Iya Eze Bassey

Thyroid Hormones and Prolactin Levels in Infertile Women in Southern Nigeria

INTRODUCTION Human infertility is a complex global health problem. It has multiple social consequences which are especially profound for thyroid hormones in infertility with the aim of determining the degree of association of thyroid hormones with hyperprolactinemia in our population. MATERIALS AND METHODS The serum levels of prolactin, T3, T4 and TSH were determined in 90 hyperprolactinemic infertile women, 90 normoprolactinemic infertile women and 50 fertile women. The hormones were assayed using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay kits. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Analysis of variance and Pearsons correlation were used to analyze the data, with the significant p-level set at 0.05. RESULTS A significantly higher mean serum prolactin and TSH were observed among the infertile groups compared to the fertile controls (p<0.05). The mean serum T3 and T4 were significantly lower in the hyperprolactinemic infertile women compared to the fertile controls (p<0.05). The mean TSH and T3 of normoprolactinemic infertile women and controls were comparable (p>0.05). However, the mean T4 was significantly lower in normoprolactinemic infertile women compared to the fertile controls (p<0.05). In all the groups, TSH correlated inversely with T3 and T4, while T3 correlated positively with T4. It was only in the control group that prolactin correlated positively and significantly with TSH. CONCLUSION It is therefore concluded that hyperprolactinemia with thyroid dysfunction may be a major contributory hormonal factor in infertility among infertile women and as such, estimation of prolactin, T3, T4 and TSH should be included in the workup for infertile women especially those with hyperprolactinaemia.

Passive Smoking Has the Same Negative Effects on Reproductive Hormones in Adult Males as Active Smoking

Background: Smoking is an extremely lethal act and is associated with many illnesses. Lately, major concerns that passive smokers face the same health risks if not higher as active smokers have been raised. Some studies have shown that active smoking is associated with low levels of vitamins and testosterone. Are these facts also valid in passive smokers? Aim: The aim of this research was to estimate the levels of cotinine, testosterone, follicle stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin, vitamin E and catalase and compare these parameters in male active and passive smokers. Methods: Serum levels of cotinine, testosterone, FSH, LH, prolactin and vitamin E and catalase were estimated in 60 cigarette smokers, 60 passive smokers and 60 nonsmokers recruited from Calabar metropolis. The hormones were assayed using ELISA and vitamin E using HPLC. Sociodemographic and anthropometric indices were obtained and data analyzed using PAWstatistic 18. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. Resul...

Spectrophotometry, Physiochemical Properties, and Histological Staining Potential of Aqueous and Ethanol Extracts of Beetroot on Various Tissues of an Albino Rat

Background and Aims: Natural dyes and pigments are nontoxic, ecofriendly alternatives to synthetic counterparts and beetroot is one such natural dye. The red color of beetroot derived from betalain pigments confers great advantage to this plant. In this study, the physiochemical and spectrophotometric characteristics of beetroot as well as the histological staining potential of various tissues were carried out to determine its tissue specificity. Methods: The aqueous and ethanol extracts of beetroot were prepared using distilled water and 95% ethanol, respectively. Spectrophotometry, pH, and concentration of both extracts were determined before histological staining with 10% neutral-buffered formalin-fixed, paraffin-wax-embedded tissue sections. Stained sections were viewed with a photomicroscope. Results: The aqueous and ethanol extracts of beetroot were slightly acidic and soluble at concentrations of 381.5 mg/100 g and 253.7 mg/100 g fresh beetroot sample, respectively. Both extracts consist of three betalain pigments with absorbances at different spectrophotometric wavelengths, namely betaxanthins (475 nm), betanin (525 nm), and betanidin (575 nm). The maximum absorbance was 0.925 and 0.615 for the aqueous and ethanol extracts, respectively, at a peak wavelength of 525 nm for each extract. Both extracts stained various tissue structures such as muscles, mucins, red blood cells, keratin, and nerve fibers. Conclusion: Thus, beetroot stain is slightly acidic, contains betalain pigments, stains basic histological tissue structures, and can be used as an ecofriendly alternative to hematoxylin and eosin.

