The Hookworm Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteases (Ac-TMP-1) Modifies Dendritic Cell Function and Induces Generation of CD4 and CD8 Suppressor T Cells

Hookworm infection is a major cause of disease burden for humans. Recent studies have described hookworm-related immunosuppression in endemic populations and animal models. A Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteases (Ac-TMP-1) has been identified as one of the most abundant proteins released by the adult parasite. We investigated the effect of recombinant Ac-TMP-1 on dendritic cell (DC) and T cell function. Splenic T cells from C57BL/6 mice injected with Ac-TMP-1 showed reduced proliferation to restimulation with anti CD3 or bystander antigens such as OVA. Incubation of bone marrow-derived DCs with Ac-TMP-1 decreased MHC Class I and, especially, Class II expression but increased CD86 and IL-10 expression. Co-incubation of splenic T cells with DCs pulsed with Ac-TMP-1 induced their differentiation into CD4+ and, particularly, CD8+ CD25+Foxp3+ T cells that expressed IL-10. These cells were able to suppress proliferation of naïve and activated CD4+ T cells by TGF-Β-dependent (CD4+ suppressors) or independent (CD8+ suppressors) mechanisms. Priming of DCs with non-hookworm antigens, such as OVA, did not result in the generation of suppressor T cells. These data indicate that Ac-TMP-1 initiates the development of a regulatory response through modifications in DC function and generation of suppressor T cells. This is the first report to propose a role of suppressor CD8+ T cells in gastrointestinal helminthic infections

Reliability of a visually read Semi-Quantitative blood glucose monitoring strip among Nigerian diabetics

No Abstract

Plasma insulin response to oral glucose tolerance test in type-2 Nigerian diabetics

Objective: To study the plasma insulin pattern in type 2 diabetic Nigerians both in the fasting state and in response to a standard oral glucose tolerance test. Design: A cross sectional study. Setting: Diabetic clinic, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria Nigeria. Subjects: Forty type 2 diabetic patients and thirty six healthy age and sex matched control subjects was undertaken. Interventions: Eligible patients and control subjects underwent a standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Plasma levels of glucose and insulin levels determined by a glucose oxidase method and ELISA techniques respectively. Student's t-test was used to compare continuous variables, Chi-square test for categorical variable and Pearson's correlation coefficient to define correlation between variables. The level of statistical significance in each case was taken as P < 0.05. Results: Type 2 diabetic patients demonstrated significantly lower fasting plasma insulin levels, when compared to control subjects (4.20 ± 1.78 micro- units/ml vs 5.72 ± 2.16 micro - units/ml respectively

Reliability of a visually read seme-quantitative blood glucose monitoring strip among Nigerian diabetics

No Abstract

Glucose intolerance among apparently healthy Hausa-Fulani Northern Nigerians

Background: Glucose intolerance has been recently reclassified by the World Health Organization (WHO) incorporating a new class known as impaired fasting glycaemia. Previous studies in this environment looked as diabetes mellitus only but not the other forms of glucose intolerance. Objectives: To study the prevalence of glucose intolerance in apparently Nigerian subjects of Hausa-Fulani ethnicity, who had no known family history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension. Method: Standard oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) in 39 healthy individuals. Results: Three (7.7%) of the subjects demonstrated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). There was no case of impaired fasting glycaemia (IFG) noted. All subjects who had IGT were females Conclusions: glucose intolerance appears commoner among females in this study. Factors such as sedentary lifestyles, which are commoner among females in this community, could be the reason for this finding. Key Words: Glucose intolerance, Nigerians Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(1 ) 2004: 32-3

Aflatoxins In Body Fluids And Food Of Nigerian Children With Protein- Energy Malnutrition

Aflatoxins are natural contaminants of food crops implicated in the pathogenesis of various human diseases. This study aimed to determine the associations between aflatoxins and protein- energy malnutrition (PEM) by measurements of aflatoxins in serum, urine and food on plate of Nigerian children with PEM. A cross- sectional study was undertaken in 3 agro- ecological regions of Nigeria (Guinea savannah, Sudan savannah and Rain forest), where aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, M1, and M2 were measured in sera, urine and food on plate of 79 children with PEM (kwashiorkor n=36, marasmic kwashiorkor n=29 and marasmus n=13) and 33 healthy controls, matched for age and sex. Among healthy controls, aflatoxin detection rates were higher in the Guinea Savannah (72.2%) than in the Sudan Savannah (53.8%), albeit statistically insignificant. In relation to nutritional groups, the rates of detection of aflatoxins were higher in marasmic kwashiorkor (93.1%) and kwashiorkor patients (88.9%), compared to marasmus (76.9%) and controls (63.6%, p=0.013). The rates of detection of B1 aflatoxin followed a similar trend viz. marasmic kwashiorkor (82.4%), kwashiorkor (69.4%), marasmus (53.8%) and controls (42.4%, p=0.007). Of all types of aflatoxins detected in serum, M2 had the highest rates of detection in all patient groups and controls. The median concentrations of aflatoxins detected in sera of each PEM group were significantly higher than those of controls, but comparisons between PEM groups were not statistically significant. The frequency and concentration of aflatoxins detected in urine and food of PEM groups and controls were not statistically different. However, controls had the lowest serum /urine aflatoxin ratio as well as lowest median aflatoxins concentrations in their food as compared to PEM patients. In conclusion, aflatoxins are commonly detected in the body fluids and food of Nigerian children, but more frequently and at higher concentrations in children with PEM, possibly due to decreased excretion or increased exposure. Future prospective studies are desirable to determine if aflatoxins contribute to the pathogenesis of all types of PEM and not necessarily kwashiorkor alone

Relationship between casual blood sugar and body mass index in a suburban northern Nigerian population: A short communication

No Abstract. Nigerian Journal of Medicine Vol. 16 (1) 2007: pp. 77-7

Prevalence of tobacco use among youths in five centres in Nigeria: A global youth tobacco survey (GYTS) approach

No Abstract