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Zeleke Geto,1 Meseret Derbew Molla,2 Feyissa Challa,1 Yohannes Belay,3 Tigist Getahun1 1National Reference Laboratory for Clinical Chemistry, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; 2Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia; 3National Reference Laboratory for Hematology and Immunology, Ethiopian Public Health Institute, Addis Ababa, EthiopiaCorrespondence: Zeleke Geto Email zegetdm@gmail.comAbstract: Mitochondria are organelles with highly dynamic ultrastructure maintained by flexible fusion and fission rates governed by Guanosine Triphosphatases (GTPases) dependent proteins. Balanced control of mitochondrial quality control is crucial for maintaining cellular energy and metabolic homeostasis; however, dysfunction of the dynamics of fusion and fission causes loss of integrity and functions with the accumulation of damaged mitochondria and mitochondrial deoxyribose nucleic acid (mtDNA) that can halt energy production and induce oxidative stress. Mitochondrial derived reactive oxygen species (ROS) can mediate redox signaling or, in excess, causing activation of inflammatory proteins and further exacerbate mitochondrial deterioration and oxidative stress. ROS have a deleterious effect on many cellular components, including lipids, proteins, both nuclear and mtDNA and cell membrane lipids producing the net result of the accumulation of damage associated molecular pattern (DAMPs) capable of activating pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs) on the surface and in the cytoplasm of immune cells. Chronic inflammation due to oxidative damage is thought to trigger numerous chronic diseases including cardiac, liver and kidney disorders, neurodegenerative diseases (Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease), cardiovascular diseases/atherosclerosis, obesity, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Keywords: mitochondria, dynamics, inflammation, non-communicable diseases

Background: There is strong and consistent evidence indicating high salt intake is one of the risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The global target is to reduce population salt intake by 30% by 2025. This study was conducted with the aim of determining the level of urinary sodium excretion and determinates among adults in Ethiopia.Methods: A nation-wide cross-sectional survey on NCD risk factors was carried out using the WHO STEPS survey during April and June 2015. A total of 6761 spot urine samples representative of all the regions of the country including the cities of Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa city administration were collected. The level of sodium and creatinine excretion was determined using Cobas Integra 400 Plus. INTERSALT equation was used to calculate population salt intake. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent predictors of salt intake.Results: Among 6761 study participants included in this study, 3979 (58%) were female, 2653 (39.2%) of the study participants aged between 15-29 years. The mean estimated salt intake (g/day) in Ethiopia population using random spot urine was 8.3 (95% CI 8.2-8.4) where the average salt intake among male was 9.0 (95% CI 8.9-9.1) and 7.4 (95% CI 7.3-7.4) among female. Those aged 30-34 [AOR and (95%CI)] [2.89 (1.81-4.57)] and male [AOR and (95%CI)] [2.34 (1.65-3.30)] were more likely to have high sodium intake than their counterparts.Conclusion and recommendation: Salt consumption in Ethiopia is higher than the WHO recommendations of 5 g/day. Being male and in the thirties was a strong determinant influencing the sodium intake in our study. Population based strategies to reduce salt intake must be implemented and also factors associated with high salt intake should be considered as one of the strategies used in community interventions directed to reduce salt intake to prevent death and disability from NCDs. Key words: Sodium excretion, Salt intake, Spot Urine, Ethiopia

Background Globally, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is higher among patients with schizophrenia than the general population, and this leads to higher morbidity and mortality in this population. The aim of this study was to investigate the MetS prevalence among patients with schizophrenia in Ethiopia. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data of 200 patients with schizophrenia recruited from Amanuel Mental Specialized Hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Lipid profile and blood glucose levels were measured using Roche Cobas 6000 clinical chemistry analyzer. The prevalence of MetS was assessed based on National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. Patients’ demographic information, clinical and laboratory data, lifestyle habits, particularly smoking and Khat chewing, were evaluated vis-à-vis MetS. Results The overall prevalence of MetS in patients with schizophrenia was 21.5% (17.1% male, 29.6% female) where Low HDL-cholesterol value was the most common metabolic disorders components in both males and females subgroups. In the multivariate analysis, the positive and negative symptoms score (PANSS, AOR = 1.03, 95% CI 1.001–1.054) was associated factors with MetS. Conclusion In Ethiopia, patients with schizophrenia were found to have higher prevalence of MetS than the general population. Physicians/health care providers should routinely screen patients with schizophrenia for MetS and initiate timely management of those who develop the syndrome to reduce the health cost from caring for NCDs, improve the patients’ quality of life, and prevent premature mortality.