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Unlabelled: Our study is the type case-control realized at the Hospital of Constantine, discusses the relationship between polymorphism of apolipoprotein E and stroke., Methods: The determination of the polymorphism of apolipoprotein E was carried out by PCR- digestion (polymerase chain reaction) using the enzyme of restriction HhaI. The study population consisted of 218 Algerian patients with stroke (divided into 63% ischemic and 37% hemorrhagic), and 509 control subjects., Results: Three isoforms of apolipoprotéin E have been identified. The allelic distribution of apo E in the general population showed a predominance of the allele ɛ3 (84.3%) followed distantly by allele ɛ4 (10.7%) and ɛ2 (5%) respectively. ɛ3/ɛ4 genotype was significantly more represented among subjects with ischemic stroke (29.5%) compared with control subjects (18.8%). The odds ratio is 1.72 compared to carriers of the genotype ɛ3/ɛ3 (CI is 95% and p <0.05)., Conclusions: The distribution of allelic frequencies of apolipoprotein E in the population of Constantine is similar to that of Southern Europe. Our results imply a role of the genotype of apolipoprotein E (ɛ4 allele) in the pathogenesis of stroke and are limited to the accidents of the ischemic type. The ɛ2 allele does not appear to be implied in occurred of this affection; however, large additional studies are necessary to confirm this result.

Despite trace elements and vitamins are major public health problems in some African countries, there are few studies reporting micronutrient status in North Africa. Therefore, it could be interesting to evaluate plasma concentrations of vitamin A, E and beta-cartene, along with zinc, copper, selenium erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase in Algeria. Volunteers were randomly recruited in Constantine, Batna and Mila. Vitamins, trace elements and enzymes were measured in the University Hospital of Grenoble. 455 persons were included in the study. Subjects were divided in 3 groups: group I: 15 girls and 12 boys who were 6 to 12.9 years old, group II: 190 women and 192 men 13 to 49.9 years old, group III: 24 women and 24 men 50 to 65 years old. Plasma concentrations of micronutrients and enzymes are close to those commonly observed in Europe, except for vitamin A concentrations. Indeed, retinol levels are 30-35% lower than those reported in European countries, moreover almost 8% of the population showed retinol concentrations less than 1.05 mumol/l. beta-Carotene levels were also lower than in the French average population. Ten per cent of the population had plasma zinc levels lower than 10.6 mumol/l. Vitamin E, copper and selenium status seems satisfactory in Algeria. Vitamin A is not a public health problem, however a significant percentage of residents exhibits impaired vitamin A levels and may benefit from retinol supplementation. Larger studies are needed, and particularly in children, to detect possible higher prevalence of vitamin A deficiency in poor socio-economical classes and in inner geographic areas.

Vitamins A and E are essential for foetal growth, reproduction, and lactation. In this article we report the results of a study, lead in three Eastern Algeria cities, that involved 786 post-partum women and 250 control. Plasma levels of vitamins A, E, beta-carotene, and some nutritional indexes were measured in both groups. In control women, plasma retinol and beta-carotene levels were significantly lower in Algeria than in France (retinol: 1.4 +/- 0.42 vs. 1.78 +/- 0.53 mumol/l; beta-carotene: 0.35 +/- 0.261 vs. 0.94 +/- 0.611). These differences could be the consequence of different beta-carotene and retinol intakes. In Algeria, comparisons between post-partum women and controls, showed that plasma vitamin A and beta-carotene levels were significantly lower in post-partum than in control women. This fact, and the lower level of retinol in control women, raises the question of supplementation for pregnant women in Algeria, at least for those with the lowest standard of living whose protein and zinc levels are also very low after delivery. Plasma vitamin E levels and vitamin E/total lipid ratios were not different in Algeria and in France. Vitamin E concentration was higher during pregnancy, but the vitamin E/total lipid ratio was significantly lower, which shows a relative deficiency at the end of pregnancy. Comparisons of plasma vitamin E levels, at delivery, in primiparous and in multiparous women reveal a better tocopherol status in multiparous women. This difference could reflect an adaptive response to oxidative stress in multiparous women.