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Cigarette smoking has been linked to atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disorders and various malignancies. However, the mechanism by which smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases is still controversial. One hundred and forty one apparently healthy male cigarette smokers and sixty apparently healthy non-smokers aged 18 to 65 years were enrolled into the study. The smokers were sub-divided into light (30 pack years) smokers. Anthropometric indices and blood pressure were measured. Fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and High density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were estimated using colorimetric test methods while low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein were calculated using Friedewald’s equation. Serum insulin was estimated using ELISA. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0; level of significance was set at p

Background and Aims: Natural dyes and pigments are nontoxic, ecofriendly alternatives to synthetic counterparts and beetroot is one such natural dye. The red color of beetroot derived from betalain pigments confers great advantage to this plant. In this study, the physiochemical and spectrophotometric characteristics of beetroot as well as the histological staining potential of various tissues were carried out to determine its tissue specificity. Methods: The aqueous and ethanol extracts of beetroot were prepared using distilled water and 95% ethanol, respectively. Spectrophotometry, pH, and concentration of both extracts were determined before histological staining with 10% neutral-buffered formalin-fixed, paraffin-wax-embedded tissue sections. Stained sections were viewed with a photomicroscope. Results: The aqueous and ethanol extracts of beetroot were slightly acidic and soluble at concentrations of 381.5 mg/100 g and 253.7 mg/100 g fresh beetroot sample, respectively. Both extracts consist of three betalain pigments with absorbances at different spectrophotometric wavelengths, namely betaxanthins (475 nm), betanin (525 nm), and betanidin (575 nm). The maximum absorbance was 0.925 and 0.615 for the aqueous and ethanol extracts, respectively, at a peak wavelength of 525 nm for each extract. Both extracts stained various tissue structures such as muscles, mucins, red blood cells, keratin, and nerve fibers. Conclusion: Thus, beetroot stain is slightly acidic, contains betalain pigments, stains basic histological tissue structures, and can be used as an ecofriendly alternative to hematoxylin and eosin.

Objectives: The disruption of the reciprocal regulation between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) has been associated with the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR). This study assessed the levels of VEGF, PEDF, indices of glycemia, and lipid profile in diabetic patients with retinopathy. Methods: One hundred fifty participants comprised 50 type 2 diabetic patients with DR, 50 without DR and 50 non-diabetic normotensive controls, aged 30–80 years, were randomly recruited for this case-control study. The study was carried out from November 2017 to December 2018. VEGF, PEDF, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma glucose, and lipid profile were determined using standard methods. Blood pressures (BP) and anthropometric indices were measured. Chi-squared test of independence, analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation were used to analyze data. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05 and 95% confidence interval. Results: Both diabetic groups had significantly higher (P = 0.001) systolic and diastolic BP, VEGF, PEDF, HbA1c, fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, total, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels and significantly lower (P = 0.005) VEGF/PEDF than the controls. However, the diabetics with retinopathy had significantly higher (P = 0.001) HDL-C, LDL-C, VEGF, and PEDF levels compared to the diabetics without retinopathy. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in the levels of VEGF, PEDF, and VEGF/PEDF in both groups of diabetics that had good glycemic control and poor glycemic control. There was also no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the levels of VEGF and PEDF between the dyslipidemic and non-dyslipidemic subjects in both diabetic groups. Conclusion: DR is associated with higher levels of VEGF and PEDF while good glycemic control and dyslipidemia seem not to have a profound effect on VEGF and PEDF levels in diabetics with or without DR. Higher PEDF levels are associated with higher atherogenic risk in the diabetics with retinopathy.

