Antioxidant Vitamins Are Correlated with Different Aspects of Phagocytic Processes in Healthy Nigerians: Benefits As Supplements During Antimicrobial Treatment

Background: Antioxidant vitamins are important for the immune system to function efficiently through several mechanisms. However, according to several previous studies, individual step of leucocyte phagocytosis is not correlated with different antioxidant vitamins. Methods: This study included 50 healthy Nigerians whose cellular phagocytic mechanism such as percentage leucocyte migration (%LM) and intracellular killing (%Nitroblue Tetrazolium Test) were determined by microscopy, neutrophil chemokines [plasma interleukin 8 (IL-8)] was determined using ELISA, and respiratory burst indices [plasma catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and nitric oxide (NO)] were determined by spectrophotometry. While the plasma antioxidant vitamins (Vitamins A, C, and E) were determined using HPLC, the phagocytic indices, chemokines, and respiratory burst indices were correlated with plasma antioxidant vitamins using Spearman’s Correlation analysis at α0.05. Results: The results show that although among the healthy Nigerian adults, vitamin C was significantly and positively correlated with %NBT, it was negatively correlated with CAT activity. Vitamin A showed a significantly positive correlation with SOD while Vitamin E showed a significantly negative correlation with MPO. Conclusions: These findings suggest that antioxidant vitamins affect different stages of phagocytosis. It is advisable to use a combination of antioxidant vitamins as supplements with recommended treatment strategies against intracellular micro-organisms or inflammatory diseases. Keywords: Antioxidants, Intracellular microbial killing, Vitamin

Human Beta Defensin 1 (hbd1) Levels in Sputum and Lysate of Mononuclear Blood Cells of Drug-Sensitive and Drug-Resistant Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tb) that causes pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) occupies the lungs, while human β-defensin-1 (hBD1) is expressed in all human epithelial tissues as one of the products of phagocytic leucocytes, especially at the site of microbial colonisation such as the lungs. The involvement of hBD1 in mycobacterial infection has not been extensively studied, thus there is the need to measure the levels of the hBD1 in mononuclear cell lysates and sputum of PTB patients at diagnosis. Materials and Methods: Ninety participants aged between 15 and 64 years were recruited as follows: 30 newly diagnosed multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) patients and 30 newly diagnosed drug-sensitive TB patients (DS-TB) from MDR-TB Treatment centre and the Medicine Outpatient Clinic at University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Nigeria. Thirty (30) non-TB apparently healthy individuals served as controls. The analytical method employed for the measurement of hBD1 in the sputum and lysate was the Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data were expressed as mean and standard deviation, and the differences between the means were established using Student (t) test. P-value ≤ 0.05 indicated statistical significance. Results: The mean levels of lysate and sputum hBD1 were not significantly different in newly diagnosed DS–TB patients (D0)compared with control(p > 0.05). Whereas, the mean levels of lysate and sputum hBD1 were significantly higher in newly diagnosed MDR–TB patients (M0) compared with newly diagnosed DS–TB patients (D0)or control (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Due to the higher levels of hBD1 in the sputum and lysate of M0 than in D0, one might conclude that there is a relationship between chronicity of PTB and hBD1 level

Innate Cellular Immunity in Newly Diagnosed Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients and During Chemotherapy

Background: Leukocyte migration (LM) and intracellular killing aspects of the innate immune responseplay important roles in protection against and containment and cure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection, and thus may be exploited as immunotherapeutic targets to improve the management and treatment outcomes of patients with tuberculosis (TB). Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess LM and mediators of intracellular killing in patients with TB at the time of diagnosis and during anti-TB chemotherapy and compare them with apparently healthy controls. Methods: We recruited 24 patients who were newly diagnosed with pulmonary TB and 20 apparently healthy individuals. Blood was drawn from patients with TB at the time of diagnosis, and after 2, 4, and 6 months of anti-TB chemotherapy and control. In vitro percentage LM (%LM) upon stimulation with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine, percentage nitroblue tetrazolium (%NBT) reduction, plasma concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), and nitric oxide(NO) were assessed in both groups. Findings: Percentage NBT was significantly reduced in patients with TB at 2 months of anti-TB chemotherapy compared with patients at diagnosis and in healthy controls, whereas %LM was significantly increased in patients at 4 months of anti-TB chemotherapy compared with patients at diagnosis and controls. Mean plasma H2O2 and NO were significantly reduced in patients at diagnosis and throughout the period of anti-TB chemotherapy compared with the control group. Significant decreases were demonstrated in mean plasma H2O2 and NO in patients at 2 and 4 months of anti-TB chemotherapy, respectively, compared with patients at diagnosis. There was significant positive correlation between %NBT with plasma H2O2 and NO, but %LM was negatively correlated with plasma H2O2 in this group. Conclusion: The intracellular killing aspect of innate cellular immunity is deficient in patients with TB, especially 2 to 4 months after commencement of treatment. Therefore, measures (eg, arginine supplementation) to improve intracellular killing in these patients is advocated. Moreover, %LM assay with Bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine as an antigen may be used to differentiate those newly diagnosed patients from those on anti-TB chemotherapy

