Steatosis in South African women: How much and why?

Background: Globally, steatosis is the commonest type of liver pathology and is closely associated with obesity and the metabolic syndrome. Obesity is common in urban African females but no data is available on hepatic fat content in this population group when compared to other ethnic groups. The aim of this study was therefore to compare hepatic fat content in woman from different ethnic groups in South Africa and to characterise the principle determinants of liver fat.

Alpha-thalassaemia trait as a cause of unexplained microcytosis in a South African population.

Background: Red cell microcytosis is a common abnormality detected in a full blood count, which often prompts clinicians to investigate further for a cause. In the absence of iron deficiency and anaemia of chronic disease, the differential diagnosis includes β-thalassaemia trait and α-thalassaemia trait.

Methods: We investigated the contribution of α-thalassaemia trait in South African subjects with unexplained microcytosis.

The prevalence of the platelet glycoprotein IIIa Pl(A1/A2) polymorphism in three South African ethnic groups and its effect on platelet function.

Introduction: In South Africa coronary artery disease (CAD) is less common in African than Indian or white subjects. Although the association between CAD and metabolic factors have been well documented, the role of genetic factors is as yet poorly understood. Specific polymorphisms in the platelet membrane glycoprotein (GP) IIIa gene Pl(A1/A2), have been implicated in the development of CAD.

The influence of metabolic syndrome components on plasma PAI-1 concentrations is modified by the PAI-1 4G/5G genotype and ethnicity.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is less common in African than Indian or White subjects and elevated plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI)-1 levels may be a risk factor for CAD. Therefore, PAI-1 levels were measured in the three populations and related to the -675 PAI-1 4G/5G promoter genotype. PAI-1 levels and anthropometric variables were measured in 310 Indian, 269 White and 107 African subjects.