Impact of Maternal Helicobacter pylori Infection on Trace Elements (Copper, Iron and Zinc) and Pregnancy Outcomes

Background: H. pylori infection has been suggested to interfere with micronutrient metabolism and influence pregnancy outcomes. Objectives: This study therefore seeks to document the prevalence of H. pylori seroposivity among pregnant women and to determine its impact on some trace element status and pregnancy outcomes. Materials and methods: Three hundred and forty nine consenting pregnant women aged 15-40 years (mean; 27. 04 ± 4. 75 years) and gestational age ≤ 25 weeks (mean 21.77 ± 3.14 wks) attending antenatal clinic at Federal Medical Centre, Abakaliki, between July 2007 and September 2008 participated in the study. H. Pylori antibody (IgG) was determined by a new generation ELISA method. Plasma copper, iron and zinc were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer (Bulk Scientific AVG 210 Model) while haemoglobin and albumin were analysed using standard haematological and biochemical techniques. Both maternal sociodemographic and anthropometric parameters were recorded at recruitment. The women were followed-up till delivery after which neonatal anthropometrics and other birth outcomes were recorded. Results: H. pylori seroprevalence of 24.1% (84/349) was recorded with higher prevalence in multiparous and older women. H. pylori infected women had significantly higher BMI (29.00 ± 3.89 vs. 26.86 ± 4.10, p = 0.020) and lower (p > 0.05) plasma levels of Cu, Fe, Zn, albumin, and haemoglobin when compared to non-infected women. Also H. pylori infected women had significantly (p < 0.05) higher rates of convulsion and concomitant illnesses than their non-infected counterparts, although there was no difference in the two groups for other pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: H. pylori infection during pregnancy seems to interfere with trace element metabolism and contribute significantly to increased maternal morbidity. Prior to confirmation of these findings in a well controlled randomised trial, it is suggested that pregnant women be screened for H. pylori infection to reduce H. pylori associated morbidities during pregnancy

Effect of GarriI processing effluents [waste water] on the cyanide level of some root tubers commonly consumed in the South East of Nigeria

Root tubers are the important staple food crops in the tropics, Nigeria inclusive. In the South East of Nigeria, the major staple root tuber crops include Dioscorea rotundata, (White yam) Dioscorea alata, (Water yam) Xanthosoma sagittifolium, (Red Cocoyam) Colocasia esculenta, (White Cocoyam) Ipomea batatas (Sweet potato) and Dioscorea dumetorum (Domestic yam). Due to inadequacies in supply, these tubers are always in high demand by consumers. To make up for the high demand, peasant farmers cultivate these tubers in any available space around homes. Around most homes in the villages are garri (cassava flour) processing factories, with the effluents (waste water) allowed to flow into adjoining farmlands without any form of treatment. It has been reported that cassava tubers and their effluents contain high concentrations of cyanide, thus the cyanide in the effluent may be adsorbed by the soil onto which it is disposed. Plants that are grown on soil of low potassium content and high nitrogen content have been reported to have high hydrocyanic acid concentration in their tubers. Numerous studies have described environmental exposure of humans to cyanide in African populations. Little is known about exposure to cyanide toxins from processed or unprocessed root tubers commonly consumed in Africa; and data on the food concentration of cyanide which is a potential poison and systemic toxicant is scanty. This study determined the concentrations of cyanide in some root tubers grown in a cassava processing plant effluent [waste water] contaminated farm land and commonly consumed in South East of Nigeria. Dioscorea rotundata had 10.13&#177;1.9mgHCN/kg, while Dioscorea alata had 9.12&#177;0.93mgHCN/kg. Xanthosoma sagittifolium and Colocasia esculenta were found to have values of 15.19&#177;1.69mgHCN/kg and 11.81&#177;1.19mgHCN/kg, respectively. Ipomea batatas [red cultivar] had cyanide level of 8.44&#177;1.20 mgHCN/kg, while the white cultivar had 8.44&#177;1.20mgHCN/kg. Dioscorea dumetorum [domestic] showed cyanide level of 35.44&#177;1.69mgHCN/kg. These values are significantly [p&lt;0.05] higher compared to values from the control site for the same cultivars, 9.65&#177;1.36mgHCN/kg, 8.45&#177;1.60mgHCN/kg, 14.77&#177;1.33mgHCN/kg and 10.89&#177;1.55 mgHCN/kg, respectively while I. batatas and D. dumetorum had 7.26&#177;1.34mgHCN/kg, 32.76&#177;0.05mgHCN/kg, respectively. The difference in cyanide content between cultivars from the assumed contaminated site and control site could be as a result of environmental factors, like temperature, humidity, altitude and possibly the cassava effluent [waste water]. This preliminary study highlights the need to study the toxicological implications of chronic low&#8211;level exposure to cyanide from African root tubers as a result of poor waste disposal methods. Keywords: Tubers, cyanide, toxicity, soil, contaminationAfrican Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, Volume 12 No.