PURPOSE Prostate cancer (CaP) incidence and mortality rate are increasing in Africa. Some have linked oxidative stress with the pathogenesis of cancer. This study assessed the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), total plasma peroxide (TPP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in Nigerian patients with CaP. PATIENTS AND METHODS One hundred twenty patients with CaP and 100 apparently healthy controls were consecutively recruited into this case-control study. The patients with CaP were divided into treatment-naïve and androgen deprivation therapy (ADT)–treated groups. Anthropometric indices were measured, and MDA, NO, TAC, and TPP were assayed by colorimetric methods. The t test and analysis of variance were used in analysis of data; statistical significance was set at P < .05, and 95% CIs were reported. RESULTS The patients with CaP had significantly higher waist-hip ratios and NO ( P = .0001), TPP ( P = .001), oxidative stress index (OSI; P = .003), and MDA values ( P = .002) than controls. The treatment-naive patients with CaP had significantly higher waist-hip ratios ( P = .011) and TPP ( P = .013), MDA ( P = .011), and NO values ( P = .0001) and lower TAC values ( P = .013) compared with the controls. The ADT-treated patients had higher waist-hip ratios ( P = .0001) and TPP ( P = .005), OSI ( P = .005), MDA ( P = .011), and NO values ( P = .0001) than the controls. However, the treatment-naive patients had significantly higher NO values ( P = .05) only compared with the ADT-treated patients. There was a significantly positive correlation between MDA and duration of treatment ( r = 0.280, P = .018) in ADT-treated patients with CaP. CONCLUSION This study demonstrated that patients with CaP have higher levels of TPP, MDA, and NO and lower levels of TAC compared with men without CaP. In addition, even in patients with CaP undergoing treatment, TPP and MDA levels remained high.

Leprosy reduces quality of life of affected persons. Oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species may play a vital role in the pathogenesis of leprosy. This study evaluated anthropometric indices, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), lipid profile, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total plasma peroxide (TPP), oxidative stress index (OSI), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH) and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdg) in leprosy patients. Sixty test participants of both genders, aged 18–65years and diagnosed of multibacillary leprosy and 30 apparently healthy controls were consecutively recruited for this study. The test participants comprised of 30 patients on multidrug therapy (MDT) and 30 patients relieved from therapy (RFT). Body mass index (BMI), Waist-hip ratio (WHR), FPG, lipid profile, TAC, TPP, OSI, MDA, GSH and 8-OHdg were determined using appropriate methods. Data were analyzed using Analysis of variance; p, Author summary This study shows that there are lower levels of total antioxidant capacity and higher levels of total plasma peroxide, malondialdehyde in leprosy patients undergoing multidrug therapy and those relieved from treatment and higher levels of 8-OHdg and oxidative stress index in leprosy patients undergoing multidrug therapy. This is suggestive of increased oxidative stress, in multibacillary leprosy patients irrespective of drug treatment status and increased oxidative DNA damage in those undergoing multidrug therapy. Antioxidants supplementation may be beneficial in the treatment of leprosy to protect against the effects of oxidative stress and DNA damage. Leprosy patients relieved from treatment may be susceptible to cardiovascular events as shown by higher levels of VLDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and atherogenic index of plasma observed in that group compared to controls. It therefore points to the need to monitor cardiovascular comorbidities in patients on multidrug therapy and those released from therapy.

Context: Deleterious effects of diabetes on seminal quality, serum metals and antioxidants have been confirmed.Objective: This study evaluated the effect of combined calcium, magnesium, vitamin C and E supplementation on seminal parameters, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), nitric oxide (NO), malonyldialdehyde (MDA), calcium and magnesium in fructose-induced diabetic rats.Materials and methods: Thirty rats were grouped into non-diabetic controls, diabetic controls, diabetic rats given vitamin E + C, calcium + magnesium and vitamin E + C + calcium + magnesium. The analytes were evaluated using standard methods. Statistical significance was set at p < .05.Results: The diabetic controls had significantly higher MDA (p = .036) but lower (p = .0001) TAC, calcium, magnesium, sperm count, and %motility than the non-diabetic controls. The Vitamin C + E group showed the greatest improvement as they had the highest values of seminal parameters compared to other supplemented groups.Conclusion: Combined Vitamin C + E supplementation may provide better ameliorative benefits than a combination of Vitamin C, E, calcium and magnesium in diabetics.

