Ai Akinwande

Human Serum Protein-Bound iodine and Protein Fractions at Different Physiological and Narcotic States

Iodine profile of Nigerians at different ages in both sexes and in pregnant women, and under narcotic influence, such as alcoholism, cigarette smoking and marijuana addiction were studied. Their serum total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were also determined. Results of the study showed that serum protein bound iodine levels increased significantly with age in both sexes and in pregnant women, while it decreased significantly in alcoholics, cigarette smokers and marijuana addicts. Serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels increased with age in both sexes and in pregnant women, but were decreased significantly in alcoholics, cigarette smokers and marijuana addicts. Data of the study indicate that serum protein bound iodine levels were potentiated by age, sex and pregnancy, but were impaired by alcoholism, cigarette smoking and marijuana addiction. In addition, serum total protein, albumin and globulin levels were affected by age, sex, pregnancy, cigarette smoking and marijuana addiction. Alcoholism, cigarette smoking and marijuana addiction may have deleterious effects on thyroid function and protein synthesis. NQJHM Vol. 14 (3&4) 2004: pp. 257-261

Effect of Aqueous Extract of Alstonia Congensis on Glucose Transport and Na+-K+-ATPase Activity in the Everted and Non-Everted Guinea Pig Intestine and Erythrocyte Fragility

The seed of Alstonia congensis has been used as purgative by traditional doctors. It is not known if glucose transport and Na+-K+ ATPase activity are affected during the purging process. The effect of the plant on erythrocytes fragility is also not known. This study was designed to provide this information. The effect of aqueous extract (1:25w/v) of Alstonia congensis on the transportation of glucose ranging from 0.10 to 0.40M from normal and everted guinea pig intestinal strips into the surrounding 0.5M TrisEDTA saline buffer pH 8.2; on Na+-K+- ATPase activity and erythrocytes fragility were measured. Results showed that the aqueous extract reduced glucose transportation; inhibited Na+-k+-ATPase activity and specific activity at higher enzyme protein concentration and activated the enzyme activity and specific activity at lower enzyme protein concentration. Glucose transport reduction was linked to the effect of the extract on the Na+-k+-ATPase system. The extract also increased erythrocytes fragility. The active ingredient(s) in the extract is not known yet and research work is in progress to ascertain it. Keywords : Alstonia congensis , glucose transport, Na+-K+-ATPase activity Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 5-9

In vitro Heparin Precipitation in the Plasma of Euthyroid women with Recurrent Miscarriage and Unexplained Infertility

OBJECTIVE: Women with elevated Lp(a), who are susceptible to atherosclerosis, get to reduce, their cardiovascular disease by in-vivo administration of low dose heparin. And history of recurrent miscarriage associated with auto antibodies have had a high rate of life births in subsequent pregnancies when they were treated with low dose aspirin together with low dose heparin. An in-vitro assay thus provide basis for the intricate interaction. DESIGN: Two hundred and ten (210) healthy volunteered Euthyroid women were used for this study. They were aged between 21-35 years, 90 Women served as test groups and 120 women served as control. Antimicrosomal autoantibody (Anti-TPO) ELISA assay was determined. The plasma treatment at the different PH with heparin and aspirin in physiological buffers were carried out. RESULT: At PH5.0 (i.e. the Uterus physiological PH) using 100i.u/ml heparin in 0.2M acetate buffer yielded 70% precipitate compared to treatment with 250i.u/ml heparin in 0.2M buffer that yielded 40% precipitate while 100-i.u/ml heparin with 80mg aspirin treatment yielded 65% precipitate in the test group samples that were positive to Anti-TPO. Whereas in the 0.2ml acetate buffer alone (without heparin and aspirin) no precipitate was formed, compared to the precipitate formed with plasma of the control women yielding 15% using 100i.u/ml heparin ,5% with 250i.u/ml heparin and 12% 100-i.u/ml heparin with 80mg aspirin treatment respectively. At PH 4.6 (i.e blood physiological PH ) for the various treatment showed there were increases in percentage precipitate, more in the subjects than in the control groups. In the unexplained and spontaneous abortion, groups with the treatment of 100iu/ml Heparin in 0.2M acetate buffer gave highest precipitate compared to other treatment in in-vitro study. CONCLUSION: This study has further supported that Heparin in addition to its anticoagulant action, may act to reduce fetal loss by binding to antimicrosomal, (anti-phospholipids) antibodies, thereby protecting the trophoblast phospholipids attack, and thereby promote successful implantation in early pregnancy. . Keywords : Heparin, Immunogens, antimicrosomal antibodies, Infertility Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Science Vol. 6 (1) 2007: pp. 1-4