IMMUNOGLOBULIN CLASSES (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE) AND LIVER FUNCTION TESTS IN NIGERIAN CEMENT FACTORY WORKERS

Abstract: Crystalline silica has recently been reported to act as an adjuvant which increases inflammation and antibody production. On the basis of new knowledge, it is possible that cement dust may have effects on the immune functions of cement factory workers. Previous studies on Nigerian cement factory workers were concentrated on the pulmonary function tests, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), prevalence of chest infections and liver function tests neglecting the immune parameters of the cement workers. The present study determines the levels of serum immunoglobulin classes (IgA, IgM, IgG & IgE) and Alanine aminotransaminase, Alkaline phosphatase, total bilirubin and gamma glutamyl transferase in 45 male cement factory workers that are occupationally exposed to cement dust compared with 30, age and sex-matched, office workers that were not resident in the town of study. Immunodiffusion method was used to determine serum IgA, IgM, IgG while ELISA method was used to determine serum IgE. Alkaline phosphatase(ALP), alanine amino transferase(ALT), bilirubin were determined using Hitachi 902 auto analyser while gamma glutamyl transferase(GGT) was determined using colorimetric method. The levels of IgM and IgA were not statistically different in cement factory workers compared with control (p>0.05) while IgG and IgE were significantly higher in cement factory workers (p<0.05) when compared with corresponding levels in the controls. Also, ALP and bilirubin were higher in the test subjects than in control group (p<0.05). Though the mean levels of ALT and GGT were not statistically significantly higher cement factory workers when compared with control group (p>0.05). This study demonstrated that higher level of IgG may be a mechanism to block anaphylaxis reaction of IgE in Nigerian cement factory workers. The raised ALP and bilirubin levels may suggest hepatotoxic effects of cement dust

Antioxidant and oxidative stress status in type 2 diabetes and diabetic foot ulcer

Objective. Oxidative stress (OS) has been implicated in the aetiology and progression of diabetic complications including diabetic foot ulcer. In this study, the levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) as well as the enzymatic antioxidant activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in type 2 diabetes mellitus and diabetic foot ulcer subjects were assessed and compared with apparently healthy normal subjects to understand the involvement of OS in the subjects. Method. The abovementioned OS markers were measured in 50 subjects for each of the following groups: type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), diabetic foot ulcer (DF) and non-diabetic control (NC). Results. Significant elevated values of LPO (39.86%) and 8-OHdG (45.53%) were found in DM subjects compared with the NC subjects. This increase in both parameters was greater for DF subjects: 80.23% and 53.91% respectively. SOD activities were significantly reduced in DM (14.82%) and DF (4.09%) subjects in contrast with elevated activities of GPx observed in DM (21.87%) and DF (20.94%) subjects. Glycated haemoglobin/fasting plasma glucose (HbA1c/FPG) correlated positively with LPO, 8-OHdG and GPx, whereas a negative correlation was observed for SOD. Conclusion. Increased oxidation subsequent to diabetic conditions induces an over-expression of GPx activity suggesting a compensatory mechanism by the body to prevent further tissue damage in the subjects. JEMDSA Vol. 13 (2) 2008: pp. 58-6

Correlation of Serum PSA and Gleason Score in Nigerian Men with Prostate Cancer

Objective: Prostate cancer is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. While the predisposing factors are not fully understood, African descent is an important risk factor, and prostate cancer has become the number-one cancer in Nigerian men. This was a retrospective study of the correlation between serum prostate specifi c antigen (PSA) and Gleason grade and score in patients of Nigerian descent. Patients and Methods: The University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan Cancer Registry was used to identify and quantify the incidence of prostate cancers occurring between 1998 and 2000. The histological slides of appropriate cases were reviewed to confi rm the Gleason grade and score. The serum PSA values were retrieved from the patients\' case notes and laboratory files. The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis to look for associations and correlations. Results: The study included 67 men with prostate adenocarcinoma and PSA measurements who were diagnosed and treated at the UCH Ibadan between January 1998 and December 2000. There was a positive correlation between serum PSA and Gleason grade, as well as between serum PSA and Gleason score in our cohort of Nigerian African men with prostate cancer. PSA levels were significantly lower in patients with stage B disease than in patients with stage D disease. Conclusion: Serum PSA is signifi cantly higher in metastatic than in localized disease. Further studies are necessary to determine biomarkers that complement serum PSA and the Gleason grading system in the prognostication of prostate cancer in African patients African Journal of Urology Vol. 14 (1) 2008: pp. 15-2