ABSTRACT
Background: Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) are the serological markers used in the diagnosis of the antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). HIV infection has been associated with an elevated aPls level, but its link to the APS with clinical thrombosis is still been investigated. This study is designed to determine and correlate serum level of antiphospholipid antibodies with CD4 count and some haematological parameters of HIV seropositive subjects in comparison to those of healthy controls and also to compare these parameters between antiretroviral therapy (ART) naïve and treated patients. Methodology: A cohort of 110 patients which consist of 90 HIV positive Patients (22 males and 68 females) and 20 HIV negative patients (10 males and 10 females) which serve as control attending Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH) Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria were recruited for the cross-sectional study. HIV antibodies were detected using 3 rapid diagnostic kits (Determine, Unigold and Stat Pak). CD4+ cells were counted using Partec® Cyflow Counter (Germany). The Full Blood Count was analyzed using the Sysmex® Automated Haematology Analyzer (Kobe-Japan). Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs) were assayed using the Human Anti-Phospholipid Screen IgG/IgM ELISA kit (Alpha Diagnostic International, Texas, USA). Results: The present study showed that the mean serum antiphospholipid antibody level was significantly (P<0.001) higher in HIV positive Patients (11.83±7.36u/ml) compared to the control group (7.30±3.95u/ml). While on one hand, there was a strong positive correlation between serum aPLs level and PLT (r= 0.044), MCHC (r= 0.084) and LYM (r= 0.105) in HIV infection; on the other hand, there was a strong negative correlation with CD4 count (r= -0.094), PCV (r= -0.099), Hb (r= -0.072), RBC (r= -0.003), WBC (r= -0.063), MNO (r= -0.213), GRA (r= -0.003), MCV (r= -0.023) and MCH (r= -0.005). Also, there was no significant differences (P>0.05) between the aPLs level of HIV group on ART (11.44±7.74 u/ml) and those not on ART (12.00±7.24 u/ml). Some haematological parameters like PLT, PCV, Hb, RBC and red cell indices of the HIV group on ART did not differ significantly from those not on ART. However, the CD4 count (638.89±119.56 cell/?L), WBC (5.38±1.49X103/?L), LYM (51.43±7.99%) and GRA (46.30±10.18%) of the HIV group on ART were significant higher than those not on ART (465.30±145.92 cell/?L, 4.55±1.57X103/?L, 42.23±10.96% and 39.10±7.81%, respectively). Conclusion: Significant elevated aPLs level is present in HIV infection; however, the information obtained is not sufficient to indicate the occurrence of anti-phospholipid syndrome in HIV infection. There was no strong relationship between aPLs level and indicators of immunohaematological abnormalities in HIV infection. This finding is plausible and would therefore require further investigation.
ABSTRACT
Aims: To evaluate and compare the effects of single and combined oral administration of fresh aqueous onion (Allium cepa) and garlic (Allium sativum) extracts at different concentrations (200mg/kg/d, 400mg/kg/d and 600mg/kg/d) on some haematological and hepatotoxicity indicator parameters in treated rats. Study Design: Cross-sectional nonclinical study in animal model. Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at the Department of Physiology, Department of Biochemistry and Department of Haematology, College of Health Sciences, Igbinedion University Okada, Edo state, Nigeria between the month of July and August, 2011. Methodology: Following 30 days post-oral administration of extracts in 36 treated male albino rats as well as 4 controls, haematological parameters were determined using the Sysmex® Automated Haematology Analyzer, while serum levels of liver enzymes were evaluated using the Reflotron® Plus Auto-Analyzer and liver weight was determined using electronic sensitive weighing balance. Results: Red blood cell count (RBC), Packed cell volume (PCV), Haemoglobin concentration (HGB), Total White blood cell count (TWBC), Absolute Count of Neutrophil (NEUT#), Absolute Count of Lymphocyte (LYM#), Absolute Count of the summation of Monocyte, Eosinophil and Basophil (MXD#) and Platelet count (PLT) were significantly increased (P<0.05) to varied extent, except Mean cell volume (MCV), Mean cell haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) while Alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) and Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT) serum levels were significantly decreased (P<0.001) and liver weight (LW) was non-significantly (P>0.05) reduced in a dose-dependent manner when compared to the control. Synergistic effect was not observed in the haematological parameters when the two extracts were combined. Conclusion: The results of this study reveal the haematological potential of onion and garlic extracts with no potential risk of hepatotoxicity (at the concentrations tested) as earlier anticipated. It also further confirms the higher efficacy of garlic over that of onion, but the molecular mechanism behind their combined effect would require further investigation.