Infertility, a disorder of the reproductive system, is commonly linked to hormonal, pituitary, cervical, uterine, immunological or psychological factors. Besides these factors, it can also be idiopathic or unexplained. Hence, there is a need for more research to unravel the causes of the unexplained infertility. This work aimed at finding out whether there is any relationship between ABO blood group system and female infertility. The study design was cross-sectional. Three hundred women between 18 and 40 years attending fertility clinic at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar between 2011 and 2012 were recruited for this study. Serum progesterone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and estradiol were determined using Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) while ABO blood grouping was determined using the tube method. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 18. The confidence level was set at 95% where p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean age of the women was 30.65 ± 5.47 years and the percentage distributions of the blood groups among the women were as follows: 24% A, 12% B, 4% AB and 60% O. The mean FSH levels of blood groups A and O individuals were significantly higher (p0.05) in the mean levels of progesterone, prolactin, LH and estradiol in the respective groups. From this study, 38% of the population had increased levels of progesterone, 58% and 18.7% had elevated prolactin and FSH levels respectively while 11.33% and 43.3% had reduced levels of LH and estradiol levels respectively. Though, there was high prevalence of hyperprolactinemia observed in this study, there was no strong association between ABO blood group and female infertility but, the increased FSH levels observed in blood groups A and O may be a potential link between blood group and infertility and therefore may be beneficial for further study.

Cigarette smoke contains noxious substances associated with alteration in thyroid gland function and bone metabolism in smokers. Serum cotinine, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating Hormone (TSH), calcium, phosphate and vitamin D levels were estimated in 100 smokers and 50 non-smokers. The smokers were classified into light and moderate smokers based on smoking pack-years. Serum cotinine, T3, T4 and TSH were determined using ELISA, calcium and phosphate by colorimetric methods and Vitamin D by HPLC. Statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance, Students t-test and Pearsons correlation. The level of significance was set at p< 0.05. The mean diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.002), cotinine (p = 0.0001), T4 (p = 0.014) was significantly higher in smokers compared to non smokers. While vitamin D was significantly lower (p = 0.0001) in smokers compared to non smokers. There was however no significant difference (p [J Med Allied Sci 2018; 8(1.000): 7-12]

Purpose Cardiovascular disease risk factors have been associated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in white and Hispanic populations. It is therefore relevant to determine if there exists a relationship between these parameters in the African population. Patients and Methods The design of the study was cross sectional. Prostate-specific antigen concentration, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, glucose level, and insulin level were determined in 153 patients with prostate cancer and 80 controls. The patients with prostate cancer were divided into subgroups of treatment-naïve patients and those receiving ADT. Results Mean total cholesterol ( P = .010), LDL cholesterol ( P = .021), BMI ( P = .001), and waist circumference ( P = .029) values were significantly higher in patients treated with ADT when compared with treatment-naïve patients. In patients treated with ADT for up to 1 year, only mean BMI was significantly higher than in treatment-naïve patients, whereas those treated with ADT for more than 1 year had significantly higher mean BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol values when compared with treatment-naïve patients. There were no significant differences in insulin or glucose levels. Those undergoing hormone manipulation after orchiectomy had fewer cardiovascular risk factors compared with those undergoing hormone manipulation alone. Conclusion This study shows that ADT results in elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, BMI, and waist circumference values, all of which are risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors should be included in treatment plans for patients with prostate cancer.

Background: Hypertension is the most common cardiovascular disease afflicting humans. It has been reported that hypertensive patients may have a tendency for impaired thyroid function but, these results have not always been confirmed. The aim of this study therefore was to determine the serum level of thyroid hormones in hypertensive subjects and any possible relationship between serum thyroid hormone levels and hypertension. Methods: Blood samples were consecutively obtained from One hundred and seventy (170) consenting subjects. One hundred were hypertensive subjects while seventy subjects were normotensive controls. Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4) and Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were analyzed using ELISA kits. Data was analyzed using student “t” test and analysis of variance. The difference was considered statistically significant at p < 0.05. Results: The mean serum TSH value for hypertensive subjects was 3.01±2.42 µIu/ml and was significantly higher (p

