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

Serum lipids, ABO blood group and sickle cell trait.

One hundred apparently healthy individuals were used in this study. 71% of these had normal haemoglobin (HbAA) while 29% had sickle cell trait (HbAS). Serum cholesterol and phospholipids were investigated. The mean lipid and lipoprotein concentrations (cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol and phospholipid) were higher in the sickle cell trait than in the subjects with normal haemoglobin. When separated into blood groups, 24% belonged to the type A+, 11% to the type B+, 2% to the type AB+ and 63% to the type O+. In relation to sexes, a greater percentage of female population had higher lipid levels then the men, and this was consistent even in the sickle cell trait.

Plasma cholesterol, B-carotene and ascorbic acid changes in human malaria.

Serum cholesterol (Total and free) as well as B-carotene and vitamin C level concentrations during and after severe infection by Plasmodium falciparum were determined. The decrease in the concentrations of cholesterol and B-carotene during and after infection was not statistically significant (P > 0.01), while the decrease in vitamin C was statistically significant (P < 0.01) during and after infection.

Effects of single oral doses of scopoletin and aflatoxin B1 on the clotting time, serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels of chicks.

The plasma cholesterol and phospholipid levels as well as the bleeding time of chicks treated with single oral doses of scopoletin (60 micrograms/kg, body wt) and aflatoxin B1 (50 micrograms/kg, body wt) were measured at intervals for a period of one week (168 h). Both compounds generally increased the bleeding time (AFB1 0.8-28.7%, Scopoletin 0.5-38.2%), serum total and free cholesterol, and the serum phospholipid levels but decreased the levels of the serum esterified cholesterol fraction relative to control throughout the period of study. The extent of these changes elicited by the respective compounds and the variation in the differences between their respective effects varied with the measured parameters. The importance of the similarities in the effects elicited by aflatoxin B1 and Scopoletin was highlighted.