The sonographic umbilical cord coiling in late second trimester of gestation and perinatal outcomes

Background: This study was conducted to determine whether or not the umbilical cord coiling index (UCI) during the late second trimester of gestation is associated with perinatal outcomes.Methods: This was a retrospective study of 251 pregnancies in which a fetal anatomic survey with a recorded UCI was performed at 22-28 weeks gestation. The subjects were divided into normocoiled, hypocoiled, and hypercoiled groups and compared perinatal outcomes.Results: Two hundred twenty-six patients were included. The incidence of preterm deliveries in hypocoiled group was 35%, which was significantly greater than the normocoiled groups (p=0.041). The incidence of neonates with low birth weights in the hypocoiled group was 36.4%, which was significantly greater than the normocoiled groups (p=0.044). In the hypocoiled group, 27.3% of newborns were admitted to the NICU which was significantly greater than the normocoiled and hypercoiled groups (p=0.041). After the adjustment by logistic regression analysis, only preterm delivery were significantly increased in hypocoiled group (OR=9.6, 95% CI=2.09-44.07).Conclusion: The hyporcoiling of the umbilical cord during the late second trimester of pregnancy suggest that the risk for preterm delivery is high, consequently the delivery of low birthweight neonates is high, and the admission to the neonatal intensive care unit is increased.     

多普勒测定孕妇左心室舒张功能与年龄、心率及胎龄变化的关系

目的运用多普勒及组织多普勒技术测定正常孕妇左心室舒张功能变化,探讨孕妇年龄、胎龄、心率与心功能的关系,为孕产妇早期心功能判断提供帮助。方法选取2009年4月至2010年4月产前检查704例孕妇,年龄19~41岁,平均年龄26.43岁。对所有孕妇进行超声心动图检查,常规检测各项数据,然后分别测定二尖瓣血流频谱及二尖瓣环部组织多普勒频谱。分析孕妇不同年龄、心率及胎龄与左心室舒张功能不全的关系。结果出现血流多普勒异常43例(6.1%),组织多普勒异常152例(21.6%)。随年龄增长、胎龄增长及心率增快,组织多普勒和血流多普勒异常也增多,并且组织多普勒改变比血流多普勒更加明显。结论孕妇怀孕的生理过程相当于心脏功能的负荷试验,使正常衰老过程或病理状态下才出现的舒张功能改变提早出现。并且与孕妇的年龄、胎龄、心率增加有关,这种负荷试验出现的心脏舒张功能异常改变,对孕妇分娩时心功能估计及产后心脏情况评价有积极意义。     

小于胎龄儿大鼠胰岛素抵抗与ghrelin水平的关系

目的 观察小于胎龄儿(SGA)大鼠胰岛素敏感指数和ghrelin水平的变化及相关关系;探讨ghrelin在SGA导致胰岛素抵抗过程中的作用和意义.方法 采用SD大鼠母鼠妊娠期饥饿法建立SGA大鼠模型,按生后第4周身长和(或)体质量的差异分为有生长追赶组(S1组,n=26)、无生长追赶组(S2组,n=31);以自由饮水及自由进食母鼠娩出之雄性鼠仔为正常对照组(C组,n=27).各组大鼠4周龄时测定体质量及血ghrelin水平,12周龄测定体质量及血ghrelin、空腹血糖、空腹胰岛素并计算胰岛素敏感指数,分析各指标之间的相关性.结果 12周龄SGA大鼠胰岛素敏感指数较C组下降(S1组:2.00±0.58,S2组:2.23±0.58比C组:3.17±0.54,均P＜0.05);血ghrelin水平较C组下降,但差异无统计学意义[S1组:(1.357±0.548)μg/L,S2组:(1.428±0.714)μg/L比C组:(1.843±0.459)μg/L,均P＞0.05].12周龄大鼠血ghrelin水平与空腹血胰岛素水平呈负相关(r=-0.836,P＜0.01),而与胰岛素敏感指数呈正相关(r=0.810,P＜0.01).结论 成年SGA大鼠血ghrelin水平降低与胰岛素抵抗有关,低ghrelin水平可能是胰岛素抵抗的结果.     

