Butyrylcholinesterase activity in women with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy: correlation with antioxidant activity.

A total of: 25 women with gestational diabetes, 25 with type 2 diabetes, 21 with healthy pregnancies and 15 non-pregnant healthy controls were investigated to evaluate the relationship between butyrylcholinesterase activity and antioxidant status in the serum and placenta of diabetic pregnant women. Levels of antioxidant activities were estimated by Randox Kits and malondialdehyde and butyrylcholinesterase by colorimetric methods. Butyrylcholinesterase activity was elevated in the serum and placenta in normal pregnancy vs diabetic cohorts (p < 0.01) and there was a higher activity level in gestational and type 2 diabetes on insulin (p < 0.05) compared with diet controlled. There was higher malondialdehyde and lower antioxidant activity in diet vs insulin controlled diabetes (p < 0.01). Serum and placental butyrylcholinesterase activity showed a strong inverse correlation with malondialdehyde (r = -0.876, p < 0.001) and (r = 0.542, p < 0.01), but strong positive correlation with total antioxidant activity in serum (r = 0.764, p < 0.001) and placenta (r = 0.642, p < 0.01). Butyrylcholinesterase may therefore, be involved in reducing oxidative stress in diabetic pregnancy.

Factors contributing to gender differences in serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol in infertile couples.

Oxidative stress is detrimental to fertility potential. Retinol and alpha-tocopherol are natural antioxidants that inhibit lipid peroxidation and protect against cell damage induced by oxidative stress. This study evaluated whether gender-related differences in antioxidant status exist among couples with infertility and, if so, to evaluate relevant factors that may contribute to such differences. Retinol and alpha-tocopherol in the sera of 40 couples and in the semen of 40 men were measured using high performance liquid chromatography. Serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol in women were significantly higher than in men (both P < 0.001). There was an inverse relationship between body mass index and serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol in both men and women. Heavy smokers (>or=20 cigarettes/day), compared with nonsmokers, had lower serum concentrations of retinol and alpha-tocopherol. Serum concentrations of retinol and alpha-tocopherol in men with normal sperm parameters were significantly higher than in those with oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia (both P < 0.001). Lower serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol in men compared with their female partners could be related to their older age, higher body mass index and smoking habits. Low concentrations of these natural antioxidants were associated with abnormal semen parameters in men and anovulation in women.

Prostate cancer risk: the significance of differences in age related changes in serum conjugated and unconjugated steroid hormone concentrations between Arab and Caucasian men.

INTRODUCTION: Factors responsible for the low incidence of clinical prostate cancer (3-8/100,000 men/year) in the Arab population remain unclear, but may be related to changes in steroid hormone metabolism. We compared the levels of serum conjugated and unconjugated steroids between Arab and Caucasian populations, to determine if these can provide a rational explanation for differences in incidence of prostate cancer between the two populations. PATIENTS/METHOD: Venous blood samples were obtained from 329 unselected apparently healthy indigenous Arab men (Kuwaitis and Omanis) aged 15-80 years. Samples were also obtained from similar Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The samples were taken between 8:00 am and 12:00 noon. Serum levels of total testosterone, (TT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free androgen index (FAI); adrenal C19-steroids, dehydroepiandrosterone sulphate (DHEAS) and androstenedione (ADT) were determined using Immulite kits (Diagnostic Systems Laboratories Inc, Webster Texas, USA). The results obtained in Arab men were compared with those reported for similarly aged Chinese, German and White USA men. RESULTS: In all four ethnic groups, median TT and FAI declined with age, while SHBG increased with age. However, the mean TT and SHBG was significantly lower (p < 0.01) and the FAI significantly higher in Arab men (p < 0.01) compared to German men only in 21-30 years age group. In the other age groups the levels of TT and SHBG were higher in the Germans but the differences were not statistically significant. In all the racial groups serum levels of DHEAS and ADT reached a peak by about 20 years of life, and then declined progressively. The mean DHEAS in American Caucasians aged 20-29 years was 11.4 micromol/l compared to 6.22 micromol/l in the Arabs (p < 0.001). The mean DHEAS in USA Caucasians aged 70-79 years was 2.5 micromol/l compared to 1.8 micromol/l (p < 0.03) in the Arabs. There was no significant difference in mean serum levels of DHEAS between German and USA men. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the level of the hormones between Arab and Chinese men. Arab men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer had high serum TT, SHBG and DHEAS compared to those without the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The mean TT and SHBG was significantly lower in Arab men compared to Caucasian men especially in early adulthood. Caucasians have significantly higher serum levels of the precursor androgens DHEAS and ADT especially in early adulthood compared to Arab men. These observations of low circulating androgens and their adrenal precursors in Arab men may partially account for the decreased risk for prostate cancer among Arab men.