Thyroid function in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection before commencement of MDR-TB drug regimen.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are known to cause abnormal thyroid function. There is little information on whether HIV infection aggravates alteration of thyroid function in patients with MDRTB. Objectives: This study was carried out to determine if HIV co-infection alters serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients with MDR-TB patients and to find out the frequency of subclinical thyroid dysfunction before the commencement of MDR-TB therapy. Methods: This observational and cross-sectional study involved all the newly admitted patients in MDR-TB Referral Centre, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria between July 2010 and December 2014. Serum levels of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4) and free triiodothyronine (fT3) were determined using ELISA. Results: Enrolled were 115 patients with MDR-TB, out of which 22 (19.13%) had MDR-TB/HIV co-infection. Sick euthyroid syndrome (SES), subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism were observed in 5 (4.35%), 9 (7.83%) and 2 (1.74%) patients respectively. The median level of TSH was insignificantly higher while the median levels of T3 and T4 were insignificantly lower in patients with MDR-TB/HIV co-infection compared with patients with MDRT-TB only. Conclusion: It could be concluded from this study that patients with MDR-TB/HIV co-infection have a similar thyroid function as patients having MDR-TB without HIV infection before commencement of MDR-TB drug regimen. Also, there is a possibility of subclinical thyroid dysfunction in patients with MDR-TB/HIV co-infection even, before the commencement of MDR-TB therapy

Serum Micronutrients in Helminth-infected Pregnant Women and Children: Suggestions for Differential Supplementation During Anti-helminthic Treatment

Background: The prevalence of helminth infection, which is known to affect nutritional status of the host, varies with age. The complex interplay between ages, nutrient requirements, and infection necessitated the need to recommend micronutrient supplementation during helminth infection among different age groups. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of alteration in selected micronutrients in pregnant women and preschool- and school-aged children with helminth infection. Methods: We screened 245 pregnant women and 349 children for helminth infection. Of these, 17 (6.9%) pregnant women and 102 (29.2%) children (42 preschool- and 60 school-aged) had helminth infection. Only 'Ascaris lumbricoides' was found in pregnant women, whereas the children had 'A lumbricoides', hookworm, 'Fasciola hepatica', and 'Trichuris' trichiura infections. The helminth-infected (HI) pregnant women, preschool-aged children, and school-aged children were matched with helminth-negative (HN) pregnant women (n = 21), preschool-aged children (n = 42), and school-aged children (n = 50) who served as controls. Venous blood samples were obtained and analyzed for iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), and vitamins A and C. Statistical analysis was done using Student’s 't' test, and 'P' vitamin A were significantly lower in the HI than in the HN group. Similarly, serum levels of Zn and vitamin A were significantly lower in HI school-aged children than in the HN group. However, serum levels of Se were significantly higher in HI children (both age groups) than in the corresponding HN group. Conclusion: Helminth infection alters different types of micronutrients in children and pregnant women. Results from the present study therefore suggest monitoring Fe, Zn, or vitamin A supplementation with an anti-helminthic regimen

Serum Levels of Cytokines and IgE in Helminth-Infected Nigerian Pregnant Women and Children

Background: Helminth infection is an important health challenge. Because of modulation of the immune response toward T-helper 2 (Th2) cells, the immunologic interplay that manifest during the coexistence of helminth infection with other conditions is still poorly understood. Objective: This study determined the pattern of alteration in selected cytokines and immunoglobulin E(IgE) in pregnant women, preschool aged children, and school-aged children with helminth infection compared with uninfected groups. Methods: Seventeen pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 60 school-aged children with helminth infection (HI) were recruited into this study. They were matched with 21 pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 50 school-aged children without helminth infection (HN) who served as controls. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant and analyzed for serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IgE. Statistical analysis was done using the Student 't' test, and 'P' < .05 was considered as statistically significant. Findings: Only serum level of IgE was significantly elevated in HI pregnant women compared with HN pregnant women. In HI preschool- and school-aged children, serum levels of IL-8, IL-6, and IgE were significantly elevated compared with HN children. However, preschool- and school-aged children with HI had similar levels of serum TNF-α and IL-10 compared with their corresponding HN groups. Conclusions: It could be concluded that altered cytokines expression in children and pregnant women with helminth infection might have some implications on need for deworming programs to improve pregnancy outcomes and vaccine responses

Serum levels of anti-corona virus specific-IgG and -IgM antibodies in COVID-19 patients at admission and at discharge

