Serum levels of adiponectin, resistin and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in Nigerian men with nuchal fat fold.

BACKGROUND: Factors necessitating the propensity of adults with upper body fat deposition (UBFD) for developing insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are poorly understood. Therefore, understanding the roles of adipocytokines in the development of UBFD-associated pathologies could be of clinical importance. AIM: To assess the levels of selected adipocytokines in males with nuchal fat fold (NFF). METHODOLOGY: Eighty-six males (43 with NFF and 43 without NFF) were enrolled into this study. Serum levels of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), resistin and adiponectin were determined using ELISA. RESULTS: Adiponectin level was significantly higher while resistin and TNF-α levels were significantly lower in NFF compared with the controls. TNF-α had significant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure (SBP) while adiponectin had significant positive correlation with the waist-hip ratio (WHR). Stratifying based on the obesity status, the mean body weight, BMI, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), WHR, neck circumference (NC), NFF and diastolic BP were significantly higher in NFF with obesity compared with those without obesity. However, levels of TNF-α, resistin and adiponectin were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: NFF is associated with elevation in adiponectin level and increased CVD risk. NFF can therefore, serve as an index of early onset of cardiometabolic diseases.

Serum Levels of Cytokines and IgE in Helminth-Infected Nigerian Pregnant Women and Children.

BACKGROUND: Helminth infection is an important health challenge. Because of modulation of the immune response toward T-helper 2 (Th2) cells, the immunologic interplay that manifest during the coexistence of helminth infection with other conditions is still poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: This study determined the pattern of alteration in selected cytokines and immunoglobulin E (IgE) in pregnant women, preschool aged children, and school-aged children with helminth infection compared with uninfected groups. METHODS: Seventeen pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 60 school-aged children with helminth infection (HI) were recruited into this study. They were matched with 21 pregnant women, 42 preschool-aged children, and 50 school-aged children without helminth infection (HN) who served as controls. Venous blood samples were collected from each participant and analyzed for serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IgE. Statistical analysis was done using the Student t test, and P < .05 was considered as statistically significant. FINDINGS: Only serum level of IgE was significantly elevated in HI pregnant women compared with HN pregnant women. In HI preschool- and school-aged children, serum levels of IL-8, IL-6, and IgE were significantly elevated compared with HN children. However, preschool- and school-aged children with HI had similar levels of serum TNF-α and IL-10 compared with their corresponding HN groups. CONCLUSIONS: It could be concluded that altered cytokines expression in children and pregnant women with helminth infection might have some implications on need for deworming programs to improve pregnancy outcomes and vaccine responses.

Salivary immunoglobulin classes in Nigerian cigarette smokers: Indication for increased risk of oral diseases.

BACKGROUND: Cigarette smoking is a worldwide social epidemic and it is one of the main causes of preventable death and disability. Gingivitis, periodontitis, pocket depth, attachment loss, alveolar bone loss, and tooth loss are some of oral pathologies commonly found in cigarette smokers. The aim of this study was to explore, for the first time among Nigerians, the interplay between components of cigarette smoke and salivary levels of immunoglobulin classes so as to provide oral immunological based reasons for oral diseases in cigarette smokers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, 5 mL of unstimulated saliva was collected in plain sample bottles from 24 active smokers who smoke at least 6 sticks of cigarette per day and 21 sex and age-matched non-smokers who were apparently healthy. The samples were spun and supernatant stored at -20°C until assayed. The immunoglobulin levels of the samples were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Student's t-test (unpaired) was used to determine significant differences between the two groups. P values less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the mean salivary levels of IgG, IgA, and IgE. Only IgM was significantly lower in smokers compared with non-smokers (P = 0.038). The proportion of smokers with detectable level of salivary IgE was lower compared with controls. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that there is decreased salivary IgM in smokers. This observation suggests that reduced salivary immunoglobulin level of IgM might be involved in the pathogenesis of oral diseases in cigarette smokers.