Nitric oxide production is not altered in preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia remains a disease of theories as the real aetiology has remained elusive. Altered nitric oxide production has been associated with preeclampsia although conflicting results showing elevation, decrease or no change in nitric oxide levels have emerged from previous studies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to measure the serum levels of nitrate and nitrite in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Venous blood was extracted from 39 normal pregnant women (control) and 34 women with preeclampsia (study group). Serum concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were determined using the HPLC method. Other special investigations including renal function tests were performed. The patients were managed according to protocol and the outcome of the pregnancies evaluated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in the mean maternal age and gestational age at delivery between the groups. However the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the study group (150.5 mmHg and 98.8 mmHg) were significantly higher than the levels in the control group, (110.86 and 85.5), p<0.0001. There was no significant difference in the mean serum nitrate levels (19.157+/-13.407 vs. 19.189+/-16.805) p=0.993. The fetal and maternal outcomes were comparable. CONCLUSION: Our study has demonstrated that there was no alteration in nitric oxide production in preeclampsia, thus contributing to the existing unresolved role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Further research is called for.

Significance of simultaneous determination of serum and seminal plasma alpha-tocopherol and retinol in infertile men by high-performance liquid chromatography.

High-performance liquid chromatography was used for the simultaneous determination of alpha-tocopherol and retinol in serum and semen of 40 subfertile men. The serum levels of the two vitamins were significantly higher in serum than in semen (3- to 10-fold) (P < 0.001). The mean alpha-tocopherol levels were higher in the serum and semen of men with normal sperm parameters (20 +/- 5 and 5 +/- 4 mumol L-1) than those with oligozoospermia (10 +/- 4 and 3 +/- 2 mumol L-1), azoospermia (8 +/- 3 and 3 +/- 1 mumol L-1) and asthenozoospermia (9 +/- 6 and 3 +/- 2 mumol L-1) (P < 0.002). Mean retinol levels in serum were similar in men with normal sperm parameters (2.4 +/- 2 mumol L-1) as in those with defective sperm parameters such as oligozoospermia (2.5 +/- 2 mumol L-) and asthenozoospermia (2.1 +/- 1.0 mumol L-) (P = 0.15), but significantly lower in men with azoospermia (1.3 +/- 0.3 mumol L-1) (P < 0.05). The alpha-tocopherol:retinol ratio was significantly higher in semen than in serum of men with normal sperm parameters (11.5) and those with asthenozoospermia (10.3) compared with ratios in those with oligozoospermia (8.3) and azoospermia (6.3). This may be related to reduced antioxidant activity in sperm dysfunction as a result of lipid peroxidation, from increased generation of reactive oxygen species.

Effect of saline and glucose infusions of oxytocin on neonatal bilirubin levels.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the effect of isotonic saline and glucose infusions of oxytocin on neonatal bilirubin levels. METHOD: Eighty-two parturient Nigerian women requiring oxytocin infusion in labor were randomized into two groups receiving 0.9% saline or 5% glucose, respectively. A group of 82 women not requiring oxytocin were recruited for comparison. All had sodium and bilirubin estimations in cord plasma and neonatal bilirubin assay on Day 3. RESULT: Analysis of variance revealed higher mean cord and neonatal bilirubin levels in the glucose group compared with the other two (P < 0.05). Significant inverse correlation was observed between cord plasma sodium and neonatal bilirubin levels in all groups. Hyperbilirubinemia occurred in 55% of babies in the glucose group compared with 21% and 22% in the saline and control groups, respectively (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of isotonic saline rather than 5% glucose solution as vehicle for oxytocin infusion in labor appears to be associated with lower neonatal bilirubin levels.

