Effect of Oral Vitamin E on Serum Lipid Profile of Apparently Healthy Nigerians in Benin City

Purpose: To investigate the effect of oral vitamin E on serum lipid profile of Apparently Healthy Nigerians in Benin CityMethods: Fifty eight apparently healthy non-smoking males aged 30 - 59 years were randomly selected from Benin metropolis and were divided in three groups. The effect of oral vitamin E (a potent antioxidant) supplementation in various dosages 100 mg/day,200 mg/day and 400 mg/day for 21 days on Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, High Density Lipoprotein, Low Density Lipoprotein and Very low Density Lipoprotein was examined.Results: The serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoprotein and very low density lipoprotein of the subjects showed a decrease which was not statistically significant (p > 0.05) after treatment with various doses of oral vitamin E.Conclusion: The effect of oral vitamin E on blood lipids is not significant when administered alone to healthy male subjects. This may be due to the function of α- tocopherol (vitamin E) as a pro-oxidant in the formation of lipid radical via α- tocopherol mediated pathway.Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Pro-oxidant, Vitamin E, Antioxidants, Lipid profile, Dyslipidaemi

ReishiMax, mushroom based dietary supplement, inhibits adipocyte differentiation, stimulates glucose uptake and activates AMPK

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Obesity is a health hazard which is closely associated with various complications including insulin resistance, hypertension, dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis, type 2 diabetes and cancer. In spite of numerous preclinical and clinical interventions, the prevalence of obesity and its related disorders are on the rise demanding an urgent need for exploring novel therapeutic agents that can regulate adipogenesis. In the present study, we evaluated whether a dietary supplement ReishiMax (RM), containing triterpenes and polysaccharides extracted from medicinal mushroom <it>Ganoderma lucidum</it>, affects adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were differentiated into adipocytes and treated with RM (0-300 μg/ml). Adipocyte differentiation/lipid uptake was evaluated by oil red O staining and triglyceride and glycerol concentrations were determined. Gene expression was evaluated by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Glucose uptake was determined with [³H]-glucose.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>RM inhibited adipocyte differentiation through the suppresion of expression of adipogenic transcription factors peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ), sterol regulatory element binding element protein-1c (SREBP-1c) and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein-α (C/EBP-α). RM also suppressed expression of enzymes and proteins responsible for lipid synthesis, transport and storage: fatty acid synthase (FAS), acyl-CoA synthetase-1 (ACS1), fatty acid binding protein-4 (FABP4), fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP1) and perilipin. RM induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and increased glucose uptake by adipocytes.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our study suggests that RM can control adipocyte differentiation and glucose uptake. The health benefits of ReishiMax warrant further clinical studies.</p

Salt intake in first degree relations of hypertensive and normotensive Nigerians

Objective: To determine the salt taste threshold (STT) and salt threshold (STT) and salt intake(SI) in first degree relations of hypertensive and normotensive Nigerians. Hence to determine the relevance of STT in the genesis of hypertension in the Nigerian Africans. The relevance of salt to the development of systemic hypertension continues to attract researchers. Design: A comparative study of STT and salt intake in the first degree offspring of hypertensive and normotensive Nigerians. Setting: University of Benin Teaching Hospital in Benin City, Edo state of Nigeria. Subjects: Fifty three normotensives youths (31 males and 22 females) whose parents were undergoing treatment at the university of Benin Teaching Hospital and 42 age and sex matched normotensive youths (22 males and 16 females) of normotensive parents from similar socio-economic background were recruited for the study. Methods: Salt intake was determined with Corning clinical flame photometer using 24 hour urine sample produced by each participants. STT was determined by a double blind method which employed the forced stimulus drop technique. Results: STT and UNa+ were significantly higher in OH than in ON (

Disease evolution and outcomes in familial AML with germline CEBPA mutations

To date, in-depth molecular investigation of familial leukemia has been limited by the rarity of recognized cases. This study comprehensively examines the genetic events initiating leukemia and details the clinical progression of disease across multiple families harboring germline CEBPA mutations. Clinical data were collected from 10 CEBPA-mutated families, representing 24 members with AML. Whole-exome (WES) and deep sequencing were performed to genetically profile tumors and define patterns of clonal evolution. Germline CEBPA mutations clustered within the N-terminal and were highly penetrant, with AML presenting at a median age of 24.5yrs (1.75-46yrs). In all diagnostic tumors tested (n=18), double CEBPA mutations (CEBPAdm) were detected, with acquired (somatic) mutations preferentially targeting the C-terminal. Somatic CEBPA mutations were found to be unstable throughout the disease course, with different mutations identified at disease recurrence. Deep sequencing of diagnostic and relapse paired samples confirmed that relapse-associated CEBPA mutations were absent at diagnosis, suggesting recurrence was triggered by novel, independent clones. Integrated WES and deep sequencing subsequently revealed an entirely new complement of mutations at relapse, verifying the presentation of a de novo leukemic episode. The cumulative incidence of relapse in familial AML was 56% at 10yrs (n=11) and 3 patients experienced ≥3 disease episodes over a period of 17-20yrs. Durable responses to secondary therapies were observed, with prolonged median survival post relapse (8yrs) and long term overall survival (10yr OS, 67%). Our data reveal that familial CEBPA-mutated AML exhibits a unique model of disease progression, associated with favorable long term outcomes