Prevalence Of Rh And ABO Blood Groups In HIV Seropositive Pregnant Women In Enugu, Nigeria

HIV status and blood groups determination (Rhesus and ABO groups) in 3691 pregnant women attending antenatal clinic at a Mission Hospital and Maternity and 1199 non-pregnant women visiting the same institution for marriage-related matters, or blood donation, or out-patient department between 1999 – 2002 were studied. Blood sample from each subject was screened for HIV using the quick test kits and tested for blood group types with anti-sera A, B, AB, and D. Overall, the prevalence of blood group O+ was higher than in the general population with highest rate of 62.9% in HIV+ pregnant women followed by 58.4% in HIV- pregnant women and 58.0% in non-pregnant women. No difference was observed in groups A+, B+, AB+, O- for the three categories of subjects studied. Blood groups B-, AB- were conspicuously absent in HIV+ pregnant women but non-significant in HIV- pregnant women and the control. A- was very few in all the categories. Rh –ve accounted for 3.16% (HIV+), 3.46%(HIV-) and 2.67% (Control) while Rh +ve were 96.84%(HIV+), 96.06% (HIV-) and 97.33%(Control). Thus, the higher than normal prevalence of group O+ in HIV+ pregnant women is indicative of the population size for this group. The very low prevalence of Rh –ve in type A- suggests that incompatibility could be higher than in this population and protective in HIV infection contrary to the previous report in apparently healthy population. The obvious absence of Rh- in AB group suggests that AB may have a higher percentage of protection against immunization. Hence in group B, less incidence of Rh incompatibility and haemolytic disease of the young in the mothers in blood group AB will occur. Key words: Rhesus genes, ABO blood groups, prevalence, Pregnant women, HIV seropositive. Nigerian Journal of Physiological Sciences Vol.19(1&2) 2004: 7-

Effect of garlic on cardiovascular disorders: a review

Garlic and its preparations have been widely recognized as agents for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases, atherosclerosis, hyperlipidemia, thrombosis, hypertension and diabetes. Effectiveness of garlic in cardiovascular diseases was more encouraging in experimental studies, which prompted several clinical trials. Though many clinical trials showed a positive effect of garlic on almost all cardiovascular conditions mentioned above, however a number of negative studies have recently cast doubt on the efficary of garlic specially its cholesterol lowering effect of garlic. It is a great challenge for scientists all over the world to make a proper use of garlic and enjoy its maximum beneficial effect as it is the cheapest way to prevent cardiovascular disease. This review has attempted to make a bridge the gap between experimental and clinical study and to discuss the possible mechanisms of such therapeutic actions of garlic

Beneficial effects of selected antioxdants in experimental diabetes

The antioxidant effects of Vitamins C, E and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (N) on glucose disposal, reduced glutathione (GSH), malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GRT) in the levels of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats was investigated. Glucose tolerance test (GTT) levels of untreated rats (group 1) were relatively elevated in STZ rats compared with rats fed antioxidant, supplemented diets, (Vit. C + E, group 3) and (N+C+E, group 4), although both antioxidant supplemented and untreated rats did not dispose off any appreciable quantity of glucose. A significant level (

Platelet and Prothrombin Activity in Hyertensive Blacks Living in a High Altitude

Platelets usually provide a procoagulant activity for the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin during normal haemostatis. The basis of this activity was evaluated in hypertensive blacks living in a high altitude using a one-stage prothrombin time assay and platelet counts. Blood samples collected from 100 patients at the University of Jos Teaching Hospital were evaluated along with samples from 50 apparently healthy control subjects. Our results show that hypertensives with lower platelet count had prolonged prothrombin times. These were significant at a P-value of 0.05 as compared to normal control subjects. We therefore, conclude that platelet count and prothrombin times in hypertensive blacks are not accentuated to increased procoagulant activity due to a high altitude. Key Words: Platelets, Prothrombin, Hypertension Jnl of Medical Investigation and Practice Vol.2 2001: 54-5

Fluorometric Assessment Of Lysosomal Enzymes In Garlic Oil Treated Diabetic Rats

The effect of Garlic oil on Lysosomal enzymes in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were investigated fluorometrically. The serum lysosomal enzymes assayed include β-glucuronidase, N-acetylglucosaminidase (β-hexosaminidase) (NAG) β-D-galactosidase and α-D-galactosidase. The results of the study in nMole-4Mu/hr/ml show that β-glucuronidase (44.3 ± 0.28), β-hexosaminidase (1615.2±35.2), β-D-galactosidase (20.6±0.70) and α-D-galactosiminidase (10.3±1.00) were significantly elevated in diabetic rats compared to normal rats β-glucuronidase (35.3±0.45), NAG (885.0±44.2), β-D-galactosidase (9.50 ± 0.10) and α-D-galactosidase (4.50±0.60). The treatment of diabetic rats with garlic oil significantly (