Comparison of plasma lipid profiles and atherogenic indices among hypertensives with or without type 2 diabetes

Background: Several atherogenic indices derived from the lipid profiles are postulated to better detect dyslipidemias and predict the risk of having cardiovascular events even in the presence of insignificant changes in individual lipid parameters. Objective: To compare the lipid ratios and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) to conventional atherogenic indices among hypertensive type 2 diabetics to hypertensive nondiabetes (HND) controls. Materials and Methods: A case­control study in which 210 participants with type 2 diabetes mellitus with hypertension (hypertensive­diabetic [HD]) compared with 150 (n = 155) hypertensive without diabetes (HND) with similar ages were enrolled. Blood samples for fasting lipid profile were collected and analyzed, and the following indices and ratios were calculated: (TC/high­density lipoprotein­cholesterol [HDL­C]), (low­density lipoprotein­cholesterol [LDL­C]/HDL­C), (HDL­C/ LDL­C), and AIP. The indices were compared in both the participants and control group. Results: There was no significant difference in the clinical characteristics of HD compared to the HND except the systolic blood pressure, weight, and HDL­C which were lower in the HND group. The frequency of dyslipidemia was found to be significantly higher in the HD group except elevated LDL­C in males (25.8% vs. 17.4%, χ2 = 0.055, respectively). Furthermore, all the lipid ratios, except (Castelli risk index II [CRI­ II] were found to be significantly different among HD as compared to HND group (P = 0.002, P = 0.045, respectively). Conclusions: This study concludes that Nigerians with both type 2 diabetes and hypertension have worse dyslipidemia and abnormal lipid ratios compared to those with only hypertension.

Effect of Plasma Storage on Prothrombin Time and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time at a Nigerian Public Laboratory

Background: Prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) are the tests used in the investigation and monitoring of hemostatic disorders. Plasma is used to perform these tests immediately or stored for later use. The time and storage temperature have been shown to affect the results of these tests. Thus; all coagulation laboratories need guidelines for plasma storage to ensure reliable results. Objective: To determine the effect of varying storage times and temperatures on plasma PT and APTT. Materials and Methods: PT and APTT were run on plasma from 40 healthy adults using a semi-automated coagulometer. PT and APTT were measured at 0; 4; 6; and 24 h on samples stored at room temperature; refrigerated samples; and frozen samples. The values at 0 h were compared with the values at 4; 6; and 24 h. Results: PT and APTT values were within the reference ranges at 0 h. For refrigerated plasma; PT values at 4 h were within normal; but at 6 and 24 h; they were significantly deranged (P 0.05). PT was significantly different at 4; 6; and 24 h for both room temperature and frozen plasma (P 0.05). The APTT showed significant differences between 0 h value and values at 4; 6; and 24 h for all the varying temperature conditions. Conclusion: For reliable PT and APTT results; samples should be processed and run immediately after collection. However; plasma for PT can be stored at 2o-4oC for only 4 h

Biochemical Nutritional Parameters in Breast-Milk and Plasma of HIV Infected Lactating Nigerian Mothers on Anti-Retroviral Therapy

Undernourishment in HIV infected individuals exacerbates immunosuppression; acceleration of HIV replication and CD4 + T cell depletion. The production of human milk (lactogenesis) is dependent on factors in the blood therefore deranged blood parameters in HIV patients are expected to reflect in the components of breast milk. Study on effects of HIV infection on nutritional components of breast milk and plasma is scarce. This study assessed the impact which HIV infection might have on the nutritional quality of human breast milk and plasma by determining the levels of biochemical nutritional factors such as albumin; pre-albumin; transferrin and retinol binding in HIV infected lactating mothers (n=20) and HIV-negative lactating mothers (n=30) using immunoplates. The mean plasma level of albumin was significantly reduced in HIV infected lactating mothers (HIM) compared with HIV-negative lactating mothers (control). Breast milk transferrin was significantly increased in HIM compared with the control. It is concluded from this study that hypoalbuminaemia is a common feature in HIV-infected lactating mothers

Plasma Interferon-gamma and IL-4; Immunoglobulin Classes and Nitric Oxide in Nigerians with Acute Leukaemia

Acute leukaemia are usually rapidly progressive with death often occurring in a few weeks to a few months in untreated patients as a result of abnormal hematopoietic function as well as impaired immune response. The risk of relapse which remains in 20 of patients in remission calls for more research on acute leukaemia. This study therefore; evaluated the plasma levels of nitric oxide (NO); interleukin-4 (IL-4); interferon-gamma (IFN-?) and immunoglobulin classes (IgA; IgG; IgM; IgE) in twenty-five (25) patients with acute leukaemia (AL) and twenty-five (25) apparently healthy controls. The mean levels of plasma IgA; IgG and IgM were not significantly elevated in leukaemia patients compared with control. However; the mean plasma levels of IgE; NO; IL-4 and IFN-? were significantly elevated in leukaemia patients compared with controls. It could therefore be concluded from this study that humoural immunity is not depressed in acute leukaemia patients

