Obesity and cardiovascular disease risk factors among adult Sudanese

In this study, the effect of obesity on the development of dyslipidemia, hypertension and glucose intolerance among Sudanese adults attending weight reduction programs was investigated. According to the BMI [Body mass index], 98 overweight/obese and 60 normal weight adults were included. Anthropometric measures were taken, lipid profile and C - reactive protein [CRP] were determined using commercial kits. Obesity related dyslipidemia seems to affect overweight/obese males more than females. On the other hand, overweight /obesity among females, not like males, was found to be associated with high blood pressure probably due inflammation, as determined by CRP level. Obesity related dyslipidemia is more prominent among males while obesity related hypertension is a phenomenon among females probably due to release of CRP. We recommend a more detailed study of inflammatory cytokines, in relation to obesity, that may reflect the mass and/or activity of the adipose tissue

Carnitine supplement: does it worth trial to improve semen quality among infertile Sudanese men?

Carnitine supplement proves to upgrade the quality of semen by increasing sperm count and motility. In this study we have determined the level of L - carnitine in the seminal plasma of men with normal and abnormal seminal analysis. L - carnitine levels among the normal group was significantly higher than the abnormal group. We recommend trials of carnitine supplements to evaluate its usefulness in correcting some infertility cases. A total of 52 men, recruited from fertility centers in Khartoum, were included in this study. Colorimetric carnitine determination kits were used for estimation of L - carnitine in seminal plasma. Collectively, men with normal values of semen analysis had significantly higher mean seminal plasma carnitine levels compared to abnormal values [p = 0.028]. Oligospermic men had significantly lower levels of carnitine compared to normal [p = 0.046]. Seminal plasma carnitine level seems to correlate with seminal quality and its deficiency may be a reason for infertility among some Sudanese men