Quail eggs consumption and the levels of sex hormonesin healthy students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi

Aim: The present study was design to determine the serum levels of sex hormones (estradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, lutenizing hormone, prolactin, and testosterone) following the consumption of cooked quail eggs by apparently healthy students. Materials and Method: This is an experimental study comprising 37 volunteered students, out of which are 20 females and 17 males within the age of 18±35years respectively. They were fed with three cooked quail eggs every morning for 21 days.  3ml of fasting blood were collected before the intake of cooked quail eggs for baseline, 10th day, and 21st day respectively. Result: The serum levels of estradiol, progesterone, follicle stimulating hormone, lutenizing hormone, prolactin, and testosterone were determined using standard methods. The result showed that the serum testosterone levels increased significantly while prolactin levels decreased significantly at 10th and 21st day  compared with the baseline level (p=0.01). However, the levels of progesterone and estradiol increased significantly at 21st day only compared with their baseline (p=0.01).  The mean levels of FSH, and LH at baseline, 10th and 21st day did not differ significantly following consumption of cooked quail eggs. Conclusion: The probably suggest that regular consumption of cooked quail egg may prevent miscarriage due to low progesterone levels because of its ability to increase progesterone level after consumption. It might as well as cause improvement on male and female fertility

Quail eggs consumption and the levels of glucose, lipid profile in healthy students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi

Aim: The present study was design to determine serum glucose and lipid profile level of triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density cholesterol, low density lipoprotein, very low density lipoprotein following the consumption of cooked quail eggs by apparently healthy students. Materials and Methods: This is an experimental study comprising 37 volunteered students, out of which are 20 females and 17 males within the age of 18±35years respectively. They were fed with three cooked quail eggs every morning for 21 days.3ml of fasting blood were collected before the intake of cooked quail eggs for baseline, 10th day, and 21st day respectively. The serum levels of glucose and lipid profile were determined using standard methods. Results: The result showed that the serum total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein–cholesterol decreased significantly at 10th day and 21st day following consumption of cooked quail eggs when compared with the baseline levels (p< 0.05). While High density lipoprotein – cholesterol increased significantly at 21st day following consumption of cooked quail eggs when compared with the baseline level (p<0.05). Glucose, triglyceride and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol did not differ at 10th day and 21st day following consumption of cooked quail eggs when compared with the baseline (p> 0.05). Conclusion: The implication of this finding suggest that regular consumption of cooked quail eggs may decrease diabetic and cardiovascular risk due to its ability to significantly decrease TC, LDL-C, increase HDL-C and TG, VLDL, glucose not differed

Serum lipid and glucose concentration in relation to some physiological varibles in college students from Nnewi, Nigeria

Background: Serum lipid and glucose levels are largely determined by and or related to certain physical, physiological and biochemical parameters/variables. This study therefore, is aimed at determining the levels of serum lipid and glucose and the relationship between the serum lipid and glucose concentrations and the physical and physiological parameters/variables of apparently healthy individuals. Method: The blood samples of twenty-five medical students in the age range of 20 and 25 years were analyzed, for the serum glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) levels after overnight fast, and LDLc calculated.Result: The mean serum glucose, HDLc, TC and LDLc were not significantly different in females and males students. The serum TG was however significantly lower in females than in the males (90.22 ± 25.17 vs. 116.93 ± 21.54 mg/dl;

Comparison of serum levels of calcium and magnesium among preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Nigeria

Background:Despite numerous studies, the exact aetiology of pre-eclampsia remains unknown. Some studies have shown that supplementation of calcium and magnesium could ameliorate the effects of pre-eclampsia. The objective of this study was to compare the calcium and magnesium levels in the serum of Nigerian women with or without pre-eclampsia.Methods:In this study, serum calcium and magnesium levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry in 54 patients and 48 healthy normotensive pregnant women. The mean, standard deviation, Student’s‘t’ test and Pearson correlation were employed.Results:Serum calcium was significantly lower in patients than controls (9.17 ± 0.6 vs. 7.22 ± 0.5 mg/dl. P <0.001) (t test). Plasma Magnesium was significantly lower in patients than controls 13.19 ± 1.1 vs. 9.81 ± 0.7 mg/dl. P <0.001). The systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed significant inverse correlation with both calcium and magnesium (P<0.01).Conclusion:There was significant reduction in the levels of calcium and magnesium in patients with pre-eclampsia. Dietary supplementation of these trace elements may help to prevent pre-eclampsia

