Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences

Apolipoprotein (A) Isoform Distribution and Plasma Lipoprotein (a) Levels In Nigerian Subjects With and Without Coronary Heart Disease

OA Osinubi

Plasma lipoprotein (a) Concentrations and apo(a) isoforms were determined in 101 healthy Nigerian subjects (M=63), F=38; age range 17-68 years), and coronary heart disease (CHD) patients (M=19, F=17, age range 30-79 years). Median Lp(a) level was 24.4 mg/di in the CHD patients and 22.1 mg/di in the controls. The iso forms S1, S, S and S4 were observed in both populations of CHD and controls. In the CHD group, a low molecular weight isoform (F) was also detected in a single heterozygous subject. No significant difference was observed between the distribution of the apo(a) isoforms in the controls and CHD subjects. Thus, Lp(a) levels or apo(a) isoform type may not be valuable predictors of CHD in the Nigerian population.

Key Words: Lp(a), apo(a) isoforms, CHD, Africans

[Jnl Medicine & Medical Sciences Vol.1(1) 1999: 1-5]

Bacteria Associated With Nosocomial Infection And Their Antimicrobial Resistance Pattern IN Paediatric Patients in A Tertiary Health Institution

CN Kesah

This paper sets to determine the Pathogens associated with nosocomial bacterial infections in children at a large teaching hospital and assess their antibiotic-resistance patterns. A total of 4,981 paediatric patients on admission in various paediatric wards at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) from 1994-1995 were prospectively studied from admission until discharge using CDC criteria, Antibiotic susceptibility was carried out by a disc diffusion technique.
The incidence of noscomial bacterial septicemia was 5.2% overall, 14,9% for ou-born babies, 4.7% inborn babies, 2.3% in the surgical wards and 1.9% in the general paediatric wards. Klebsiella pneumoniae (31%), Burkholderia cepacia(13.4%), Staphylococcus aureus (11.8%), Enterobacter cloacae (75) and coagulase-negative staphylococcei and enteroccoci, while they were also highly susceptible to Amoxycillen-clavulanic acid and Ampicilin-sulbactum but resistant to Erythromycin and chloramphenical. Cefoxitin, cefotaxime and ceftazidime were active on most gram-negative bacteria. All the isolates were resistant to gentamicin and cotrimoxazole. There is a need for a review of prevailing sepsis control measures at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital and continuous surveillance of antibiotic resistance in blood pathogens.

Key Words: Noscomial, Antibiotic resistance, Paediatrics

[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 6-13]

Relationship Between Calorie Restriction, Lipid Peroxidation, Gluthathione Peroxidase And Gluthathione In Aged Rats

II Olantunji-Belli

Glutathione peroxidase activity, lipid peroxidation and the glutathione system were assayed in the lungs, kidneys and brains of 18 month old rats (n=12), who had been on 60% of the caloric intake of the ad-libitum fed rats since 6 weeks of age and also in the control age group of rats (n=12) that were fed ad-libitum.
Lipid peroxidation was markedly lower in the plasma of the caloric restricted group from 16.23+1.53 nmol MDA/ml in the ad-libitum group to 10.34+0.78 nmol MDA/ml (p<0.002). Similarly lipid peroxidation was lower in the lungs (p<0.0001) and the brain (p<0.02) while it was higher in the kidney (p<0.0001) when compare3d with the ad-libitum fed rats.
The activity of glutathione peroxidase was higher in the lungs and brain of the caloric restricted rats by 44.4% (p<0.024) and 40% (p<0.36) respectively, whereas it was lower in the kidneys of the caloric restricted group by 38% (p<0.01) when compared to the ad-libitum fed rats.
Glutathione system assayed by measuring the total glutathione (tGHS) and GSSG/GSH% were computed. Total GSH, GSSG and GSH were significantly higher in the lungs while there was little difference in the GSSG/GSH% ratio. On the other hand, the tGSH, GSSG and GSH reduced in the kidney during caloric restriction and there was no difference in the GSSG/GSH% ratio between the two groups. In the brain of the caloric restricted rats, there was little or no change in the tGSH and GSH, although the GSSG and GSSG/GSH% ratio were increased significantly. These results suggest that aging of rats had been decelerated by caloric restriction due to the decrease in the peroxidative damage in the lungs and brain.

