ABSTRACT
Background: Osteoporosis is a progressive bone disease characterized by a reduction in bone mass and density, leading to bone fragility and an increased risk of sustaining fractures. Several studies have shown that the risk for osteoporosis increases with age and after menopause. Methods: A cross-sectional study was undertaken of 422 postmenopausal women at the Family Medicine Clinic of the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). Variables such as socio-demographic characteristics, anthropometric indices, and lifestyle habits of participants were assessed. In addition, bone mineral density was measured using a validated portable dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scanner. The results of the bone mineral density were analyzed based on T-scores. Results: The mean age of the study subjects was 59.8± ±6.4 years, while the mean age at menopause was 50.15 ± 4.1 years. The majority of the subjects were obese (41.5%), while the prevalence of osteoporosis and osteopenia was 15.1% and 30.6%, respectively. The use of oral steroids was associated with osteoporosis (P < 0.05). Conclusion: We recommend regular bone mineral density screening of postmenopausal women at the primary care level for early diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis to prevent fragility fractures.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cisplatin is an anti-cancer drug that causes nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress. Extracts of Nigella sativa is nephroprotective. Vitamin E is also a potent antioxidant. This study sought to determine a possible synergistic effect of administering the two agents prior to cisplatin use on nephrotoxicity and oxidative stress. METHODS: 48 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups of 8 rats each. Group I served as the control. Group II received cisplatin without any treatment for 6 days. Groups III, IV, V and VI received 100 mg/kg Nigella sativa (NS), 200 mg/kg NS, 100 mg/kg Vitamin E and 200 mg/kg NS+100 mg/kg Vitamin E respectively for 5 days prior to 6 days administration of cisplatin. On the last day of the experiment, all the animals were sacrificed and serum samples collected for analysis. RESULTS: Cisplatin administration caused a significant increase in creatinine level (p<0.01), urea level (p<0.01), sodium concentration and malondialdehyde level (p<0.001). Pre-administration with NS caused a significant reduction in creatinine level (p<0.001), urea level (p<0.001), sodium concentration (p<0.001) and malondialdehyde (p<0.01) level. Pre-administration with vitamin E caused a significant reduction in creatinine level (p<0.001), urea level (p<0.01), sodium concentration (p<0.001) and malondialdehyde level. They both also caused a significant increase in superoxide dismutase, reduced glutathione and catalase (CAT) levels. The combination of NS and vitamin E however did not show significant synergistic effects. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that even though pre-administration of the two agents protect against renal toxicity and oxidative stress, the effects are however not collaborative.
