3 research outputs found
The activity of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in stored blood
Background: Blood transfusion is a critical component of supportive therapy. Red blood cell viability in stored blood determines successful transfusion. Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity has been shown to maintain red blood cell membrane integrity. This study was, therefore, aimed at estimating the G6PD activity in stored blood bags at the blood bank of the University of Nigeria Teaching hospital (UNTH) Enugu.Methodology: The activity of G6PD in 100 stored blood bags consisting of different ABO groups [A (n=30); B (n=30); O (n=30) and AB (n=10)], stored at the blood bank of the UNTH Enugu between April and August 2009, was determined using methhaemoglobin reduction and ultraviolet (UV) spectrophotometric quantitative methods. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using student’s t-test and analysis of variance.Results: There was statistically significant decrease in the G6PD activity from the third week of storage (p<0.05) at the blood bank, under optimum storage conditions. The different ABO blood groups did not show any significant variation (p>0.05) in G6PD activity.Conclusion: Storage of whole blood for up to three weeks results in significant decrease in the G6PD activity and possibly, affects the red cell viability. Stored blood in the blood bank should be used up before the third week to ensure viability of red blood cells.Keywords: ABO groups, blood transfusion, blood donors, haemolytic anaemia, red blood cell
Atherogenic index of plasma as useful predictor of cardiovascular risk among postmenopausal women in Enugu, Nigeria
Background: Menopausal health in our environment has received little
attention. As an independent risk factor for dyslipidaemia, the degree
and pattern of derangement, though difficult to assess may adversely
affect the cardiovascular health of our women. Objectives: To estimate
the serum lipid profile and the atherogenic index of plasma in normal
post menopausal women. Methods: This is a cross sectional study
involving 80 apparently healthy women voluntarily recruited from staff
of the University of Nigeria and the Teaching Hospital (iJNTH) located
in Enugu. They include 50 postmenopausal subjects aged between 50 and
70 years and 30 premenopausal controls aged between 25 and 49 years.
Total cholesterol (TC), and the various subfractions ;high density
lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very low density lipoprotein
cholesterol (VLDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and
triglycerides (TG) were determined. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP);
log (TG/HDIrC) was calculated. Results: There were statistically
significant increases (P< 0.0001) in TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and AIP
but a statistically significant decrease (P<0.0001) in HDL-C in
postmenopausal women when compared with the premenopausal subjects.
Except HDIrC that showed insignificant reduction, there were
statistically significant derangement of other lipid subfractions as
the duration of menopause increased. Conclusion: Menopause, no doubt
alters lipid profile. A triglyceride based index (AIP) can
significantly add value when assessing the risk of developing
atherosclerosis in Nigeria