Key Words: Food Restriction, Lipid Peroxidation, Aging, Glutathione, Free Radicals

[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 14-19]

The Prevalence of High Blood Pressure In Ode-Remo, Ogun Sate, Nigeria

A Osibogun

A total of 496 subjects aged 18 years and above were screened for evaluated blood pressure and those with elevated blood pressures further screened for glycosuria in four community-based centres within Itun Iraye ward, Odo Remo Town. 6 (1.2%) of them were found clinically unsuitable thus leaving a total of 490 participants.
A standardised questionnaire was used to obtain information on personal characteristics such as age sex, life styles and habits such as smoking, exercise and salt consumption and family history of elevated blood pressure. The present report is mainly on the prevalence of elevated blood pressure in the community.
32% of respondents had systolic blood pressures equal to or greater than 140mmHg while 25.9% had diastolic blood pressures equal or greater than 90mmHg. Overall 181 (36.9%) of the respondents had blood pressures equal or greater than 140mmHg and/or Diastolic 90mmHg (ie either isolated or combined hyper-tensives).
This study demonstrated significant association between blood pressure and increasing age, While higher prevalence of elevated blood pressures were recorded for females than for males, only the Systolic pressure difference was statistically significant.

Key Words: Prevalence High Blood Pressure, Ogun State, Nigeria

[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 20-25]

Management Of Carcinoma Of The Bronchus By Radiotherapy In Lagos, Nigeria

KK Ketiku

The use of radiotherapy in the management of bronchial carcinoma was evaluated in 106 patients (mean age: 56.6 yrs, s. d. 9.10) with male:female ratio of 2:2.1 who presented at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital 1975 to 1995 with this disease. About two-thirds (61%) of the patients smoked heavily for many years. Cough and chest pain were the most common presenting symptoms with frequencies of 81.1% and 74.5% respectively. Tissue biopsy and cytology and chest radiograph accounted for 63.2% of the methods of diagnosis while the rest was based on clinical impression and chest radiograph.

All cases were advanced and therefore inoperable on presentation but 89% had good symptomatic control following radiotherapy. Less than 7% were alive at 1 year. Chemotherapy did not appear to influence prognosis and survival.

In view of the fact that patients tend to present late preventive measures such as control of tobacco use will be much more effective in reducing the prevalence of carcinoma of the bronchus.

Key Words: Carcinoma, Bronchus, Radiotherapy, Lagos

[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 26-30]

Effect Of Caffeine And Ethanol Consumption On the Metabolism Of 5-Hydroxy Tryptamine In Rats

OAT Ebuehi

The effect of caffeine and ethanol on the metabolism of 5-hydroxy tryptamine in the rat was investigated. Rats were divided into four groups and the first group was fed rat chow with water and an oral administration of 2ml of 1% caffeine.

The second group of rats was fed rat chow with 7% ethanol and the third group was fed rat chow with water and an oral administration of 2ml of 7% ethanol. The fourth group was fed rat chow water ad libitum for 28 days. The rats were sacrificed by decapitation after starving them overnight and their brains were quickly excised.

Protein tryptophan and 5-hydroxy tryptamine concentrations in the plasma and brain of rats were determined. The mitochondrial fraction of the brain tissues was isolated and the activity of monoamine oxidase determined.

Results indicate that cafeine and ethanol curtailed the plasma and brain concentrations of protein and tryptophan. In addition, caffeine consumption enhanced 5-hydroxy tryptamine levels in plasma and brain, while a decrease in 5-hydroxy tryptamine levels was found in acute and chronic ethanol-treated rats. Brain momoaimine oxidase activity was inhibited by both caffeine and ethanol in the rat. Our findings suggest that caffeine and ethanol consumption may be detrimental in the regulation of brain functions mediated by the serotoninergic neurotransmission.