不同月龄人脐带间充质干细胞移植梗死心肌的血运重建

背景：干细胞移植有利于心肌梗死后的心肌血运重建及改善心功能,HLA-G分子在免疫耐受状态的形成及维持中具有重要作用。 目的：观察不同月龄有HLA-G表达差异的人脐带间充质干细胞移植后对急性心肌梗死兔血运重建的影响。 方法：健康新西兰大白兔30只,随机数字表法分为小月龄细胞移植组、足月龄细胞移植组及对照组。建立兔心肌梗死模型后2周,将小月龄人脐带间充质干细胞和足月人脐带间充质干细胞分别标记BrdU,多点注射心肌梗死的交界区和中心区,对照组注射无血清培养基。 结果与结论：移植后4周,小月龄和足月龄细胞移植组在心肌梗死区均发现有BrdU示踪细胞,且两组梗死区心肌纤维化程度、心肌梗死面积均少于对照组(P < 0.01),两移植组间差异也有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。Ⅷ因子染色见小月龄细胞移植组毛细血管密度高于足月龄细胞移植组(P < 0.01),且两移植组与对照组比较差异也有显著性意义(P < 0.05)。提示HLA-G表达量较高的小月龄脐带间充质干细胞能更好促进梗死区血管新生,改善血运重建,有潜力成为心肌细胞移植的更理想来源。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程全文链接：     

Seroprevalence of cytomegalovirus among pregnant women attending Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano,Nigeria

Background

Primary Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection during pregnancy is a frequent and serious threat to the fetus. As there is no vaccine alternative measures are needed to prevent congenital CMV infection.

Objective

This study determined CMV Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody among pregnant women in order to ascertain the immune status of mothers to guide policy makers.

Methods

A semi-structured questionnaire was initially administered to obtain information on demographic details, stage of pregnancy and risk factors. Blood was collected by venipuncture from 180 women attending the antenatal clinic in Murtala Mohammed Specialist Hospital Kano, Kano State, Nigeria. Sera samples were screened using CMV IgG ELISA kit (Dialab, Austria).

Results

Out of 180 pregnant women, 164 (91.1%) were seropositive. Based on stages of pregnancy 6/6(100%), 52/60(86.7%) and 106/114(93.0%) were seropositive among women in the first, second and third trimesters respectively.

Conclusion

Seroprevalence of pregnant women to CMV Ig G is high, hence the need for CMV - IgM screening to know the extent of active infection. There is also need for public enlightenment on the methods of transmission, effective prevention and control strategies.     

Sonographic biometry of spleen among school age children in Nsukka,Southeast, Nigeria

Background

Normative value of spleen size among school age children is important for objective assessment of the spleen.

Objectives

This study was aimed at determining sonographically the normal limits of the spleen size according to age, sex, and somatometric parameters among school age children.

Methods

A cross sectional study was done on 947 apparently healthy subjects (496 boys and 451 girls) aged 6 – 17 years. The subjects were recruited from some primary and secondary schools within Nsukka metropolis and also from out patients in the study centre. A pilot study was done to determine the intra- and inter rater reliability of sonographic measurements of the spleen. The sonographic examination was performed on Shenzhen DP-1100 machine with 3.5 and 5 MHz convex transducers. Spleen sizes were obtained with the subject in a right lateral decubitus position.

Results

Measurement of spleen length was reliable while measurement of spleen width was less reliable within and between sonographers. Dimensions of the spleen were not statistically different in boys and girls (p > 0.05). Height correlated best with spleen dimensions.

Conclusions

Normogram of the spleen size with respect to height is important in the determination of some pathology associated with changes in its size.     