Introduction. Clear understanding of duration of antibody based protective immunity following natural infection with SARSCoV-2 will give idea about the efficacy of proposed prophylactic vaccines against SARS-CoV-2, establishment of herd immunity and use of convalescent plasma. Aim. This study clarified the kinetics and magnitude of the initial antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of symptomatic COVID-19 patients from Ibadan, Nigeria. Material and methods. This study quantified immunoglobulin M (IgM) and G (IgG) antibodies recognizing the SARS-CoV-2 Spike (S) protein in 35 symptomatic COVID-19 patients at admission and at discharge using ELISA. Results. CovIgG was positive in none (0)% and 20% of COVID-19 patients at admission and at discharge respectively while CovIgM was positive in 54% and 69% of COVID-19 patients at admission and at discharged respectively. The level of CovIgG was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients at discharge compared with the level at admission while the level of CovIgM was insignificantly reduced in COVID-19 patients at discharge compared with the level at admission. Conclusion. The data indicates increased anti-SARS-COV-2 IgG Spike antibody in symptomatic COVID-19 at discharge, thus providing basis for antibody-based therapies to treat COVID-19 patient

The Serum Levels of Trace Metals in Nigerian Males with Different PSA Values

Prostate cancer (PCa), the primary disease of men over 50 years of age is on the increase worldwide. Most PCa grows slowly from overt clinical disease to the stage that lead to death. The gradual course of PCA development provides opportunity for intervention. Supplement of diet taken by PCa patients may be an effective intervention because certain micronutrients had been implicated in cancer prevention. The present study is designed to determine the levels of trace metals in 80 Nigeria males having different concentrations of serum prostate surface antigen (PSA) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The serum levels of PSA were measured with Beckman Coulter Access Immunoassay automated machine. Subjects with PSA values 5–10ng/ml had significantly high serum levels of Zn, Fe, Cd and Mn but significantly low level of Se compared with the controls (PSA 0–4ng/ml). Subjects with PSA >10ng/ml had significantly low levels of Mn, Mg and Se compared with the controls. Subjects with PSA values 5–10ng/ml had significantly reduced level of Se compared with subjects with PSA >10ng/ml. Only Se was low in all subjects with PSA >4ng/ml, therefore there is a possibility that Se intake may reduce the risk and progression of PCA

Salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian cigarette smokers: Indication for increased risk of oral diseases

Background: Cigarette smoking is a worldwide social epidemic and it is one of the main causes of preventable death and disability. Gingivitis, periodontitis, pocket depth, attachment loss, alveolar bone loss, and tooth loss are some of oral pathologies commonly found in cigarette smokers. The aim of this study was to explore, for the first time among Nigerians, the interplay between components of cigarette smoke and salivary levels of immunoglobulin classes so as to provide oral immunological based reasons for oral diseases in cigarette smokers. Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, 5 mL of unstimulated saliva was collected in plain sample bottles from 24 active smokers who smoke at least 6 sticks of cigarette per day and 21 sex and age-matched non-smokers who were apparently healthy. The samples were spun and supernatant stored at -20°C until assayed. The immunoglobulin levels of the samples were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Student′s t-test (unpaired) was used to determine significant differences between the two groups. P values less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: No significant differences were observed in the mean salivary levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE. Only IgM was significantly lower in smokers compared with non-smokers (P = 0.038). The proportion of smokers with detectable level of salivary IgE was lower compared with controls. Conclusion: Our study showed that there is decreased salivary IgM in smokers. This observation suggests that reduced salivary immunoglobulin level of IgM might be involved in the pathogenesis of oral diseases in cigarette smokers

Household Air Pollution, Levels of Micronutrients and Heavy Metals in Cord and Maternal Blood, and Pregnancy Outcomes

Cooking with kerosene emits toxic pollutants that may impact pregnancy outcomes. Sixty-eight women in their first trimester of pregnancy, kerosene users (n = 42) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) users (n = 26), were followed until birth. Maternal and cord blood were collected immediately after birth. Levels of micronutrients and heavy metals were quantified. Pregnancy outcomes (gestation age (GA), birth weight (BW), and chest and head circumference) were also measured. Mean (&#177; standard deviation (SD)) age of mothers in kerosene and LNG groups were similar (p = 0.734). Mean (&#177;SD) BW of newborns of LNG users was significantly higher compared to newborns of kerosene users (3.43 &#177; 0.32 vs. 3.02 &#177; 0.43, p &lt; 0.001). Mean GA (in weeks) was similar between the two groups (p = 0.532). Women in the kerosene group had significantly higher cord blood levels of zinc, lead, mercury, iodine and vitamin B6 and lower levels of folic acid compared to LNG users (p &lt; 0.05). Newborns of kerosene users had reduced levels of zinc, lead, mercury, iodine, vitamins B6 and B12, folic acid, and homocysteine compared with LNG users (p &lt; 0.05). Also, cooking with kerosene was significantly associated with reduced birth weight after adjusting for potential confounders (&#946; &#177; standard error (SE) = &#8722;0.326 &#177; 0.155; p = 0.040). Smoke from kerosene stove was associated with reduced birth weight and micronutrients imbalance in mothers and newborns