[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 31-38]

Comparison of the Effects Of Two Exercise Protocols On Blood Flow

CB Aiyejunsule

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of pulsed electrical stimulation and voluntary exercise on blood flow in healthy subjects. 20 subjects (12 males, 8 females) the age range 20-30 (S.D=1.02) were randomly assigned into either of 2 groups consisting of 10 subjects. One group's (A) subjects were stimulated to produce 20 isometric contractions of the quadriceps femoris muscle per minute on a dynamometer (Midland) corresponding to 10% of their predetermined maximum voluntary contractile force (MVC) and for a total period of 5 minutes. Contractions were performed in supine position with the hip and knee flexed 45o and 90 o respectively.

The second group's (B) subjects were involved in similar contractions excluding electrical stimulation. The femoral pulse rate was measured periodically in both groups and employed in the statistical analysis of data as a correlate of blood flow.

The result indicates a significant increase in the blood flow during volutary contractions (t=2.04, p<0.05) but not in the electrical stimulation group. In addition there was a significant difference in the effects of both exercise protocols (t=3.4222, p<0.05).

Key Words: Electrical Stimulation, Isometric Exercise, Pulsr Rate

[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 39-43]

Prevalence Of Dental Abnormalities Among Handicapped Children in Lagos

FA Oredugba

Efforts to improve the quality of life of handicapped people are on the increase world wide, their oral health inclusive. Relevant data is required for adequate planning for this purpose.

A survey of 579 handicapped children was carried out in Lagos to assess the various dental abnormalities among them. Over 34% of them had various dental abnormalities, the most commonly encountered being enamel hypoplasia which constituted 12.3%, and more than half of which was chronologic (58.9%). This was predominant among the mentally handicapped (13.5%) and the blind (12.5%). Tetracyline staining was also a common finding particularly among the blind subjects (15.6%).

Spacing and crowding of the teeth were common in Angle's Class I malocclusion in all the handicap groups.

It was found that most of these abnormalities were linked to the cause of the handicaps or as a result of the handicaps.

Key Words: Dental Abnormalities, Handicapped Children, Lagos

[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 44-49]

Effects Of Quinghaosu Antimalaria Artemether On Blood Pressure, Heart Rate And Baroflex Sensitivity In Normotensive Rats

CN Anigbogu

The effects of Chronic administration of the new antimalaria drug artemether on cardiovascular function were investigated in albino Sprague-Dawley rats. One group of rats received 3.2mg/kg artemether (Therapeutic dose) and a second group received 18mg/kg of artemether while the control group received vehicle (refined corn oil) for 28 days. The animals were anaesthetized thereafter and cannulated for recording of blood pressure and testing of cardiovascular reflexes.

Results from the study showed that artemether had little or no effect on mean arterial pressure (MAP) both at the therapeutic and high doses compared to the controls (90.37+4.3 and 97.1+2.7mmHg respectively cf 88.35+2.6mmHg, NS). Heart rate (HR) did not change significantly in the artemether treated rats. However during bilateral carotid occlusion (BC)) the magnitude of the change in blood pressure (MAP) and heart rate (HR) were reduced in the group that received 18mg/kg artemether (41.55+2.1mmHg; p<0.05). The maximum change in heart rate (MAX,HR) was not different between the control rats and rats treated with artemether at 3.2mg/kg (18.1+1.6 beats/min cf 18.6+1.2 beats/min) while in rats treated withartemether 18mg/kg artemether MAX, HR was reduced to 9.77+0.77 beats/min (p<0.05).

Both therapeutic and high doses of artemether reduced the index of baroreflex sensitivity in this study. The results from this study suggest that whilst artemether may not have significant effect on resting cardiovascular function, it may interfere with ability of the cardiovascular system to respond to the challenges.

Key Words: Arthemether, Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Baroreflex sensitivity

[J. of Med. & Medical Sci. Vol.1(1) 1999: 50-54]