妊娠前体质指数和胎次对妊娠糖尿病发病的影响

目的：探讨妊娠前体质指数(body mass index,BMI)、胎次与妊娠糖尿病(gestational diabetes mellitus,GDM)发病的关系,并探讨其对妊娠糖尿病(GDM)发病的影响。方法：本研究选择我院2014年2月至2014年12月接受孕产期检查、临床资料完整的且患有妊娠糖尿病的孕妇262名,对其采取葡萄糖耐量实验(OGTT实验),按照WTO标准,对262例足月妊娠初产妇女在孕24~28周常规进行75 g口服糖耐量试验,并完整记录年龄、孕周、文化程度、妊娠前体质指数及胎次等临床资料。根据妊娠前体质指数(BMI)将孕妇分为BMI分为4组,BMI<18.5 kg/m2者为偏瘦组,BMI 18.5~23.0 kg/m2者为正常体质量组,BMI 23.1~25.0 kg/m2者为超重组,BMI>25.0 kg/m2为肥胖组,采用SPSS l8.0统计软件对资料进行描述性分析、两样本t检验、非条件Logistic回归分析两组孕妇妊娠前体质指数(BMI)、胎次与妊娠糖尿病的关系。结果：4组OGTT结果显示妊娠前超重或肥胖的孕妇发生妊娠糖尿病的风险高于正常和偏瘦体质量组;非条件logistic回归分析结果表明,影响GDM的因素依次为：胎次、体质指数、年龄、文化程度,各影响因素回归系数分别为：2.372、     

Clinical and pathological umbilical cord abnormalities in fetal thrombotic vasculopathy

Although inherited fetal coagulation disorders may lead to fetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) in occasional cases, several studies have failed to show a significant association between these 2 entities. This study tests the hypothesis that vascular stasis related to chronic umbilical cord obstruction might be a contributing factor. The study population consisted of 125 neurologically impaired term infants who were the focus of clinical negligence litigation. FTV, as defined by an average of >15 villi per slide exhibiting either a complete lack of blood vessels or villous stromal karyorrhexis, was found in the placentas of 23 cases. Clinical umbilical cord entanglement (ie, true knots or cord loops around the neck or body parts at delivery) was significantly more common in cases with FTV (61% vs 24% in cases without FTV; P = 0.0009). Potentially obstructive pathological abnormalities of the umbilical cord (marginal/ membranous insertion, decreased Wharton's jelly, maximum cord diameter <8 mm, or hypercoiling) were also more frequent in this group (30% vs 9% without FTV; P = 0.0055). Overall, 16 of 23 placentas with FTV had either clinical or pathological cord abnormalities. This study, with careful documentation of cord status at delivery and on the delivered placenta, is the first to report that clinical cord entanglement and pathological cord abnormalities are significantly increased in placentas with FTV.     

小于胎龄儿大鼠胰岛素抵抗与ghrelin水平的关系

Objective To observe the change of insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and ghrelin level, to examine their correlation and to explore the role and significance of ghrelin in insulin resistance (IR) in small for gestational age (SGA) rats. Methods The SGA models were established by starvation method in pregnant SD rats. Experimental rats were grouped by body length and/or body weight 4 weeks after birth.Experiment grouping: ( 1 )SGA group with growth catch-up (Group S 1, n=26 ); (2)SGA group without growth catch-up (Group S2, n=31 ); (3)Normal control group was composed by male rats whose mothers ate and drank freely during pregnancy (Group C, n=27). Body weight and serum ghrelin level was checked 4 weeks after birth. Body weight, serum ghrelin, fasting blood glucose and fasting insulin were tested when the rats were 12 weeks old, and then ISI was calculated. Correlation of all the indexes was analyzed. Results The ISI of 12-week-old SGA rats was significantly decreased as compared to normal control (Group S1:2.00± 0.58, Group S2:2.23±0.58 vs Group C: 3.17±0.54, both P＜0.05). Serum ghrelin level of SGA rats was decreased compared with Group C, but the disparity was not statistically significant [Group S1: (1.357± 0.548) μg/L, Group S2: (1.428±0.714) μg/L vs Group C: (1.843±0.459) μg/L,both P＞0.05 ]. Ghrelin level in 12-week-old rats presented negative correlation with fasting insulin level in blood(r=-0.836,P＜0.01 ), and positive correlation with ISI (r=0.810, P＜0.01). Conclusion The decrease of serum ghrelin level is correlated with IR in adult SGA rats. Low serum level of ghrelin may be the result of IR.     