Soil bacterial flora and enzymatic activities in zinc and lead contaminated soil

Soil bacterial flora and enzymatic activities in lead and zinc contaminated soil of Ishiagu, Nigeria were investigated. The physicochemical properties measured showed that the miningpit had acidic pH (5.6) which gradually increased till 7.5 in the control. Organic matter was only 2.57mg/g in the pit but gradually reached 7.41mg/g in control. Pb concentration was higher at pit 360.52mg/g, 305.46mg/g at 5m away and lowest at control 36.16mg/g. Zn was217.47mg/g at the pit, 176.32mg/g at 5m, 106.18mg/g at 10m and only 40.67mg/g at control. This showed a gradual fall away from the pit. Major organisms at the pit were Pseudomonas and Bacillus species (30% each) and Mocrococcus and Chromobacter species (20% each) E. coli, Salmonella and Lactobacillus species, which occurred in the control soil, were absent in the pit soil but occurred at various rates in other soil samples. Bacterial prevalence, diversity, and bioload were all high in the control, followed by 100m away while values decreasedsignificantly towards the pit. Soil enzymatic activities correlated negatively with heavy metal concentration. This showed that the higher the heavy metal concentration the lower the enzymatic activities. Urease, dehydrogenase activity, hydrogen peroxidase and polyphenoloxidase were adversely affected but alkaline phosphatase did not show any significant effect

Physicochemical Properties and Enzymes Activity Studies in a Refined Oil Contaminated Soil in Isiukwuato, Abia State, Nigeria

Soil Physicochemical properties and enzyme concentration were evaluated in soil from a refined-oil contaminated community in Isiukwuato, Abia State three years after the spill. The soil enzymes examined were urease, lipase, oxidase, alkaline and acid phosphatases. Results show a significant (P< 0.05) decrease in the activities of these enzymes in the contaminatedsoil relative to the control. Soil temperature, Organic Carbon(OC), Organic Matter (OM), Exchangeable Acidity (EA), Saturation Base (SB) and Effective Cation Exchangeable Capacity (ECEC) were significantly higher (

Seasonal impact on phyto-accumulation potentials of selected edible vegetables grown in Ishiagu quarry mining effluent discharge soils

Seasonal impact on soil trace metals and phytoaccumulation potentials of Cucurbita pepo, Cucumis sativus and Taliferia occidentalis grown in Ishiagu quarry mining effluent discharge soils were investigated. Soil samples were collected 200 m (sample C), 100 m (sample B) away from discharge point (sample A) in wet and dry seasons. Trace metals were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results reveal a significant decrease in levels of trace metals distance away from discharge points in the order A&gt;B&gt;C. Findings from the study show significant increase in level of soil trace metals in dry season compared to wet season. Phyto-accumulation potentials of the vegetables showed significant increase in level of trace metals in roots and shoots in dry season compared to wet season. Level of these metals were significantly higher compared to control. This is indicative of the potential risk associated with consumption of vegetables grown in these sites especially in dry seasons. The rural dwellers should be discouraged from planting edible vegetables around Ishiagu quarry mining effluent discharge soils in order to reduce excessive build-up of these metals in the human food chain.Keywords: Phyto-accumulation, trace metals, quarry mining, discharge soils, seasonal impac

Effects of ethanolic extracts of Allium sativum Linn Liliaceae (garlic) on serum choleterol and blood sugar levels of albino rabbits

Administration of the ethanolic extracts of Allium sativum linn (liliaceae) lowered the cholesterol and blood sugar levels of the albino rabbits. The animals treated with higher concentration of the extracts recorded more reduction in cholesterol (115±19.2mg/dL), and blood sugar levels (31.4±31.1mg/dL), with significant reduction in their body weight (

Maternal BMI during Pregnancy: Effect on trace elements Status and Pregnancy Outcomes

Purpose: To investigate the effects of maternal prenatal body mass index (BMI) on trace elements (copper, iron and zinc) status, haematological parameters and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in Abakaliki, south-eastern Nigeria. Methods: Plasma levels of copper, iron and zinc of 349 pregnant women (gestational age &le;25 weeks; mean = 21.77&plusmn;3.14 wks; aged = 15-45 years, mean = 27.04&plusmn;4.75 yr) were analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer while haematological and biochemical parameters were determined using standard laboratory techniques. Results: Four women (1.1%) were underweight, 40.7% had normal BMI, 35.5% were overweight, 17.2% were obese and 5.4% were morbidly obese. Maternal BMI was significantly positively related to age, parity and socioeconomic status. While a negative relationship was found between plasma copper and maternal BMI, significantly (p &lt; 0.05) lower zinc levels were found in underweight and obese women when compared to women with normal BMI. Maternal anaemia was significantly lower in overweight/obese women. Also maternal BMI was related to one adverse pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion: Both high and low prenatal BMI are associated with alterations in trace element status, haemoglobin concentrations and adverse pregnancy outcomes. In the face of concurrent deficiencies of micronutrient in this population, as in most developing countries, it appears that maintenance of appropriate weight and food diversification/fortification during pregnancy would be alternative ways of mitigating the consequences associated abnormal prenatal weight.Keywords: Prenatal weight, Plasma Copper, Iron and zinc, Anaemia, Maternal morbidities, Foetal outcome

