Plasma lipid profile, atherogenic and coronary risk indices in some residents of Abeokuta in south-western Nigeria

The incidence of chronic degenerative diseases like stroke and myocardial infarction in African subpopulations is reported to be increasing. In view of the association between dyslipidemia and these chronic degenerative diseases, we investigated some well-establishedcardiovascular risk factors (plasma cholesterol and its fractions as high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), triglyceride, adiposity and blood pressure) in 92 subjects (43 males and 49 females) in Abeokuta, Nigeria. LDL cholesterol was significantlyhigher in the women compared with men (128.58mg/dl vs 108.73mg/dl; p = 0.028). Total cholesterol, although slightly higher in women, was not significantly different from that of men (155.71mg/dl vs 147.26mg/dl). HDL cholesterol and triglyceride were not significantlydifferent between the two sexes, although women tended to have lower HDL cholesterol when compared with men. LDL/HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol were significantly higher in women compared with men (4.20 vs 2.97; p = 0.004; 5.03 vs 4.06; p =0.024, respectively). Systolic blood pressure was higher in men compared with women (117.58 vs 104.84; p = 0.002). Results indicate that the association between cholesterol and chronic degenerative diseases is continuous with no single cholesterol level separating thosewho are at high risk from those who are not. Rather in defining cardiovascular risks in African populations, the ratios LDL/HDL cholesterol and total cholesterol/HDL cholesterol should be considered. It might be appropriate at this time in Nigeria to consider physicalactivity and pharmacological interventions in lowering blood lipids

AN EVALUATION OF SORGHUM BICOLOR (Linn.) MOENCH LEAF SHEATH EXTRACT IN HIGH FAT DIET-INDUCED OBESE RATS

Obesity, resulting from energy imbalance caused by an increased ratio of caloric intake to energy expenditure is a global health problem. This study investigated the effects of Sorghum bicolor leaf extracts (SBE) on blood lipid levels in high fat diet-induced obese rats. Sorghum bicolor leaf was extracted with 70% ethanol using Soxhlet extractor. Male Wistar rats (n=36) divided into six groups: (A) normal control, (B) obese control (High Fat Diet – HFD), (C) HFD+150 mg/kg body weight SBE (first treatment), (D) HFD+300 mg/kg body weight SBE (second treatment), (E) HFD+600 mg/kg body weight SBE (third treatment) and (F) HFD+ 1200 mg/kg body weight SBE (fourth treatment) were used. The SBE was administered orally to the animals daily for 28 days. Body weight was taken weekly and Lee index was calculated alongside. Plasma, erythrocytes and lipoproteins' lipid profiles were determined using spectrophotometric methods. Results from the study revealed that generally, SBE significantly reduced (p<0.05) the levels of cholesterol, phospholipids, triacylglycerol by varying levels, in the various blood compartments of the obese animals. It was observed that SBE caused a significant (p<0.05) decrease in plasma cholesterol level of the fourth treatment group. Also, SBE significantly (p<0.05) reduced the elevated atherogenic and coronary risk indices by 50%. This study suggests that SBE might be useful in the management of obesity and its co-morbid conditions