小于胎龄儿脐血脂联素水平测定及其临床意义

目的探讨小于胎龄儿（SGA）脐血脂联素（APN）水平变化及其对新生儿的影响。方法研究对象为SGA和适于胎龄儿（AGA）各30例。采用放射免疫分析法测定脐血和产妇血脂联素水平。用免疫比浊法测定三酰甘油（TG）,总胆固醇（TCH）,低密度脂蛋白胆固醇（LDL-C）,高密度脂蛋白胆固醇（HDL-c）水平。并分析脐血脂联素水平与母血脂联素,体质量指数（IBM）,胎盘重量和血脂水平的相关性。结果1.SGA脐血脂联素水平低于AGA差异有显著性（P〈0.01）;SGA血TG,TCH,LDL-c,HDL-c水平与AGA比较差异均无显著性（P〉0.05）。2.SGA血清脂联素水平与新生儿身长,新生儿体质量指数BMI,胎盘重量,脐血TG呈显著正相关（r=0.386,0.431,0.365,0.231,P〈0.05）,与母血脂联素水平,孕前和分娩时产妇IBM无相关性（P〉0.05）。结论小于胎龄儿具有较低血清脂联素水平,测定脐血脂联素水平有助于判断SGA的发展趋势。     

大于胎龄儿脐血脂联素水平测定及其临床意义研究

目的探讨血脂联素水平与大于胎龄儿发生的关系。方法研究对象为大于胎龄儿和适于胎龄儿各30例。应用酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定脐血和产妇血脂联素浓度,用免疫比浊法测定甘油三酯(TG)、总胆固醇(TCH)、低密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(LDL-c)、高密度脂蛋白-胆固醇(HDL-c)的水平;并分析脐血脂联素水平与母血脂联素、新生儿性别、出生体重、体重指数、胎盘重量和血脂水平的相关性。结果①大于胎龄儿脐血浆脂联素水平低于适于胎龄儿,差异有非常显著性(P<0.01=;大于胎龄儿血TG、TCH、LDL-c、HDL-c的水平与适于胎龄儿比较差异均无显著性(P>0.05)。②大于胎龄儿血浆脂联素水平与新生儿出生体重、BM I、胎盘重量、脐血TG水平均呈显著负相关(r分别=-0.848、-0.785、-0.835,P均<0.001=,与母血脂联素水平、新生儿身长、孕前和分娩时产妇体重及其BM I、其它脐血脂成分无相关性(P>0.05)。母血脂联素水平与上述因素无相关性(P>0.05)③大于胎龄儿男婴和女婴脐血浆脂联素、血脂各成分水平比较差异均无显著性(P>0.05)。结论血脂联素水平的变化与大于胎龄儿的发生有关,测定脐血脂联素水平有助于判断大于胎龄儿的发展趋势,为早期预防糖尿病、心血管疾病等多种肥胖相关性疾病的发生开拓新的思路。     

脐血间充质干细胞的分离鉴定及其向脂肪和成骨的分化

目的分离鉴定脐血(UCB)中的间充质样干细胞(MLSC),探索其向脂肪和成骨分化的可行性。方法用羟乙基淀粉沉淀法分离脐血有核细胞,利用细胞贴壁生长特性分离纯化脐血间充质样干细胞;流式细胞仪检测其表面标志;多种成分联合诱导其向脂肪、成骨方向分化,细胞化学染色检测诱导后的细胞变化。结果培养得到一组间充质样干细胞,不表达造血细胞的标志(CD34/CD45/CD14)及内皮细胞的标志CD106,强表达间充质细胞的标志CD29、CD44和CD13,在适当的诱导条件下可向脂肪及成骨方向分化。结论脐血中含有间充质样干细胞,表达间充质干细胞的表面标记,并可以向脂肪、成骨方向分化,因此可以作为组织工程的种子细胞。     

新生儿胼胝体大小及形状与胎龄的相关性研究

目的　通过高场MRI检测不同胎龄新生儿出生时胼胝体的面积、偏心率及斜率,为早期评价和改善脑发育提供参考。 方法　从沧州市人民医院提取符合研究条件的新生儿头颅高场MRI图像286例,勾画胼胝体后使用MATLAB R2010a中的图像处理函数进行测量,得到胼胝体面积、偏心率及斜率并作统计学分析。 结果　胼胝体面积与胎龄的相关系数为0.61（P＜0.001）,最适曲线为二次曲线Y=0.132X2-6.179X+141.759,决定系数为0.37（P＜0.001）;偏心率与胎龄的相关系数为0.25（P＜0.001）,最适曲线为直线方程Y=0.009X+0.319,决定系数为0.07（P＜0.001）;后部斜率与胎龄的相关系数为0.27（P＜0.001）,最适曲线为直线方程Y=0.005X+0.349,决定系数为0.07（P＜0.001）。 结论　新生儿胎龄愈小,胼胝体愈小且愈圆。     