Serum adiponectin and metabolic profile in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome in relation to body mass index

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder which affects approximately 5-10% of women in reproductive age. It is both a reproductive endocrinopathy and a metabolic disorder.Methods: 160 women aged 18 to 40 years attending obstetrics and gynaecology clinic at Federal medical centre, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria were recruited and divided into 2 groups (women diagnosed with PCOS using Rotterdam criteria and control) of 80 participants each. Anthropometric data were collected, and participants categorized into 3 based on BMI. Fasting blood samples was collected for biochemical analyses. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS version 23.0, and level of significance set at p<0.05.Results: The mean serum levels of adiponectin and high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) were significantly lower while fasting plasma glucose, serum insulin, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL-C), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) and triglyceride were significantly higher in women with PCOS when compared with the control (p<0.05) as well as in obese when compared with normal weight women with PCOS (p<0.05). BMI negatively correlated with serum adiponectin and HDL-C, but positively correlated with FPG, insulin, HOMA-IR, TC, TG, LDL-C and VLDL-C in women with PCOS (p<0.05).Conclusions: This study highlights the prevalent biochemical and metabolic derangements in PCOS patients and was more evident in the obese and overweight patients. Early detection with subsequent application of preemptive measures including lifestyle modifications are therefore essential in the management of PCOS patients

The levels of testosterone, zinc, manganese and selenium in type 2 diabetic patient in South-Eastern Nigeria

Background: This study is aimed at evaluating the levels of some trace elements and testosterone, and to ascertain their possible association in type 2 diabetes mellitus.  Methods: Ninety male type 2 diabetic subjects and forty five apparently healthy non-diabetic male individuals were recruited into this study. The control group was matched for age with the study subjects and they were all within the age range of 30-67 years. Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), testosterone, trace elements (zinc, selenium, manganese), Body Mass Index (BMI) were determined.Results: This study showed significant decreases in the levels of trace elements (Zn, Se, and Mn) with a concomitant decrease in the levels of testosterone in type 2 diabetic patients (P <0.001). This findings were further strengthened by the strong positive correlation between testosterone and these trace elements (P <0.05).Conclusion: This suggests that low testosterone level might be as a result of low trace elements considering their role in testosterone production. Therefore, trace elements supplementation is recommended

Effect of moderate - vigorous intensity physical exercise on female sex hormones in premenopausal university students in Nnewi, Nigeria

Background: Sedentary lifestyle and diseases associated with it is on the increase in our communities, state and country as a whole. The objective was to determine the effect of exercise on ovarian reserve status of the participants using day 3 FSH, LH and estrogen values and the ovulatory status of the participants using day 21 progesterone values. Methods: The study was a prospective comparative study. A total of 30 participants were recruited for this work. They were divided into 2 groups: 15 subjects that did exercise for 1 month and 15 controls that didn’t do any form of exercise. Baseline blood samples were collected from the two groups on day 3 and day 21 of the menstrual cycle. The subjects started exercise on day 1 of the next menstrual cycle. Blood samples were collected from the subjects and control on day 3 and day 21 of the next menstrual cycle. Results:There was significant reduction in weight and therefore BMI of the study group compared to control group and study group baseline after one month of exercise (P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the baseline levels of Estrogen, FSH, LH and progesterone between the subjects and control groups before the exercise, but after 1 month of exercise, there were significant differences in the levels of estrogen, FSH, LH and progesterone in these groups (P<0.01). Among the study group there were significant differences in the baseline and final levels of Estrogen, FSH, LH and Progesterone (P<0.01). Conclusions: The hormonal pattern shows that moderate-vigorous exercise may increase the responsiveness and sensitivity of the follicles to FSH and LH with attendant increase in ovulatory status of young females.