Background: Congenital hypothyroidism is one of the most prevalent endocrine disorders in the newborn; early diagnosis and treatment have resulted in normal growth and development in nearly all cases. Data on congenital hypothyroidism in Nigeria is limited, hence, this study aims at establishing the baseline values and prevalence of congenital hypothyroidism as a prelude to a screening centre in our locality. Methods: Cord blood samples were consecutively obtained from two hundred and eighty nine neonates born in the Delivery ward of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH). 152 (52.8%) of the neonates were males and 137 (47.2%) were females. Nineteen were preterm and 270 were full term. Triiodothyronine (T3), Thyroxine (T4) and Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were analyzed using ELISA kits. Data was analyzed using student “t” test and Pearson correlation coefficient. The difference was considered statistically significant at p 0.05). Triiodothyronine (T3) was undetectable in 75.8% of the neonates and very low in 24.2%. Twelve (4.2%) of the neonates had TSH levels >40µIU/ml with a mean TSH of 61.7±14.7 µIU/ml and a mean T4 of 7.7±3.7µg/dl. Conclusions: About 4.2% of neonates are at risk of congenital hypothyroidism with High TSH and low T4 values, T3 values are undetectable or very low in late prenatal life.

Prolonged or repeated exposure to cement dust, depending on the duration, level of exposure and individual sensitivity has health implications on the skin, eyes, respiratory and haematological systems. This study assessed cardiovascular disease risk factors and cardiac markers among cement workers of Nigerian origin to determine the effects of duration of exposure to cement dust on these parameters. Troponin I, Creatine kinase MB (CK-MB), anthropometric indices, lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were determined in 50 cement workers and 40 controls. The cement workers were sub-grouped based on their duration of exposure. Significance level for statistical analyses was set at P < 0.05. The mean total cholesterol (P < 0.0001), HDL-cholesterol (P = 0.030), LDL-cholesterol (P = 0.004), VLDL-cholesterol (P < 0.0001), Triglycerides (P < 0.0001), troponin (P < 0.0001), CK-MB (P = 0.001) and AIP (P = 0.004) values were significantly higher in cement workers when compared with controls. There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in FPG levels and the anthropometric indices measured. Cement workers with duration of exposure > 8years had higher mean values of FPG, CK-MB, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol. This study has shown that lipid profile, troponin and CK-MB levels are significantly higher in cement workers compared to controls. Cement workers may be at a greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Context: Oxidative stress, vitamin, and macroelement deficiencies have been implicated in male infertility. It is unknown if diabetes mellitus with its attendant increased oxidative stress makes the seminal quality of the diabetic infertile men worse compared to their nondiabetic counterparts. Aims: The study investigated semen parameters, seminal plasma calcium, magnesium, Vitamins C and E, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in diabetic and nondiabetic infertile men. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study involving 30 infertile men with type 2 diabetes, 30 infertile nondiabetic men and 30 fertile men. Subjects and Methods: Fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin, seminal plasma calcium, magnesium, TAC, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, semen analysis, and cultures carried out using the standard procedures. Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed by the analysis of variance and Student's t-test; the level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Both infertile groups had significantly lower (P < 0.0001) sperm count, percentage motility, TAC, Vitamin E and C, magnesium and calcium when compared to the fertile group. However, there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) in the mean values of these parameters among the two infertile groups. The infertile men had a significantly higher (P = 0.034) frequency of bacterial isolates compared to the fertile men. Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent organism isolated. Conclusions: Seminal calcium, magnesium, TAC, and Vitamin E and C were lower in both infertile diabetic and nondiabetic men as compared to that of fertile men, but the levels of these analytes were comparable in the infertile diabetic and nondiabetic men.

Background: Collection of data concerning men's health generally and urological health particularly has always had its challenges, especially in the African setting. Some of the difficulties stem from cultural factors that consider sensitive topics pertaining to men's health as taboo. Aim: To determine how to overcome barriers in conducting a transatlantic prostate cancer familial study in Africans. Methods: After the first phase of the TRANSATLANTIC PROSTATE CANCER FAMILIAL PROJECT STUDY, a survey was carried out among the data collectors and principal investigators using Qualtrix software to collect qualitative feedback on the study. The data from the survey was analyzed using SPSS version 18. Results: Presently, 625 people are enrolled for the study and more are waiting to be recruited in the next phase. About 73% of the participants requested a home or office visit rather than visit a data collection center. On the average, the questionnaire required an average of two hours of personal interview rather than the one hour that had been envisaged. However the participants declared that participant incentives were well worth it. 80% of the participants had no preference for interviewer gender. 80% of the interviewers agreed that answers to questions about participants' sexuality were most difficult to obtain but with an in-depth explanation of the importance of the study and assurance of privacy, the answers were obtained. About 46% of the participants requested that their results be typed and given to them personally, 21% requested results be sent as to them as text messages while 26% requested general results of the study be made available to them in form of booklets, flyers and orally in town hall meetings. Conclusion: The TRANSATLANTIC PROSTATE CANCER FAMILIAL PROJECT STUDY survey questionnaire is a very workable tool that has a high acceptance rate among participants. The best practice for engaging the community for research include community mobilization through sensitization visits and one-on-one talks, use of community 'gatekeepers', introduction by relatives, assurance of privacy of health data obtained, the use of incentives and a promise to give feedback on the results of the study both on a personal and community level.