Patterns of serologic markers of hepatitis B virus infection and the risk of transmission among pregnant women in southwestern Nigeria

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major health concern in developing countries that has a high morbidity and mortality rate. Vertical transmission of HBV from mother to child has been identified as a major factor leading to chronicity with attendant liver conditions, especially in poor socioeconomic settings. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of serological HBV markers among pregnant women in Ibadan southwestern Nigeria and to determine the implications for perinatal HBV transmission. This study revealed the presence of varied HBV serological patterns of infection or immunity among pregnant women in Ibadan, Nigeria, and thus the risk of mother to child transmission.     

Relationship between religiosity,religious coping and socio-demographic variables among out-patients with depression or diabetes mellitus in Enugu,Nigeria

BackgroundReligion is a powerful coping strategy. Diabetes and depression are common conditions in our environment that induce psychological distress, thus requiring coping for better outcome. Studies indicate that increased religiosity is associated with better outcome in clinical and general populations. Therefore, studies of the distribution of religiosity and religious coping among these populations are essential to improve outcome.ObjectivesTo assess the association between religiosity, religious coping in depression and diabetes mellitus, and selected sociodemographic variables (age, gender and occupational status).MethodsUsing simple random sampling we recruited 112 participants with diabetes and an equal number with depression consecutively, matching for gender. Religiosity was determined using religious orientation scale (revised), religious coping with brief religious coping scale and socio-demographic variables with a socio-demographic questionnaire.ResultsIntrinsic religiosity was greater among older people with depression than among older people with diabetes(t=5.02,p<0.001); no significant difference among young people with depression and diabetes(t=1.47,p=0.15).Positive religious coping was greater among older people with depression than among older people with diabetes(t=2.31,p=0.02); no difference among young people with depression and diabetes(t=0.80,p=0.43). Females with depression had higher intrinsic religiosity scores than males with depression(t=3.85,p<0.001); no difference in intrinsic religiosity between females and males with diabetes(t=0.99,p=0.32).Positive religious coping was greater among participants with diabetes in the low occupational status(t=2.96,p<0.001) than those in the high occupational status.ConclusionReligion is indeed a reliable coping method, most commonly used by the elderly and females with depression. Positive religious coping is more common among diabetic patients who are in the low occupational status.     

无生长追赶SGA幼鼠生长激素和胰岛素受体后信号交联对话的研究

目的：在生长激素（GH）和胰岛素（INS）共享受体后PI3K通路基础上探讨无生长追赶的出生低体重（NCU-SGA）幼鼠GH和INS抵抗的受体后机制，以及2者受体后信号通路的交联对话（cross-talk）。方法:取4周龄NCU-SGA雄性大鼠，采用Western印记及免疫共沉淀技术分别测定NCU-SGA幼鼠在基础状态下、胰岛素激发以及先给予GH受体后信号通路JAK2阻滞剂AG490后再行胰岛素激发后（AG490+INS组）肝组织胰岛素受体底物-1（IRS-1）及其下游信号磷酸化Akt(p-Akt)的表达。结果:（1）IRS-1信号表达： SGA鼠基础状态、INS激发后和AG490+INS组，3组间的IRS-1总蛋白及IRS-1磷酸化水平与正常对照组（C组）无显著差异（P＞0.05）。（2）p-Akt信号表达： C组基础状态时无p-Akt信号表达，INS刺激后表达明显增强。SGA鼠基础状态时p-Akt已有显著表达（慢性激活），INS刺激后表达较基础状态增加，但增殖显著低于正常对照组（P＜0.01）；AG490+INS组的p-Akt较JAK2未被阻断时明显增强（P＜0.01），但仍显著低于正常对照组（P＜0.01)，提示GH的信号干扰了INS受体后IRS-1至Akt的信号转导。结论:NCU-SGA幼鼠INS抵抗的发生与IRS-1-Akt通路受损有关，GH抵抗经GH和INS 2者受体后信号通路间的交联对话（cross-talk）使IRS-1至Akt间的信号转导解偶联,诱导和加重了INS抵抗；而PI3K-Akt可能是发生该解偶联的主要交汇点。     