Evaluation of nephrotoxic effect of lead exposure among automobile repairers in Nnewi Metropolis

Background:Lead toxicity is one of the most common occupational hazards that affect several organs of the body, kidney inclusive. Auto repairers are exposed to lead in petrol, radiator, leaded battery, lead soldering wire, and spray paints, thus this study was designed to evaluate lead-induced nephrotoxic effect among automobile repairers.Methods:A total of 80 male subjects within the age range of 20 and 65 years were recruited for this study. 50 subjects were occupationally exposed automobile repairers, of which 15 were electricians, 21 mechanics and 14 panel beaters/spray painters, whereas 30 were non-exposed students and staff from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi campus. Blood sample was collected from these individuals and their blood lead levels were determined alongside creatinine, urea, uric acid, sodium, potassium, chloride and bicarbonate.Results:The results showed that the mean levels of blood lead is significantly higher in automobile repairers than in control group (P 0.05). The evaluation of the renal function markers show that, there were significant increases in the mean serum concentration of creatinine, urea, and uric acid in the study group compare to the control subjects (P 0.05).Conclusion:Findings from this study show that blood lead level is high among automobile repairers above CDC recommended level for adults. This high blood lead level among automobile repairers may be responsible for raised levels of renal markers which may eventually lead to their renal damage.

Cytokine Expression in Homozygous Sickle Cell Anaemia

Background: Sickle cell anaemia is an inherited disease in which the red blood cells become rigid and sticky, and change from being disc-shaped to being crescent-shaped. The change in shape is due to the presence of an abnormal form of haemoglobin. This results in severe pain and damage to some organs. Aim and Objective: The study was carried out to determine the levels of cytokine in sickle cell anemia. Material and Methods: Thirty confirmed sickle cell patients in steady state (HbSS-SS) and thirty persons with normal haemoglobin (HbAA) as well as sixteen sickle cell disease in crises (HbSS-cr) between the ages of 15 to 30 years were selected in this study. Cytokines including interleukin 1 beta (IL- 1β), interleukin 2 (IL- 2), interleukin (IL-6), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and interferon gamma (IFN- λ) were measured by commercially available ELISA kits. Results: The results obtained showed that the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in sickle cell anaemia patients in crisis were significantly elevated when compared with sickle cell in steady state (P<0.05). Similarly, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and IFN- λ were significantly increased in sickle cell anaemia stable state when compared to HbAA subjects (P<0.05). Conclusion: This may probably implies that cytokine imbalance is implicated in the pathogenesis of sickle cell crisis. Also, cytokines could be used as an inflammatory marker as well as related marker in disease severity and hence therapeutic intervention

Short-term aerobic exercise does not change kidney function in students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria

Background Exercise has been known to have beneficial effects on human health. The kidneys play an important role in regulating acid-base and water-electrolyte balance disturbances induced by exercise. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of short term aerobic exercise (volleyball training) on the kidney function of apparently healthy individuals. Methods An experimental study of pre-post test design was conducted involving 41 amateur volleyball players, comprising 22 males and 19 females. They were randomly divided into seven different teams. Each team trained for at least 45 minutes for four consecutive days for two weeks. Both pre-and post-exercise blood pressure (BP) was measured using an automatic blood pressure measuring device OMRON 907 (OMRON, Hoofddorp, Netherlands). Likewise, both pre- and post-exercise blood samples were collected into lithium heparin tubes and centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 10 minutes and the plasma separated into plain tubes. Electrolytes were analysed using ion selective electrode machine (SFRI 4000, Germany), urea using modified Berthelot method, creatinine using Jaffe-Slot method and uric acid using the uricase method and estimated glomerular filtration state (eGFR) was calculated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) formula. Results The mean levels of pre- and post-exercise systolic blood pressure, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate and eGFR did not differ significantly (p>0.05). However, serum uric acid was significantly increased (p<0.05), while diastolic BP significantly decreased after exercise (p<0.05). Conclusion The study showed that short-term moderate intensity aerobic exercise does not have any significant effect on the renal functions