Metabolic syndrome (MS) amplifies hypertension (HTN) associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). MS components and other CVD risk measures were investigated in different stages of hypertension. 534 apparently healthy Nigerian traders aged 18–105 years were participants of a cohort study. The International Diabetes Federation (2005) and the National High Blood Pressure Education Program Coordinating Committee criteria were used for MS and HTN classifications, respectively. Anthropometric indices were obtained by standard methods. Levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) were determined by enzymatic methods, while low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) was calculated. Data analysed statistically were significant at P < 0.05. 143 (26.8%), 197 (36.9%), and 194 (36.3%) of the traders had normotension, pre-HTN and HTN (stages 1 and 2), respectively. All indices tested except HDLC were significantly different among BP groups (P < 0.05). Waist to hip (WHR) and waist to height (WHT) ratios were significantly different between HTN groups (P < 0.05). HTN was associated with MS and female gender (P < 0.05). Metabolic alterations and significant HTN were observed. Treatment of the individual components of the syndrome and improvement of modifiable metabolic factors may be necessary to reduce MS and high BP.

Metabolic Syndrome (MS), which affects 33.1% of Nigerians, predisposing them to cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk, has been associated with the female gender. The cardioprotective effect of oestradiol against CVD is now controversial and was investigated in premenopausal with MS (PRMMS) and postmenopausal women with MS (POMMS). A total of 191 women (44 PRMMS, 126 POMMS and 21 premenopausal women without MS (PRM) (controls) with mean (s.d) age of 40.0 (6.9), 57.0 (8.8), 29.0 (6.8) years were participants of this study. Demography, blood pressure (BP), anthropometry, hormones, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and lipids were obtained by standard methods. Data were significant at (P<.05). Age, parity, all anthropometric measures, FPG, leptin, ET ratio and FSH were significantly higher while HDLC, testosterone and prolactin were significantly lower in PRMMS compared with controls (P<.03). In comparison of POMMS with PRMMS, age, parity, WHR, systolic BP, TG, FSH and LH were significantly higher while body weight, HC, and leptin were lower in POMMS compared with PRMMS (P<.05). DBP positively predicted oestradiol in PRM only (P=.044) while oestradiol positively predicted testosterone in PRMMS only (P<.001). In POMMS only, DBP positively predicted testosterone; testosterone, ET ratio and FSH positively predicted oestradiol while LDLC and oestradiol positively predicted the ET ratio (P<.03). Metabolic syndrome may predispose both pre and postmenopausal women to the risk cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Oestradiol may protect against cardiovascular diseases in women without metabolic syndrome only.

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of a 12-month dietary modification on indices of inflammation and pro-thrombosis in adults with metabolic syndrome (MS). Materials and methods:This longitudinal study involved 252 adults with MS recruited from the Bodija market, Ibadan and its environs. Participants were placed on 20%, 30% and 50% calories obtained from protein, total fat and carbohydrate respectively and were followed up monthly for 12 months. Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured using standard methods. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1)], interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were measured using spectrophotometric methods and ELISA as appropriate. Data was analysed using ANCOVA, Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. P-values less than 0.05 were considered significant. Results: After 6 months of dietary modification, there was a significant reduction in waist circumference (WC), while the levels of HDL-C, fibrinogen and PAI-1 were significantly increased when compared with the corresponding baseline values. However, WC and fibrinogen reduced significantly, while HDL-C and IL-10 significantly increased after 12 months of dietary modification as compared with the respective baseline values. Conclusion: Long-term regular dietary modification may be beneficial in ameliorating inflammation and pro-thrombosis in metabolic syndrome. Sci. 2017;17(2): 453-462. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ahs.v17i2.20

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Introduction: Defective spermatogenesis and metabolic syndrome affect 2-4% and 12.4% of males respectively. Deficient testosterone levels due to increased conversion of testosterone to oestradiol have been demonstrated in males with the metabolic syndrome (MS) with limited pituitary and leptin contribution. Defective spermatogenesis is thus implicated in males with MS but is controversial. Inhibin B is a marker of spermatogenesis. This study aims at evaluating inhibin B levels and their relationship with obesity measures and lipids in males with different number of MS components. Materials and Methods: This is a preliminary prospective study in which a total of 106 apparently healthy males (30, 30, 30 and 16 males with 0, 1, 2 and ≥3 components of metabolic syndrome (NMSC) respectively) aged 19-64 years were purposely selected. Blood pressure (BP) and obesity measures (including visceral adiposity index (VAI) and body mass index (BMI)) were obtained by standard methods. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG), total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC) were determined by enzymatic methods while low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) and the lipid ratios (TG/HDLC, TC/HDLC, LDLC/HDLC) were calculated. Inhibin B was analysed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (RayBiotech, Inc. USA). Data analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multiple regressions were significant at P <.05. Results: Inhibin B decreased significantly in males with 0 to 2 NMSC (P <.05). However, inhibin levels between males with 0 and ≥3 NMSC were similar. Age and inhibin B levels were also similar among the different classes of BMI (P>0.05). Inhibin B related positively with HDLC and TC but negatively with VAI, LDLC and TC/HDLC. Conclusion: Reproductive function appears protected in Nigerian males with MS. However, improvement in HDLC, LDLC, TC levels, VAI and TC/HDLC may enhance fertility potential especially in males with one or two MS components, probably through dietary modulation and physical activity.