人脐带间充质干细胞的分离鉴定及多向诱导分化

背景：脐带间充质干细胞取材方便、无创,不受伦理学限制,比一般干细胞原始,免疫原性小,其应用前景广阔,是一种理想的种子细胞。 目的：分离鉴定脐带间充质干细胞,并诱导其向成骨细胞和成脂细胞分化。 方法：组织块贴壁法分离纯化脐带间充质干细胞,取对数生长期的第3代细胞,观察细胞形态、生长方式;流式细胞仪检测干细胞表型CD90、CD105、CD34和CD45的表达情况,并在体外检测能否将其诱导分化为成脂细胞及成骨细胞。 结果与结论：用组织块法成功分离培养出脐带间充质干细胞,流式细胞学鉴定显示细胞强表达CD90和CD105,不表达CD34和CD45;能在体外将其成功诱导为脂肪细胞和成骨细胞。结果显示组织块贴壁法能够从人脐带中分离出间充质干细胞,该细胞可向成脂细胞及成骨细胞分化。中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：干细胞;骨髓干细胞;造血干细胞;脂肪干细胞;肿瘤干细胞;胚胎干细胞;脐带脐血干细胞;干细胞诱导;干细胞分化;组织工程全文链接：     

脐带间充质干细胞移植对脊髓损伤小鼠运动功能的修复和镇痛作用

目的：探讨人脐带间充质干细胞（ hUC-MSCs）移植缓解脊髓损伤神经病理性痛,并促进功能恢复的效果及 其与脊髓损伤小鼠胶质细胞活化及炎症因子水平的调控关系。方法：建立ICR 小鼠脊髓损伤模型,同时构建慢病毒 载体介导绿色荧光蛋白（ GFP）标记体外培养的 hUC-MSCs ;将模型小鼠分为模型组和治疗组,治疗组于脊髓损 伤1 周后采用局部注射 hUC-MSCs 移植到脊髓中,每周进行运动功能（ BBB）评分及机械性痛觉过敏检测,持续8 周后行组织学评价与炎症因子检测。结果：治疗组脊髓组织中 GFP 荧光有表达。BBB检测结果显示,治疗组和模 型组小鼠随时间延长运动功能均逐渐恢复,其中治疗组运动功能恢复速度要显著快于模型组;机械触诱发痛检测显 示,小鼠脊髓损伤后痛阈值降低,随着时间延长痛阈值逐渐升高。同一个时间点治疗组的痛阈值显著高于模型组。 与模型组相比,治疗组小鼠脊髓组织的白细胞介素-6（ IL-6）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（ TNF-α）表达下降,胶质细胞源 性神经营养因子（ GDNF）表达升高,同时脊髓组织巨噬细胞激活抗原1（ ED1/CD68） 荧光表达显著降低。结论： 脊髓损伤小鼠中hUC-MSCs 移植可能通过降低炎症因子 IL-6 和TNF-α 的分泌,提高 GDNF 的表达水平来促进受损 脊髓组织的修复,并发挥镇痛效应。     

Atherogenic index of plasma as useful predictor of cardiovascular risk among postmenopausal women in Enugu, Nigeria

Background

Menopausal health in our environment has received little attention. As an independent risk factor for dyslipidaemia, the degree and pattern of derangement, though difficult to assess may adversely affect the cardiovascular health of our women.

Objectives

To estimate the serum lipid profile and the atherogenic index of plasma in normal post menopausal women.

Methods

This is a cross sectional study involving 80 apparently healthy women voluntarily recruited from staff of the University of Nigeria and the Teaching Hospital (UNTH) located in Enugu. They include 50 postmenopausal subjects aged between 50 and 70 years and 30 premenopausal controls aged between 25 and 49 years. Total cholesterol (TC), and the various subfractions; high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) were determined. Atherogenic index of plasma (AIP); log (TG/HDL-C) was calculated.

Results

There were statistically significant increases (P< 0.0001) in TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C and AIP but a statistically significant decrease (P<0.0001) in HDL-C in postmenopausal women when compared with the premenopausal subjects. Except HDL-C that showed insignificant reduction, there were statistically significant derangement of other lipid subfractions as the duration of menopause increased.

Conclusion

Menopause, no doubt alters lipid profile. A triglyceride based index (AIP) can significantly add value when assessing the risk of developing atherosclerosis in Nigeria.