Effect Of Garri Processing Effluents [Waste Water] On The Cyanide Level Of Some Root Tubers Commonly Consumed In The South East Of Nigeria

Root tubers are the important staple food crops in the tropics, Nigeria inclusive. In the South East of Nigeria, the major staple root tuber crops include Dioscorea rotundata , (White yam) Dioscorea alata , (Water yam) Xanthosoma sagittifolium , (Red Cocoyam) Colocasia esculenta , (White Cocoyam) Ipomea batatas (Sweet potato) and Dioscorea dumetorum (Domestic yam). Due to inadequacies in supply, these tubers are always in high demand by consumers. To make up for the high demand, peasant farmers cultivate these tubers in any available space around homes. Around most homes in the villages are garri (cassava flour) processing factories, with the effluents (waste water) allowed to flow into adjoining farmlands without any form of treatment. It has been reported that cassava tubers and their effluents contain high concentrations of cyanide, thus the cyanide in the effluent may be adsorbed by the soil onto which it is disposed. Plants that are grown on soil of low potassium content and high nitrogen content have been reported to have high hydrocyanic acid concentration in their tubers. Numerous studies have described environmental exposure of humans to cyanide in African populations. Little is known about exposure to cyanide toxins from processed or unprocessed root tubers commonly consumed in Africa; and data on the food concentration of cyanide which is a potential poison and systemic toxicant is scanty. This study determined the concentrations of cyanide in some root tubers grown in a cassava processing plant effluent [waste water] contaminated farm land and commonly consumed in South East of Nigeria. Dioscorea rotundata had 10.13±1.9mgHCN/kg, while Dioscorea alata had 9.12±0.93mgHCN/kg. Xanthosoma sagittifolium and Colocasia esculenta were found to have values of 15.19±1.69mgHCN/kg and 11.81±1.19mgHCN/kg, respectively. Ipomea batatas [red cultivar] had cyanide level of 8.44±1.20 mgHCN/kg, while the white cultivar had 8.44±1.20mgHCN/kg. Dioscorea dumetorum [domestic] showed cyanide level of 35.44±1.69mgHCN/kg. These values are significantly [p<0.05] higher compared to values from the control site for the same cultivars, 9.65±1.36mgHCN/kg, 8.45±1.60mgHCN/kg, 14.77±1.33mgHCN/kg and 10.89±1.55 mgHCN/kg, respectively while I. batatas and D. dumetorum had 7.26±1.34mgHCN/kg, 32.76±0.05mgHCN/kg, respectively. The difference in cyanide content between cultivars from the assumed contaminated site and control site could be as a result of environmental factors, like temperature, humidity, altitude and possibly the cassava effluent [waste water]. This preliminary study highlights the need to study the toxicological implications of chronic low−level exposure to cyanide from African root tubers as a result of poor waste disposal methods

Comparison of Vitreous Protein Profiles of Rabbits subjected to Acute Carbon Monoxide poisoning and normal animal after death

Acute carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning is caused by the inhalation of large quantity of CO within short time leading to morbidity and mortality. In this study, a total of eighteen (18) rabbits were divided into three (3) groups of six (6) animals each. The first group first group was poisoned with CO and labelled carbon monoxide death (CD). The second group of animals was killed prior to exposure to CO and labelled disguised death (DD), while the third was the control group (CG). The vitreous humour samples were collected from all the animals using standard methodologies. The vitreous humour total protein and albumin were estimated while its globulin content and albumin/globulin ratio were derived mathematically. Pearson correlation analyses were used to establish relationships between vitreous protein profile components and the acute graded carbon monoxide concentrations. Results indicated a significant increase (P&lt;0.05) in vitreous total protein and globulin of the studied groups. This observation was more pronounced in the CD group of animals. Therefore the marked elevation of vitreous total protein and globulin may serve as a useful tool in the confirmation of death due to carbon monoxide poisoning

Vitreous Humour Lipid Peroxidation as an Emerging Concept of Acute Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a euphoric poisonous gas with the predisposition of causing death depending on its concentration. This study was designed to assess the effects of acute CO poisoning on oxidative stress indicators and other ancillary biochemical parameters. Eighteen (18) rabbits divided into three groups of six each constituted the sample size. The groups comprised of controls (CG), disguised death (DD) and CO death (CD). The CO utilized for the study was a product of portable generating set (SUMEC). Vitreous humor was extracted from the eyes of rabbits and assayed for lipid peroxidation parameters such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), malonaldehyde (MDA), glutathione reducatase (GT), lipid profiles, uric acids and glucose using standard methods. The result showed that vitreous SOD was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in both the DD and CD, but more markedly lower in the CD. On the contrarily, vitreous CAT was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the DDs. Also, vitreous MDA exhibited significant increase (P < 0.05) in both the DDs and CDs. Vitreous GT showed no significant difference (P > 0.05). The vitreous lipid profiles result showed a pan markedly significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the CDs as compared to the DDs. Vitreous uric acid exhibited a significant decrease only in the CDs, whereas vitreous glucose decreased both in the DD and CD, but more pronounced in the DD. Therefore, the findings showed that lipid peroxidation is a phenomenon associated with acute carbon monoxide poisoning