RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: The effect of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) on the immune system is well documented however; its impact on the nutritional and immunological qualities of the breast milk is scarce. AIM: Levels of some essential trace metals, albumin and antioxidant status in the plasma and breast milk of Nigerian HIV-infected lactating mothers were determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Essential trace metals and total antioxidant potential were measured using spectrophotometric method while albumin was measured using single radial immunodiffusion technique. RESULTS: Only the mean plasma level of albumin in HIV infected lactating mothers (HIM) was significantly reduced when compared with HIV free lactating mothers (HFM) [9.39 (4.46) g/L vs 26.18 (18.43) g/L, P=0.000], others had no significant difference. The mean breast milk levels of total antioxidant potential (1776.82(564.26) µmolTE/L vs. 2384.67 (679.00) µmolTE/L, P = 0.0000), Cu [67.68 (5.04) µg/dL vs. 71.10 (5.45) µg/dL, P = 0.033] and Fe [66.21 (6.31) µg/dL vs. 71.20 (6.48) µg/dL, P = 0.011] were significantly reduced in HIM compared with HFM. No significant differences were observed in other parameters. CONCLUSION: It could be concluded from this study that hypoalbuminemia is a feature of HIV-infected lactating mothers and that breast milk of HIM has low antioxidant capacity.
RESUMEN
AIM: To determine the levels of salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian smokers and non-smokers with periodontitis. METHODS: Sixty-nine individuals were recruited into this study after obtaining informed consent. They were subdivided into three groups that consisted of 20 (aged 46 ± 11 years) cigarette smokers with periodontitis (S+P); 24 (40 ± 12 years) smokers without periodontitis (S-P); and 25 (53 ± 11 years) non-smokers with periodontitis (NS+P). An oral and maxillofacial surgeon used radiographs for periodontal probing for the diagnosis of periodontitis. The smokers included subjects who smoked at least six cigarettes per day and all the periodontitis patients were newly diagnosed. About 5 mL of unstimulated saliva was expectorated by each subject into plain sample bottles. Salivary immunoglobulin levels were estimated using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Student's t test was used to determine significant differences between the means. Values of P < 0.05 were regarded as significant. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the mean salivary levels of the immunoglobulin classes (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE) when S+P was compared with S-P. Mean salivary levels of IgA (520.0 ± 155.1 ng/mL vs 670.0 ± 110 ng/mL, P = 0.000) and IgM (644.5 ± 160.0 ng/mL vs 791.4 ± 43.7 ng/mL, P = 0.000) were significantly lower in the S+P compared with NS+P group. Salivary IgA (570.4 ± 145.6 ng/mL vs 670.0 ± 110 ng/mL, P = 0.008) and IgM (703.1 ± 169.3 ng/mL vs 791.4 ± 43.7 ng/mL, P = 0.012) levels were significantly lower in the S-P compared with NS+P group. Only one (5%) periodontal patient had detectable levels of salivary IgE (0.20 IU/mL). Similarly, only one smoker (4.17%) had detectable levels of salivary IgE (0.04 IU/mL) and two non-smokers (9.52%) had detectable levels of IgE (0.24 IU/mL). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that reduced salivary IgA and IgM levels in smokers with periodontitis could enhance increased susceptibility to periodontitis.
