Plasma Concentration of Ascorbic Acid and Some Hematological Parameters in Tobacco Snuffers Among the Igbos of Southeastern Nigeria

Tobacco snuffing; like cigarette smoking; is known to be a common habit among the adults of Igbo communities in Nigeria. In view of the various pharmacological actions of nicotine and other additive constituents of tobacco snuff; there is growing concern that ascorbic acid; which is a vital antioxidant; and blood cell production or morphology may be affected. Objective: To investigate the possible effects of prolonged use of tobacco snuff on plasma ascorbic acid concentrations and some hematological parameters. Materials and Methods: Fifty adults of Igbo extraction (35 males and 15 females) residents in and around Enugu metropolis; who have been snuffing tobacco for 6 years and above; were recruited for the study; after they gave informed consent. Also; 50 apparently healthy; age-matched persons (25 males; 25 females); who do not smoke or take tobacco snuff; served as controls. Spectrophotometric method was adopted for ascorbic acid determination while hematological profiles were assessed by Bain method. Results: The results showed no significant difference in the measured parameters relative to the controls AA (P=0.08); Hb (P=0.19); PCV (P=0.10); RC (P=0.06); PC (P=0.20); WBC (P=0.09). Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that tobacco snuff inhalation may not adversely affect plasma ascorbic acid concentration and hematological parameters in adult humans. The study; however; has not concluded that tobacco snuffing is totally wholesome

Zinc Concentration during Pregnancy and Lactation in Enugu; South-East Nigeria

Background: There is no doubt that micronutrient deficiency is common in our environment. Replacements have thus been instituted without adequate information on specific and peculiar micronutrient needs of our people. Zinc is an essential micronutrient which is prone to maternal depletion during pregnancy and lactation. Unfortunately; studies in that regard in Nigeria has received diminutive interest. Objectives: To determine zinc concentration during pregnancy and lactation. Methods: This is a cohort study involving one hundred and twenty (120) pregnant women attending the antenatal clinic of one tertiary and two secondary health care institutions in Enugu. Thirty-five (35) apparently healthy; non pregnant women were used as control subjects. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS) was used to determine the zinc levels in the serum of the mothers during pregnancy; postpartum and in the breast milk. Results: Results showed that mean serum zinc levels were significantly decreased (P 0.0001) in pregnancy when compared with non-pregnant control subjects. The levels decreased as gestation progressed; with the lowest concentration of serum zinc obtained during the third trimester. It was also observed that serum zinc levels which decreased in pregnancy; increased non- significantly (P

Assessment of Iron Content of Breast Milk in Preterm and Term Mothers in Enugu Urban

Background: It is commonly assumed that preterm babies are malnourished and this has led to all forms of micronutrient supplementation including iron. Objective:The aim of the study is to compare the iron content in breast milk of mothers who had preterm and term babies.Methods:Ninety six (96) lactating mothers who delivered their babies at term and 68 lactating mothers who had preterm deliveries were recruited for the study. The mothers were attending the postnatal clinic of one secondary and two tertiary healthcare facilities in Enugu. Breast milk iron concentration was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer.Results:The differences in the mean values for the iron concentrations in preterm and term breast milk were statistically significant (39.06±10.78 versus 32.79±14.17 µmol/L, P =0.02). In both groups, the breast milk iron concentration gradually decreased as lactation progressed. (P <0.0001).Conclusion:The iron content of breast milk from mothers who had preterm babies is higher when compared to mothers who had term babies. It may thus be needless to introduce exogenous iron during lactation

Oxidative Stress and Glycaemic Control in Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Enugu; South-East Nigeria

Background: There is growing evidence that excess generation of highly reactive free radicals; largely due to hyperglycaemia causes oxidative stress; which further exacerbates the development and progression of type 2 diabetes and its complications. Objectives: In this study; the level of oxidative stress was compared with glycaemic control in type 2 diabetic patients. Method: Fifty confirmed type 2 diabetic patients; aged between 25 and 70 years were used for the study. 20 patients with good glycaemic control served as positive control while 20 apparently healthy non-diabetic age-matched individuals served as negative control. The FBS; MDA and HbA1c were determined in fasting blood samples using standard methods. Results: Patients with poor glycaemic control had significantly raised MDA and HbA1c (P =0.0001) when compared with non diabetics However; those with good glycaemic control only had a significant increase in the MDA when compared to non diabetic. (P =0.0001).).The MDA level when compared to fasting blood sugar (FBS) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) showed a positive correlation.( r= 0.77; P = 0.0001 and r=0.69; P = 0.0001 respectively) Conclusion: This study showed that both glycaemic control and lipid peroxidation are factors to be monitored or evaluated in the management of type2 diabetics to avoid the development of diabetic complications

Copper and Selenium Status of Healthy Pregnant Women in Enugu; Southeastern Nigeria

Background: Copper and selenium are important trace elements in man. They function as antioxidants and play roles in oxido-reductase reactions. Several imported multivitamin preparations are given to our women during pregnancy and lactation to correct possible deficiencies. Objective: The aim of the study is to determine the serum level of these micronutrients (selenium and copper) in a cross section of pregnant women in Enugu; southeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross section of 130 healthy pregnant women at different trimesters of pregnancy and 30 non-pregnant controls were selected from two health facilities in Enugu; southeastern Nigeria. Serum from the samples collected was assayed for copper and selenium using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. Results: The mean copper level increased (P = 0.018); while the selenium level decreased (P 0.0001) as pregnancy advanced. Conclusion: High copper levels indicate that supplementation should not be undertaken during normal pregnancy. Dietary intake should be modified to ensure optimal selenium levels during pregnancy

Assessment of Body Mass Index and Blood Pressure among University Students in; Enugu; South East; Nigeria

Body Mass Index (BMI) has been described as a significant predictor of Blood Pressure (B.P) but few studies have demonstrated this association in our environment. The study aims to determine the pattern of relationship between BMI and blood pressure in our environment Two thousand and ninety six (2096) students in two Universities located in Enugu; South East Nigeria completed the study. The blood pressure; weight and height were measured. Body mass index was calculated as weight in Kilograms divided by height in meters square (kg/m ). More females than males were underweight (9.4versus 4.7). More males than females were overweight (8versus 4).Obesity occurred more in males than females (7versus 0.9).Blood pressure parameters increased significantly with BMI (p