Background: Smoking is an extremely lethal act and is associated with many illnesses. Lately, major concerns that passive smokers face the same health risks if not higher as active smokers have been raised. Some studies have shown that active smoking is associated with low levels of vitamins and testosterone. Are these facts also valid in passive smokers? Aim: The aim of this research was to estimate the levels of cotinine, testosterone, follicle stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, vitamin E and catalase and compare these parameters in male active and passive smokers. Methods: Serum levels of cotinine, testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin and vitamin E and catalase were estimated in 60 cigarette smokers, 60 passive smokers and 60 nonsmokers recruited from Calabar metropolis. The hormones were assayed using ELISA and vitamin E using HPLC. Sociodemographic and anthropometric indices were obtained and data analyzed using PAWstatistic 18. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Results: Cotinine levels were significantly ( P = 0.0001) higher in active smokers than in passive smokers and controls. Vitamin E and testosterone was significantly lower in active ( P = 0.003 and P = 0.0001) and passive smokers ( P = 0.0001 and P = 0.0001) when compared with nonsmokers. The mean catalase level of active smokers only was significantly ( P = 0.043) lower than that of the controls. The FSH of the active smokers were significantly higher ( P = 0.034) than those of the controls while the passive smokers had the highest LH values ( P = 0.0001). However, there were no significant variations in the prolactin levels among the three groups. About 3% of the active smokers had testosterone levels less than 3 ng/mL (hypogonadic) but none of the passive smokers or controls had testosterone levels less than 3 ng/mL. Conclusion: Passive and active smoking depletes vitamins E and lowers testosterone levels. This may be a contributing factor to male infertility both groups of smokers.

Background: There is an increasing but controversial evidence that smoking is associated with metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome has recently attracted much attention due to increasing knowledge of its relationship with cardiovascular mortality and morbidity and other associated problems. Aim: This study assessed the biomarkers and frequency of metabolic syndrome as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), International Diabetes Foundation (IDF) and the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III (NCEP-ATP III) in adult male smokers. Methods: One hundred and forty one (141) apparently healthy male cigarette smokers and sixty (60) apparently healthy nonsmokers aged 18 to 45 years were recruited for the study. The smokers were subdivided into light (< 8 pack years), moderate (8-30 pack years) and heavy (> 30 pack years) smokers. Body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference, waist-hip ratio, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG) and high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) were estimated using colorimetric test methods while low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL-C) were calculated using the Friedewald's equation. Serum insulin was estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Insulin resistance was calculated using homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Data were analyzed using Student's t-test and analysis of variance; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The smokers had significantly higher diastolic BP ( P = 0.0001), TC ( P = 0.008) and LDL-C ( P = 0.0001) and significantly lower HDL-C ( P = 0.0001) compared with the controls. There were no significant differences in the other parameters. Fasting blood sugar was significantly higher in the light smokers ( P = 0.001) than in the moderate and heavy smokers whereas, serum TC and LDL-C levels were significantly higher in heavy smokers ( P = 0.001) than in the light and moderate smokers. There were no significant variations in the other parameters among the groups. The percentage of smokers with metabolic syndrome was significantly higher than nonsmokers using the IDF ( P = 0.022) and NCEP-ATP III ( P = 0.032) criteria with dyslipidaemia being the most prevalent metabolic abnormality. Conclusion: The unfavorable changes in the lipid profile and blood pressure observed in this study may predispose smokers to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and there is a higher frequency of metabolic syndrome among smokers in Calabar compared with the nonsmokers.