The influence of storage period on the antioxidants level of red blood cells and the plasma before transfusion

Stored blood is used for transfusion in humans but peroxidative processes occur in stored blood before transfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the length of storage on plasma antioxidant levels and RBCs antioxidant enzyme activity. Blood collected from 15 donors and preserved with anticoagulant (citerate phosphate; dextrose adenine (CPDA-1) were examined. The concentration of total antioxidant status (TAS); malondialdehyde (MDA) and potassium (K+) in the plasma as well as glutathione peroxidise (GSH - Px); glutathione superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in erythrocytes were determined on days 1;5;10;15;20;25;30;35 and 40 of storage. Day 1 of the study is the day of donation.A 24.8increase in plasma concentration of MDA and 15.8increase in the concentration K+ on day 15 were recorded (p0.05). A 27decrease in the plasma concentration of TAS was observed on day 20 compared with day 1 (p0.05). Similarly GSH-Px activity is stored RBC decreased by 17.1; on day 15 (p0.05). SOD activities reduced by 17.1on day 20; CAT activities reduced by 12.6on day 15 (in each case p0.05). In this study blood stored in CPDA-1 shows that those glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes systems in erythrocytes and antioxidant defence in plasma were depleting gradually depending on the day of storage. We concluded based on our finding that 10 days period can be considered a safe storage limits for transfusion in relation to oxidative stress the RBCs were subjected in the storage medium

Plasma electrolytes in healthy individuals and elective surgical patients in Khartoum

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate if the frequently observed low preoperative values of the plasma electrolytes Na+; K+; and Ca+2 in our surgical patients; in Khartoum; is a reflection of their levels in the population at large or it is a genuine finding in patients.Methods: 90 male and female subjects were included in this study. 60 healthy; young and elderly individuals were selected randomly from amongst medical students and employees of the University of Khartoum. 30 elective orthopedic and general surgical patients were randomly selected from Khartoum teaching hospital. Plasma Na+ and K+ were measured using a digital flammometer; and plasma Ca+2 was measured using a spectrophotometer. Results were compared to international data using the Z test. Comparison between the groups in the study was done using the student t-test. Results: Plasma Na+; K+; and Ca+2of the healthy subjects and the surgical patients were found to be low compared to the international reference values. Plasma K+ is higher and Ca+2is lower in the older subjects when compared to young ones. Conclusion: a larger study is needed to set the normal values for plasma electrolytes in the Sudan. The high environmental temperature and nature of our diets could be the reason for the observed differences between our subjects and international reference values

Plasma Glucose in a Reference Population in Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Background: Reference intervals are important in the analysis of results obtained for patients in the Hospital. These intervals tend to change as population demographics change. Globally; there has been an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and a change in the criteria set in diagnosing this disease. Since we have used the same reference intervals since 1984; it became imperative to review the reference intervals in use in our Hospital; the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital; Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Methods : A total of 605 patients from the Out-Patient department and the Hospital community randomly following informed consent. Five milliliters (5mls) of blood was collected into fluorides oxalate bottles between 9.00-11.00 a.m. after an overnight fast for the determination of plasma glucose. The samples were assayed daily within two hours of collection. Serum glucose was determined using the glucose oxidase method (Randox Laboratories-Antrim UK). Results: The reference interval covering the central 95th centile as determined by non-parametric methods was 3.0-5.7 mmol/L (95confidence interval-2.7-3.2 and 5.6-5.8 mmol/L) for the entire study population; while that for males was 2.9-6.3 mmol/L and that for females was 3.3-5.6 mmol/L. Conclusion : It is essential to review reference intervals periodically as changes may occur due to changes in population demographics

La transferrine (Trf) du plasma humain: isolement, purification et préparation d'anti-transferrine a visée diagnostic à Cotonou

La transferrine (Trf) est une glycoproteine qui assure le transport du fer dans l'organisme. C'est aussi un marqueur de l'etat nutritionnel et de l'alcoolisme grace d'une part a son taux de renouvellement rapide puis a sa sensibilite; a la denutrition et d'autre part; a sa microheterogeneite moleculaire. Enfin l'existence d'un fort pour centage de bitransferrinemie (resultats non encore publies) au sein de la population beninoise rend utile l'isolement et la purification de la transferrine afin de preparer son anticorps aux fins d'etudes metaboliques chez l'Africain

Plasma transaminases in healthy Nigerians

The plasma aspartate transminase (E.C.2.6.1.1.) and alanine (E.C.2.6.1.2.) activities have been examined in healthy Nigerians grouped by age and sex. Plasma aspartate transminase activity is highest at birth; the level being higher in the males than in the females. The plasma activity stabilises to adult values at about the age of 20 years. The plasma activity of alanine transminases stabilises to the the adult values before the age of 10 years in both male and female Nigerians