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

Knowledge, perception and willingness to receive the current COVID-19 vaccine among residents of Awka metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria

Background: Vaccines can effectively reduce most morbidities and mortalities caused by infectious agents. The emergence of the COVID-19 vaccine may be accompanied with huge success in containing the pandemic. The aim of the study was to assesses knowledge, perception and willingness to receive the current COVID-19 vaccine among residents in Awka metropolis, Anambra State, Nigeria.Methods: Using a pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, this study was conducted in Awka metropolis Anambra State, Nigeria among 393 respondents (aged 18 years and above), and analyzed to assess their knowledge, perception and willingness to receive the current COVID-19 vaccine. Statistical package for social sciences software (SPSS) version 23.0 was used, descriptive statistics were reported in frequencies and percentages, Chi-square test was used to assess the association between socio-demographic characteristics and willingness to receive the vaccine, and level of significance was set at p<0.05.Results: The results showed that all respondents (100%) have good knowledge of the vaccine availability. Only 25.7% were willing to receive the vaccine, although 57.3% were willing to receive any other vaccine apart from the COVID-19 vaccine. Very few respondents (18.3%) thinks the vaccine is accessible to all. Most of the respondents (72%) did not support mandatory implementation of COVID-19 vaccine in Nigeria. Among the socio-demographic characteristics, only occupation was significantly associated with willingness to receive the vaccine (p=0.010, χ2=20.214).  Conclusions: This study highlighted the need to effectively educate the masses through appropriate public health literacy programs and enlightenment campaigns on the role of the vaccine in curbing this pandemic

Effect of coffee consumption on liver enzymes (alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and alkaline phosphatase), total and conjugated bilirubin levels among students in Nnewi

Background: Coffee has a number of bioactive compounds that have beneficial effects on human health in general and more importantly is the fact that coffee consumption has positive impact on the liver function. The present study investigated the effect of coffee consumption on liver enzymes: alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total bilirubin (TB) and conjugated bilirubin (CB) levels among student in Nnewi.Methods: A total of twenty-five (25) apparently healthy participants aged between 18 and 30 years which were randomly recruited from College of Health Sciences’ students to serve as both test and control group. Each participant was advised to abstain from coffee and similar beverages for a period of three weeks prior to the commencement of the study. Subsequently, in addition to their normal diet, each of the subjects was given 2 gm of coffee dissolved in 150 ml of hot water in which 50 mg of non-dairy creamer was added before breakfast daily for 28 consecutive days. 6 ml each of baseline and test samples (after an overnight fast) were collected at day 0 and 29 respectively from each participant. Liver enzymes such as ALT, AST, and ALP activity as well as TB and CB levels was determined using standard laboratory methods.Results: This showed significant reductions in the mean serum AST and ALT activity, TB and unconjugated bilirubin (UB) levels with no significant alterations in the mean ALP activity and CB level in participants studied after short-term coffee consumption.Conclusions: This study revealed the hepatoprotective effect of coffee intake at short term basis