Quantitative serum lipoprotein electrophoresis in Nigerians.

In response to the growing demand for lipid profiles in Nigerian patients with suspected ischaemic heart disease, cerebro-vascular accident and hypertension, serum lipoprotein electrophoresis based on ozone-Schiff staining technique and densitometric scanning has been developed. Out of 93 serum samples 80 showed three distinct bands in the electrophoretic patterns; nine showed two distinct bands and four had unusual migration characteristics. Mean percentages of the three bands in the common pattern were 43.5, 22.8, and 33.7 for alpha pre-beta and beta lipoproteins respectively. The relative preponderance of alpha lipoproteins in Africans contrasts with the findings in Europeans. It supports the view that high serum alpha lipoproteins may be protective against ischaemic heart disease in contrast to the atherogenic role of beta lipoproteins.

Biochemical changes of normal pregnancy and puerperium in Lagos, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study is presented of biochemical changes in the third trimester of normal pregnancy and puerperium during the wet season in the tropical climate of Lagos, Nigeria. These changes are less marked in first than in subsequent pregnancies, and although qualitatively similar, in some respects they differ from those observed in the temperate climatic zone. The indications are that quantitative differences may exist which could be relevant to the management of pregnancy in the tropics.

Plasma insulin and human growth hormone patterns in an African population.

Low fasting blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity have been consistently reported in Africans. To study the role played by insulin and growth hormone (HGH) in the genesis of this state, plasma insulin and HGH levels were measured in 40 healthy fasting Africans. Mean plasma insulin and HGH were 10.7 +/- 1.3 muU/ml and less than 1 muU/ml respectively. These are in the same range reported for Caucasians in the literature. The response of plasma insulin and HGH to a menal was further studied in 80 healthy Africans. While insulin response was brisk and adequate, the HGH response was rather sluggish. The significance of these findings is discussed.

Serum lipids and lipoproteins in healthy Africans.

Using a simple precipitation technique we observed that the serum concentrations of low density lipoproteins in healthy Africans were less than half the serum concentrations in healthy Europeans. Serum concentrations of lipids and the lipoproteins varied according to the social class of Africans. Serum triglyceride concentrations did not rise with adult age but serum cholesterol concentrations did. Contrary to the findings in Europeans, the proportion of alpha lipoprotein fraction on serum electrophoresis in the Africans was relatively higher than that of beta lipoprotein fraction.

The effect of long term anticonvulsant therapy on serum calcium, phosphate and alkaline phosphatase in Nigerian epileptic patients.

A survey of calcium metabolism in fifty-two epileptic patients on long term therapy with anti-convulsant drugs, showed that their total serum calcium levels were within normal limits. There was neither clinical nor radiological evidence of osteomalacia in any of them. It is postulated therefore that the osteomalacic effect of antivonculsant drugs reported among Caucasians does not appear to occur in African patients in a tropical environment most probably due to the abundance of vitamin D derived from the sun's ultra-violet light.