Serum Levels of Micronutrients, Magnesium, and Markers of Immunity (CD4+ ) in Antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected Individuals: Relationships and Predictors.

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS may lead to micronutrient deficiencies and low CD4+ count. OBJECTIVES: We assessed the correlation of CD4+ count in antiretroviral-naïve patients with the serum levels of micronutrients as measures of the relationship between immunity and nutrition/malnutrition. METHODS: A case-control study of ninety consecutive newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients and ninety blood donors. Blood collected from controls and patients before HAART treatment were assayed for serum zinc, selenium, copper, manganese, and magnesium. RESULTS: The participants had non-significantly lower zinc (14.25±2.93µmol/l versus 14.58±3.69µmol/l, p=0.493), significantly lower selenium (0.38±0.08µmol/l versus 0.78±0.22µmol/l, p<0.001), manganese (7.06±0.87µmol/l versus 11.23±3.27µmol/l, p<0.001), and magnesium (1.02±0.21mmol/l versus 1.21±0.28mmol/l, p<0.001) when compared with the controls. The mean copper level was similar in both groups (18.88±3.1µmol/l and 18.82±5.12µmol/l, p=0.921). There was no correlation between the micronutrients and CD4+ count; however, there were strong positive correlations between the levels of zinc and copper, selenium, magnesium; copper and magnesium (p<0.001 respectively). Multivariate regression showed that all micronutrients were independent predictors of one another (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: HIV/AIDS results in serum micronutrient depletion with strong positive correlations between their levels; all micronutrients were independent predictors of one another. This significant positive relationships between the micronutrients, and magnesium; and all other micronutrients being independent predictors of each other signifies a synergistic or supportive relationship between micronutrient deficiencies and HIV/AIDS disease morbidity and progression. Serum micronutrients may not be qualified as direct markers or surrogates for CD4+ count in antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected patients.

Free radical attack on membrane lipid and antioxidant vitamins in the course of pre-eclamptic pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Despite the volume of knowledge and daily reports on pre-eclampsia, its pathogenesis is still yet to be ascertained. Oxidative stress (oxidant (free radical) in excess of antioxidant) injury is one of the recently suggested pathogenetic mechanisms. This study, however, was designed to determine second and third trimesters of plasma malondialdehyde (product of free radical attack on membrane lipid) and vitamins C and E in pre-eclamptic Nigerian women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A Total of 100 subjects, each for pre-eclamptic, apparently normal and non-pregnant women qualified for the study. Venous blood samples were taken in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy and at the point of contact for non-pregnant women. Variables were analyzed using SPSS version 16, taking level of significance to be 0.05. RESULTS: Plasma malondialdehyde in the third trimester of normal pregnancy (2.03±0.71µmol/l) was found to be significantly higher than the one in the second trimester (1.65±0.62µmol/l) (p<0.0001). For pre-eclamptic subjects, the malondialdehyde in the third trimester (3.13±0.61µmol/l) was also higher than the malondialdehyde in the second trimester (3.00±1.21µmol/l). The mean vitamin C values for subjects with normal pregnancy were similar in the second and third trimesters (38.25±19.66 vs. 38.66±19.40; p=0.882). For subjects with pre-eclampsia, the mean Vit C values were also similar in the 2(nd) and 3(rd) trimesters (35.05±18.37 vs. 37.20±24.44µmol/l; p=0.175). Mean vitamin E values in the second and third trimesters were also similar for subjects with normal pregnancy (28.62±13.85 vs. 28.50±13.35µmol/l; p=0.950). A similar finding was observed in pre-eclamptic subjects (25.09±12.79 vs. 28.00±14.83µmol/l; p=0.067). CONCLUSION: There was an increased product of membrane lipid attack (malondialdehyde) with no change in plasma levels of vitamins C and E as pregnancy advances into the third trimester of both normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Antioxidant vitamins may not be useful in stopping the progression of free radical attack on membrane lipid to control pre-eclampsia.

Biochemical parameters of liver function in artisans occupationally exposed to "vat dyes".

BACKGROUND: Vat dyes are the class of dyes used in textile dyeing in Abeokuta, South Western Nigeria. While some dyes (including vat dyes intermediates) have been associated with adverse effects on manufacturer's health, there is paucity of data on effects of occupational exposure to vat dyes among end users, such as those involved in textile dyeing and finishing. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To investigate the possible effect of occupational exposure to vat dyes on the functions of the liver. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using convenience sampling technique, a cohort of dye workers (n=117) with a minimum of one year and a maximum of 60 years duration of exposure (mean =17.03 ± 1.19 years) were recruited in this study. Sixty traders, matched for age and sex and who had no previous exposure to vat dyes were selected as controls. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on demographic, occupational and environmental characteristics of the subjects. Plasma activities of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin and total bilirubin were measured using standard spectrophotometric methods. STATISTICAL ANALYSES: SPSS version 11.0 was used for statistical analyses. Tests of significance were carried out using Student's t test, and correlation co-efficient. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The activity of ALP and the concentrations of total protein and albumin were significantly lower (P <0.05) in the exposed group. ALT and AST activities were significantly higher (P <0.05) in the exposed group. Occupational exposure to vat dyes may result in sub-clinical adverse effects on the liver, involving inhibition of its synthetic function.