Serum levels of adiponectin, resistin and tumour necrosis factor-alpha in Nigerian men with nuchal fat fold.

Background: Factors necessitating the propensity of adults with upper body fat deposition (UBFD) for developing insulin resistance and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are poorly understood. Therefore, understanding the roles of adipocytokines in the development of UBFD-associated pathologies could be of clinical importance.

Aim: To assess the levels of selected adipocytokines in males with nuchal fat fold (NFF).

Beta-cell Function and Metabolic Clearance Rate of Glucose in Patients with Major Mental Health Disorders on Antipsychotic Drug Treatment.

Background: Insulin resistance and metabolic alteration continue to be essential features of major mental health disorders (MMHD) with poorly understood and multifaceted mechanisms. This study was carried out to provide information on insulin resistance, beta-cell function, metabolic clearance rate of glucose and their possible interplay with duration of antipsychotic use in patients with major mental health disorders.

Methodology: Plasma levels of glucose and insulin were determined in 124 patients with MMHD after an overnight fast and at 30 and 120 min of standard Oral Glucose Tolerance Test.

Insulin Sensitivity, Inflammation, and Basal Metabolic Rate in Adults with Sickle Cell Anemia.

Background: Chronic inflammation and elevated basal metabolic rate (BMR) are established features of sickle-cell anemia (SCA). However, there is little information on the possible impacts of these afore-mentioned features on glycemia and insulin sensitivity status of this group of people.

Aim: This study aims to determine the insulin sensitivity status as well the effect of BMR on glycemia in adults with SCA in steady state.

Vitamin D Levels in Different Severity Groups of Schizophrenia.

Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) continues to be associated with schizophrenia, but there is the dearth of information on the relationship between the severity of schizophrenia and plasma levels of vitamin D. This study, therefore, determined the plasma levels of vitamin D in different severity groups of schizophrenia.

Materials And Methods: Plasma level of vitamin D was determined in 60 patients with schizophrenia and 30 apparently healthy individuals who served as controls.

Thyroid function in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis patients with or without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection before commencement of MDR-TB drug regimen.

Background: Mycobacterium tuberculosis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are known to cause abnormal thyroid function. There is little information on whether HIV infection aggravates alteration of thyroid function in patients with MDR-TB.

Objectives: This study was carried out to determine if HIV co-infection alters serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3, T4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in patients with MDR-TB patients and to find out the frequency of subclinical thyroid dysfunction before the commencement of MDR-TB therapy.

Male Sexual Dysfunction, Leptin, Pituitary and Gonadal Hormones in Nigerian Males with Metabolic Syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Background: Pituitary and gonadal dysfunctions resulting from increased adiposity leading to disturbances of sexual and reproductive functions have been reported in males with metabolic syndrome (MS) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). The aim of this study was to evaluate sexual dysfunction, leptin, and reproductive hormones in Nigerian males with MS and DM2.

Methods: Participants were 104 men (34 males with DM2, 17 men with MS and 53 men with normal body mass index (18.

Serum copeptin and pregnancy outcome in preeclampsia.

Background: A number of biochemical predictors of preeclampsia have been reported, but little is known about their possible relationship with maternal and fetal outcomes. This study determined serum copeptin in pregnant women with preeclampsia and assessed its relationship with pregnancy outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Thirty women with severe preeclampsia (SP), 30 with mild preeclampsia (MP), and 30 with uncomplicated pregnancy were enrolled into this study.

Defective lipid metabolism in sickle cell anaemia subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis.

Background: Abnormal lipid homeostasis has been reported in sickle cell anaemia (SCA) as well as in other haematological disorders. However, there is little information on the lipid profile of SCA subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC). This study determined the lipid profile of adult SCA subjects in VOC and in steady state (SSCA).

Serum copeptin and cortisol do not accurately predict sickle cell anaemia vaso-occlusive crisis as C-reactive protein.

Objective: This study assessed the diagnostic performance and prognostic properties of C-reactive protein (CRP), copeptin and cortisol in individuals with sickle cell anaemia (SCA).

Design: Prospective case-control study.

Methods: Sixty consecutive SCA subjects (18-40 years) comprising 30 subjects in the steady state and 30 subjects in vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) were recruited into this study.