A pilot study on the assessment of a progesterone/estradiol sustained release as once-a-month-injectable contraceptive.

A pilot study to assess the use of natural hormones in macrocrystalline sustained release system was undertaken in normal menstruating women. Progesterone at a dose of 100 mg in combination with 5 mg estradiol-17 beta aqueous macrocrystalline suspension (3ml) of defined particle size range (100-250 microns) were administered to five female volunteers of reproductive age, on day 5 of their normal menstrual cycles and then every 28 days consecutively for the next two months. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from the women three times a week for 60 days after the third injection for the measurement of serum progesterone, estradiol-17 beta, LH and FSH. The menstrual bleeding patterns were closely monitored during the study period. The results obtained indicate that the exogenous hormone administration produces blood levels similar to those observed during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle. Follicular maturation as assessed by endogenous estradiol rise, above 150 pg/ml, occurred 29.7 days s.d. 6.4 after the injection. Ovulation as measured by progesterone levels above 5 ng/ml was documented 34.4 days s.d. 4.3 after the third injection. The bleeding patterns were regular though initially shorter but these increased progressively towards normal pattern during course of the study. The data suggest that progesterone/estradiol-17 beta combination administered as an aqueous macrocrystalline suspension is capable of producing sustained ovulation inhibition and could be applied in the design of new once-a-month injectable contraceptives.

Clinical, hormonal and biochemical features of menopausal women in Ibadan, Nigeria.

As a result of the general lack of information about the menopause in Nigeria this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of climacteric symptoms in a cohort of healthy perimenopausal women and also to evaluate the hormonal and biochemical profile of the subjects. Seventeen menopausal and 19 premenopausal women aged 40 years or more were interviewed and had venepuncture and collection of 24-h urine samples. Plasma from the blood samples was used for the assay of LH, FSH, progesterone, 17 beta-oestradiol, calcium and cholesterol while urinary calcium was determined from the 24-h urine samples. The data revealed a significant difference in the prevalence of the symptoms of vasomotor instability (hot flushes, palpitations and excessive sweating) among the menopausal group when compared with the premenopausal group. Furthermore, plasma gonadotrophin levels (LH and FSH) were significantly elevated while plasma oestradiol and progesterone levels were lower in the menopausal women than in the premenopausal group. With regards to the biochemical indices evaluated, only 24-h urinary calcium levels were found to be significantly different for the two groups, with higher levels in the menopausal women. The significance of these findings and the need for adequate screening and treatment of selected menopausal women are discussed.

Sequential hormone measurements after menstrual regulation in normal Nigerian women.

The objective of this study was to examine the dynamics of the pituitary hormones (LH, FSH and Prolactin) and Progesterone in normal adult Nigerian women during the first cycle after a menstrual regulation for delayed periods. Hence, eleven healthy volunteers aged between 19 and 35 years were recruited. All the subjects had consulted the Family Planning Clinic for menstrual regulation. Venepuncture was performed immediately before and every other day after the procedure until the onset of the first menstrual period. Serum from the samples were stored at -20 degrees C and later assayed for LH, FSH, Prolactin and Progesterone. The results showed that nine patients (82%) had a demonstrable LH peak whilst seven patients (64%) had a luteal phase serum progesterone in excess of 6 nmol/l. These criteria were used for the diagnosis of ovulation. The combination of two or three indices i.e. LH + FSH peak (64%) LH + Progesterone (64%) LH + FSH + Progesterone (55%) did not seem to confer any special advantages in terms of the diagnosis of ovulation. These results are considered as further evidence for the need to provide contraception in the first cycle after an abortion in women who do not wish to get pregnant immediately.