Effect of Androgen Deprivation Therapy on Indices of Glycaemia and Insulin Resistance in Native African Prostate Cancer Patients

Background: Hyperglycemia and insulin resistance have been associated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in Caucasian populations. It is therefore relevant to determine this also holds true in a native African population. Methods and Findings: The design of the study was cross sectional, 153 prostate cancer patients and 80 controls were recruited. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), insulin and glucose were determined using ELISA and colorimetric methods. Homeostasis assessment model for insulin resistance (HOMA IR) and HOMA2 IR were calculated. The prostate cancer patients were sub-grouped into treatment-naive prostate cancer cases and those on androgen deprivation therapy. Statistical analysis was carried out using Analysis of variance and least significant difference, p 0.05) in the mean insulin, glucose, HOMA IR and HOMA2 IR among the treatment-naive prostate cancer patients and prostate cancer patients on treatment and controls. In addition, there were no significant variations (p>0.05) in these parameters among patients treated with different types and durations of ADT. There was no significant correlation (p>0.05) between PSA and insulin, glucose, HOMA IR and groups HOMA2 IR in any of the groups. Conclusion: Androgen deprivation therapy does not result in elevated blood glucose, insulin and insulin resistance in native African men.

Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors: How Relevant in African Men With Prostate Cancer Receiving Androgen-Deprivation Therapy?

Purpose Cardiovascular disease risk factors have been associated with androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) in white and Hispanic populations. It is therefore relevant to determine if there exists a relationship between these parameters in the African population. Patients and Methods The design of the study was cross sectional. Prostate-specific antigen concentration, waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), lipid profile, glucose level, and insulin level were determined in 153 patients with prostate cancer and 80 controls. The patients with prostate cancer were divided into subgroups of treatment-naïve patients and those receiving ADT. Results Mean total cholesterol (P = .010), LDL cholesterol (P = .021), BMI (P = .001), and waist circumference (P = .029) values were significantly higher in patients treated with ADT when compared with treatment-naïve patients. In patients treated with ADT for up to 1 year, only mean BMI was significantly higher than in treatment-naïve patients, whereas those treated with ADT for more than 1 year had significantly higher mean BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol values when compared with treatment-naïve patients. There were no significant differences in insulin or glucose levels. Those undergoing hormone manipulation after orchiectomy had fewer cardiovascular risk factors compared with those undergoing hormone manipulation alone. Conclusion This study shows that ADT results in elevated total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, BMI, and waist circumference values, all of which are risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Screening for cardiovascular risk factors should be included in treatment plans for patients with prostate cancer.

Reply to M. Dhanushkodi

We thankDhanushkodi sincerely for his questions regarding our study, “Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors:HowRelevant inAfricanMenwithProstate Cancer Receiving Androgen-Deprivation Therapy?” In our facility, the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist used is goserelin. The dose administered is 3.6 mg every 28 days subcutaneously until the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level is 0 ng/mL. Then the patient is given a drug holiday and put under observation. Treatment is restarted if relapse occurs. The treatment-naı̈ve groups were younger than the treatedpatients,whichwouldbeexpected, because the treated patients have had the disease for longer. There was no difference in the ages of those who underwent orchiectomy and those on hormonal manipulation.

Clinical significance of glycated hemoglobin testing in obese subjects attending a tertiary hospital at Calabar, Nigeria

Background: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) has been suggested to be a reliable alternative to fasting plasma glucose in diagnosing hyperglycemia and monitoring glycemic control especially in individuals with type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Obesity has been largely incriminated to be a major risk factor for T2DM. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI), anthropometric measurements and glycated hemoglobin (HBA1c) in obese subjects attending the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective comparative study that which compared the levels of glycated hemoglobin in 70 obese and 30 nonobese control participants. Whole blood HbA1c was quantified using kits from Pointe scientific Inc. USA. The method was controlled and validated using Pointe™ control reagents from the manufacturer. Results: The mean HbA1c, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), waist circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio for obese participants were; 6.13 ± 2.76%, 128.14 ± 12.65 mmHg, 88.56 ± 11.87 mmHg, 106.90 ± 13.52 and 0.87 ± 0.072, respectively. These values were significantly higher than those of the nonobese control subjects with HbA1c, SBP and DBP of 5.34 ± 1.15, 114.00 ± 7.24 mmHg and 88.56 ± 11.87 mmHg (P < 0.05). A significant mean difference was observed between all the classes of obesity (Class I-III) and the control in all the parameters. A positive correlation between BMI, anthropometric measurements and HbA1c was observed in obese participants (r = 0.341 P < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings from this study indicated that obese individuals have higher risk of developing T2DM if appropriate interventions are not considered. Glycated hemoglobin may be used as a reliable, feasible, and fairly accurate tool for screening and assessing blood glycemic control in obese subjects who are at risk of developing T2DM.