Comparative Determination of Mitochondrial Biomarkers and Their Relationship With Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Data suggest malfunctioning mitochondria reduce oxidation and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production, disrupting insulin signalling. Cytochrome c (CC), acylcarnitine (AC) and citrate synthase (CS) are essential components of the mitochondria machinery and can be used as reliable biomarkers of mitochondrial dysfunction. This study aimed to determine whether mitochondrial biomarkers (AC, CS and CC) are altered in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and to examine the association between these biomarkers and insulin resistance. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional observational study that recruited 170 participants (88 with T2DM and 82 without DM) was conducted. Blood samples were collected from the recruits and analysed for levels of fasting glucose (FBG), AC, CS, CC, insulin, total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and magnesium. Blood pressure (BP) and anthropometric characteristics of participants were also taken. Appropriate formulas were used to determine %body fat, body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), the homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity (HOMA-ß). RESULTS: Patients with T2DM had higher levels of CC, %body fat, FBG, TG, HbA1c, BMI and HOMA-IR than controls (p < 0.05, respectively). Results showed a significant relationship between circulating CC levels versus HOMA-ß (r = -0.40, p = 0.001), CS (r = -0.70, p = 0.001) and AC (r = -0.72, p = 0.001) levels in patients with T2DM. The adjusted odds increased in the T2DM patients for VLDL (OR = 6.66, p = 0.002), HbA1c (OR = 6.50, p = 0.001), FPG (OR = 3.17, p = 0.001), TG (OR = 2.36, p = 0.010), being female (OR = 2.09, p = 0.020) and CC (OR = 1.14, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION: Overall, alterations in mitochondrial biomarkers, measured by AC, CC and CS, were observed in people with T2DM and showed a direct relationship with insulin resistance. These findings are potentially significant in Africa, although additional confirmation from a larger cohort is necessary.

Blood C-peptide concentration as a proxy marker of cardiovascular disease: An observational cross-sectional study.

Background and Aims: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are among the leading causes of disability and early death in sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the current blood tests for CVD diagnosis involve performing about three test profiles; often at additional cost to patients. C-peptide, a cleavage product of proinsulin, is a promising marker that has the potential to serve as a proxy marker for diagnosing CVDs in resource-poor settings. Methodology: The study was an observational cross-sectional one and involved 127 consenting persons diagnosed with CVD and 127 individuals without CVD. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of participants were obtained. Blood levels of C-peptide, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total creatinine kinase (CK), creatine kinase myocardial bound (CKMB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), propeptide of brain natriuretic peptide (PBNP), Troponin T, lipids, and biomarkers of kidney and liver function were analyzed using ELISA and an automated analyzer. Insulin resistance was computed using the modified homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR). Results: The CVD Group had significantly higher levels of C-peptide, CK, CKMB, troponin T, PBNP, FPG, HOMA-IR, and several selected kidney, liver, and lipid parameters compared to the non-CVD Group (p < 0.05 for all). Troponin T recorded a positive correlation (r = 0.34, p < 0.001) with C-peptide among the CVD Group. The sensitivity and specificity of C-peptide in identifying CVD were 96.1% and 91.3% respectively (area under the curve = 0.938, p < 0.001). Conclusion: C-peptide levels were higher in the CVD Group and appeared to be a valuable (high sensitivity and specificity) biomarker in detecting CVD.

Effect of circulating ceramides on adiposity and insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes: An observational cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the common chronic metabolic disorders in Africa and elsewhere. Accumulation of lipids in the body may be due to an imbalance in the metabolism of lipids, glucose and proteins. Ceramides are a sphingolipid class of lipids that are biologically active and vital in the production of more complex lipids. Circulating ceramides are thought to have a role in the development of obesity-related IR, although the precise involvement remains unclear. AIM: To investigate the impact of circulating ceramide on IR and body adiposity in people with and without type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). METHODOLOGY: The study was observational and cross-sectional. There were a total of 84 volunteers with T2DM and 75 nondiabetics (control). The participants' ages, body mass indexes (BMI), waist circumferences, and blood pressure (BP) were among the clinical parameters assessed. Ceramide levels, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipids, basal insulin levels and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) were also measured. Additionally, the homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) and beta cell function (HOMA-ß) were computed. RESULTS: T2DM and control participants had different mean values for anthropometric parameters, BP, FPG, HbA1c, lipids, insulin, HOMA-IR, HOMA-ß and ceramide levels (p < .05 for all). HOMA-IR, HOMA-ß and cardiovascular risk were significant correlates with ceramide levels in the T2DM group (r = 0.24; -0.34; 0.24, p < .05, respectively). Further, FPG (OR = 1.83, p = .01) and ceramide (OR = 1.05, p = .01) levels were significant predictors of IR in the case group. CONCLUSION: Patients with T2DM exhibited high ceramide concentrations, which, when combined with high FPG, were associated with IR. The consequences of circulating ceramides in health and disease; however, merit further research.

Challenges with the pursuit of ISO 15189 accreditation in a public health laboratory in Ghana.

Background: Accreditation is important for all medical laboratories, particularly public health laboratories in developing countries. Several laboratories in Ghana implemented the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189 but were unable to proceed to accreditation. This article describes the challenges faced by the Pathology Division Laboratory of the 37 Military Hospital, Accra, Ghana, during the acquisition of ISO 15189 accreditation and suggests solutions for a better approach. Intervention: Following ISO 15189 accreditation in 2017, an online survey was conducted between 01 and 30 March 2020 among the laboratory staff. Respondents were required to grade, on a scale of 0 (least) to 5 (most), the extent to which 16 key challenges influenced the process of obtaining accreditation. Key informant interviews were also held with laboratory personnel who were directly involved in the establishment of the quality management system in the laboratory and the accreditation acquisition process. Lessons learnt: Documentation, laboratory safety measures, laboratory management support, and reagent unavailability were estimated as the challenges that most affected the acquisition of laboratory accreditation. Challenges such as poor communication, staff apathy and workload had the least effect on the accreditation process. There was no difference in challenges identified between persons who worked in the laboratory before or after accreditation (p = 0.11). Recommendations: To surmount the anticipated challenges, there is the need for national strategic direction for laboratory accreditation, hospital and laboratory management support for the accreditation acquisition and maintenance processes, and sufficient technical assistance in the form of training and mentorship.