Calabar, Nigeria

Serum levels of C-reactive proteins (CRP), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total protein, albumin and globulins were investigated using high sensitivity Immunoturbidometric and colorimetric techniques in individuals with hepatitis (n=50), Malaria (n=50) and 40 control subjects in age range of 30 to 65 years. The hepatitis patients had a significantly higher (P &lt; 0.01) level of aminotransferases when compared to malaria patients and control subjects. The mean value of ALT was 103.50 ± 71.4 IU/L and 46.72 ±17.48 IU/L for hepatitis and malaria respectively. The values for AST were 116.76 ± 63.27 IU/L and 57.74 IU/L ± 15.18 IU/L for hepatitis and malaria respectively while the values for control were 34.75 ± 14.64 and 35.25 ± 15.56 IU/L for AST and ALT respectively. The malaria patients showed a significantly higher level (P &lt; 0.01) of aminotransferases when compared to the control. The mean serum CRP levels were 0.71 ± 0.11 mg/dL and 0.78 ± 0.13 mg/dL for hepatitis and malaria respectively. These values were significantly higher (P &lt; 0.01) than those of the controls which was 0.32 ± 0.12 mg/dL. The values of CRP in malaria were significantly higher (P&lt; 0.05) when compared with hepatitis. In malaria, AST correlated with CRP (r = 0.58). The mean serum proteins of hepatitis patients were significantly lower (P &lt; 0.05) than those of the control and malaria while there were no significant differences between the total protein in malaria when compared with control. Albumin levels in both patients were significantly lower (P &gt; 0.05) than those of the controls. The mean values were 33.40 ± 3.40g/L and 34.47 ± 3.56g/L for hepatitis and malaria respectively and 37.00 ± 3.43 g/L for the control. C-reactive protein correlated negatively with albumin in malaria (r = -0.26) while albumin had a negative correlation with globulin(r = -0.36). Also albumin-globulin ratio were significantly (P &lt; 0.05) decreased in both patients when compared with controls. This result suggests that a systemic acute phase response is present in hepatitis and malaria patients hence measurement of C-reactive proteins may be helpful in the diagnosis and management of hepatitis and malaria; especially in the malaria endemic region such as Nigeria. Keywords: Hepatitis B, Malaria, C-reactive protein, Liver function testsNig. J. Physiol. Sci. 26(June 2011) 109 – 11