Vitamin D Levels and Insulin Resistance among Nigerian Men with Type-2 Diabetes mellitus

Background: A number of studies have shown a high prevalence of insufficient vitamin D levels in humans in the North American, European and Asian regions. Various research works have also shown that low serum vitamin D levels play a major role in the pathogenesis of chronic, non-infective illnesses such as diabetes mellitus and cancer. Objective: This study was aimed at assessing the serum vitamin D status in relation to glucose homeostasis among men with Type-2 Diabetes mellitus and normal controls. Methods: This comparative cross-sectional study included 80 men with confirmed diagnosis of Type-2 diabetes mellitus and 49 normal adult male controls. Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D, fasting serum C-peptide and fasting plasma glucose levels were measured in both study groups. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean serum 25-OH vitamin D levels among the cases (36.55ng/mL) and the controls (42.96ng/mL) (p = 0.001). All the four 25-OH vitamin D-deficient subjects had diabetes. In the diabetes group, 43.8% had a normal insulin resistance compared to 61.8% of the control group (p = 0.054). In the diabetes group, 73.8% had sufficient vitamin D, 21.2% had insufficient vitamin D and 5% had vitamin D deficiency. In the control group, there was a significant negative correlation between serum 25-OH vitamin D and BMI and fasting plasma glucose. The mean HOMA2IR value for the diabetes group (3.09) was higher than the value for the controls (2.40). Conclusion: The mean serum 25-OH vitamin D level in the diabetes group was lower than that of the control group hence, hypovitaminosis D may be a contributor to the onset of diabetes mellitus among Nigerian men

Anti-Mullerian Hormone Levels in Regularly Menstruating Nigerian Women

Background: Studies have shown that serum levels of Anti-Mullerian Hormones (AMH) decrease with age as it is also an early and sensitive marker of ovarian reserve in women in the North American, European and Asian regions. Various research works have also generated data about AMH in the Caucasian, Americans and Asians There was a need to compare these known data with African data. Objectives: To assess the serum levels of AMH in healthy women of reproductive age and determine the relationship between AMH, age, Body Mass Index, parity and menstrual cycle in healthy regularly menstruating women. Methods: A cross-sectional study of 200 apparently healthy women aged 21-45 years was carried out between January and May 2014. Serum AMH and FSH levels were measured in the participants using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Results: The median AMH value was 4.07ng/mL, while the median FSH value was 9.65mIU/mL. The reference 90% CI of AMH was 0.60 -9.71 ng/ml. There was a significant negative correlation between serum level of AMH and age (r = - 0.718, p<0.001). Conclusion: The serum AMH levels gradually declined throughout the reproductive lifespan of a woman

Plasma Micronutrients (magnesium, zinc, selenium) Status and Lipid Profile in Type II Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Sagamu, Southwestern Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of metabolic disorders characterised by hyperglycemia with secondary derangements in micronutrient status. Various studies had given conflicting reports of increased or decreased levels of micronutrients in Type II DM. Objective: To measure the plasma micronutrient levels and lipid profile in adults with Type II DM. Method: Plasma magnesium, zinc and selenium levels were measured among 100 subjects comprising 50 people with DM (age range 36-70 years) and 50 control subjects without DM (age range 29-70 years). The anthropometric parameters were measured; fasting blood glucose, plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, micronutrients (magnesium, zinc and selenium) levels were also measured using standard methods. Result: There were statistically significant (p < 0.05) higher plasma glucose, blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), LDLC, and lower levels of plasma magnesium, zinc, selenium, HDLC levels among the patients with DM (cases) compared with the normal control subjects. No significant difference was observed in the plasma total cholesterol and triglyceride between the two groups. A significant negative correlation was found between the plasma levels of the trace metals (magnesium, zinc and selenium) and triglycerides (r = - 0.36, r = - 0.43, r = - 0.51 respectively). Conclusion: Plasma levels of magnesium, zinc and selenium are reduced in Type II DM with associated hyperglycaemia-driven dyslipidaemia