Metabolic syndrome in urban city of North-Western Nigeria: prevalence and determinants

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Sokoto metropolis of North-Western Nigeria.Methods: A cross-sectional community based study was carried out. Four hundred and ten subjects (201 males and 209 females) were recruited for the study using a multi-stage sampling technique. Demographic and the life style data was obtained from the participants. Evaluation of anthropometric variables, fasting blood sugar, lipid profiles, insulin resistance and blood pressure was performed. The classification of metabolic syndrome was based on the NCEP ATP III guidelines.Results: The mean (SD) age of the sample population was 39.6 (14.4) years. The mean (SD) age of the male subjects was 38.4(14.9) years and that of the females was 40.8(13.9) years (p> 0.05). The overall prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 35.1% with the females having 42.83% and the males 27.36%. The frequencies of metabolic syndrome parameters in the study subjects were low HDL (56.1%),  hypertension (46.1%), dysglycemia (32.7%), central obesity (28%), and elevated triglycerides (22.4%). Most of the women had low HDL (62.2%) and central obesity elevated (49.8%). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is common in residents of North- Western Nigeria, commoner in the females than males. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome should be detected in normal individuals for implementing effective preventive measures.Key words: Metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, obesit

Biochemical and histological changes in the heart of post-partum rats exposed to Natron

Background: The customary puerperal practice of Natron consumption has been identified as one of the predisposing factors in the etiology of peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM). This study was designed to investigate the effect of Natron in postpartum Wistar albino rats. Methods: A total of 30 postpartum Wistar rats were exposed to different doses (50 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg and 300 mg/kg) of Natron for 28 days. After the treatment, we carried out biochemical analyses and histological evaluations of kidney, liver and heart. Results: The study revealed that the exposure of postpartum rats to 100 mg/kg of Natron and above significantly (p < 0.05) increase the cardiac markers; myoglobin, creatine kinase-MB, troponin I and T as compared with control. The result of liver function indicated no significant difference in alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, albumin and total protein of the Natron treated groups as compared with control. However, at higher doses, the levels of total protein, globulin and alkaline phosphatase activity were significantly increased in comparison to the control. There was no significant difference in the kidney function markers of the treatment groups as compared with control. Histological examinations revealed no changes in the kidney of the treated groups. Mild portal triaditis was observed in the liver of the treated rats. The heart of the rats administered ≥100 mg/kg of Natron showed myocyte hypertrophy. Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the administration of Natron for 28 days caused changes in the heart of postpartum rats and thus may contribute to the pathogenesis of PPCM. Keywords: Peripartum cardiomyopathy, Natron, Myocyte hypertrophy, Postpartum, Wistar ra