Origins and significance of the increased plasma alkaline phosphatase during normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.

Total alkaline phosphatase (AP) was measured in maternal plasma, cord plasma and placental extracts in normal and in pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Total plasma AP was significantly elevated during the last two trimesters in normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies, but contrary to previous reports, both placental and bone AP isoenzymes contributed to the significant elevation of total AP in both types of pregnancy. There was no placental AP isoenzyme in cord plasma but total cord plasma AP was higher in normotensive pregnancies than in pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Total AP concentration in placental tissue was higher in normotensive pregnancies than in pre-eclamptic pregnancies. A correlation was established between placental weights and maternal circulating placental AP.

Effect of chloroquine administration on the in vitro conjugation of oestradiol-17 beta by rat liver.

The conjugation of oestradiol-17 beta was studied in control and chloroquine-treated rats. Liver homogenates were incubated with [14C]oestradiol-17 beta and cofactors for 4 h at 37 degrees C and free radioactivity was extracted before and after hot acid hydrolysis. The extent of conjugation was estimated from the ratio of free radioactivity to free plus conjugated radioactivity. The method was authenticated by the negligibly low conjugation obtained for either heat-denatured homogenates or water blank. Each experiment was corrected for its own recovery. The effects of both single and multiple intramuscular injections of chloroquine phosphate to rats on the in vitro conjugation of oestradiol-17 beta were studied separately. It was observed that both procedures significantly potentiated conjugation.

Total serum calcium and phosphorus levels in women taking oral contraceptives.

Total serum calcium and inorganic phosphorus levels were determined in 185 Nigerian women attending the post partum Family Planning Clinic of University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. The concentrations of calcium and inorganic phosphorus were similar in 37 control subjects to those in 83 women who had been fitted with the Lippes loop. Serum calcium levels were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) in 25 women taking Ovral 28 and in 40 women taking Norlestrin-Fe in comparison with the control group. The serum inorganic phosphorus levels were significantly increased (P > 0.01) in the women taking oral contraceptives in comparison with the control group.

Relationship of serum copper and zinc to human hypertension in Nigerians.

Serum copper and zinc levels were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy in 48 hypertensive Nigerians and in 37 normotensive controls. Serum copper and total cholesterol levels were significantly increased in the hypertensive patients, but their serum zinc levels did not differ from those of the controls.

Serum copper in schizophrenia in Nigerians.

Serum copper concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry in 102 schizophrenic patients and 95 healthy control subjects. The serum copper concentrations were significantly higher in the schizophrenic patients than in the normal control subjects. The average serum copper in schizophrenic females was higher than in schizophrenic males, but the difference was not statistically significant.

Serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels in pregnant and non-pregnant Nigerians.

Serum calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium were determined in 282 Nigerian women comprising 213 pregnant women, 37 non-pregnant controls, and 32 postpartum women. There was very little change in the serum calcium levels throughout pregnancy; the slight reduction which occurred during the 8th and 9th months was not statistically significant. There was a significant reduction in the serum concentrations of inorganic phosphorus and magnesium during the 8th and 9th months of gestation; the levels of both minerals rose to non-pregnant levels at term.

Effect of oral contraceptives on Serum magnesium levels.

Serum magnesium levels were determined by atomic absorption apectrophotometry in 224 Nigerian women attending the post-partem Family Planning Clinic of University College Hospital, Ibadan. The concentrations of serum magnesium in 44 control subjects were similar to those of 87 women who had been fitted with the Lippes loop. Serum magnesium levels were significantly lower (P smaller than 0.001) in 28 women taking Ovral 28 and in 65 women taking Norlestrin Fe in comparison with the control group.

PIP: Considering the possibility that magnesium may be involved in the development of thromboembolism in humans, serum magnesium determinations were done in a group of 224 women attending the Post-Partum Family Planning Clinic of University College Hospital in Ibadan, Nigeria. Of these, 44 had been given no therapy, 87 had been fitted with Lippes loops, 28 were taking Ovral 28, and 65 were taking Norlestrin Fe. Those taking Ovral 28 had done so for an average of 9 months and those taking Norlestrin Fe, for 6 months. Magnesium concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry on serum deproteinized by a lanthanum-trichloroacetic acid diluent. Those fitted with Lippes loops had concentrations similar to the control group. Those taking the oral contraceptives had significantly lower levels (p less than .001) than the control group. Type of oral contraceptive or length of use was not correlated with serum magnesium levels. Results gave lower values than reported by others. In theory, the reduction in serum magnesium in women taking oral contraceptives would be associated with decreased clotting time and increased frequency of thromboembolic episodes.