Serum Immunoglobulins, C-Reactive Protein, and Trace Element Level in Preeclamptic Nigerian Subjects

Abstract

Background: The mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE) remains uncertain, and the research into a better understanding, its possible prediction, and subsequent prevention continues. Aim: This study evaluated changes in serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM), C-reactive protein, and trace elements (Zn, Cu, and Mn) in preeclamptic, normotensive pregnant, and non-pregnant females. Subjects and Methods: The study was conducted among 150 subjects consisting of 50 preeclamptic subjects, 50 healthy normotensive pregnant women in their third trimester, and 50 non-pregnant women, all within the same age bracket. The serum concentration of the immunoglobulins and C-reactive protein were measured using standard immunoturbidimetric methods, whereas the trace elements were assayed using the atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. Results: Serum IgG and IgM levels were observed to be significantly lower (P < 0.05) in preeclamptic subjects (101.22 ± 4.44 and 769.43 ± 1.43 mg/dl), respectively, when compared to the normotensive pregnant women (123.87 ± 1.81 and 881.71 ± 2.80 mg/dl), respectively. There was a non-significant difference in immunoglobulin A levels between the groups (P > 0.05). The C-reactive protein was significantly higher, whereas the trace elements were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in preeclamptic subjects compared to the normotensives. There was a positive correlation between the immunoglobulin G and Zn levels (r = 0.334; P = 0.046) and also between immunoglobulin G and C-reactive protein levels (r = 0.340; P = 0.043) and a negative correlation between systolic blood pressure and manganese levels in preeclamptic subjects (r = −0.375; P = 0.024). Conclusion: This study therefore reveals significantly lower levels of immunoglobulins and trace elements among the preeclamptic subjects. These micronutrient deficiencies and low levels of immunoglobulins could be risk factors for the development of high blood pressure and PE.

Estimation of Serum Minerals, Total Protein and Liver Enzymes in HIV Patients Receiving Haart in Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

“…The study found a significant difference in TP values between Pre-HAART patients (43.18±21.52), HAART patients (61.56±18.87), and seronegative patients (65.47±12.79) with a p-value of less than 0.05. This contradicts [18] findings but aligns with [8] Akinola et al's 2012 and [19]. The decrease in TP levels of Pre-HAART patients may be due to factors such as malnutrition, malabsorption, chronic infections, and opportunistic infections like tuberculosis, leading to significant weight loss and muscle wasting, as noted by [7].…”

The Relation between Deregulated Immune Milieu and Atherogenic Lipids Might Underlie the Development of Pregnancy-induced Hypertensive Disorders

“…The current study detected a significant elevation of blood pressure (BP) measures in all pregnant women, irrespective of reaching the diagnostic levels of pregnancyinduced hypertension (PIH). This finding indicating the hypertensive phenotype of pregnancy and multiple explanations were provided for the coincidence of hypertension and pregnancy, for example, micronutrient deficiencies with or without low levels of immunoglobulins were suggested to be risk factors for the development of high BP up to PE development [20] , gut-placenta axis theory was supposed for the role of gut microbiota dysbiosis and altered levels of their active metabolites for the development of PE [21] , placental malfunction secondary to activation of the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway to induce overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by endothelial cells with down-regulation of the cellular HIF1α-UCA1 pathway that promote the trophoblastic adaptation to hypoxia may underlie the development of PIH [22] , disturbed PLGF/sFlet ratio [23] and deregulated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 [24] are also suggested as underlying mechanisms for PIH.…”

Female monozygotic twins with sacral myelomeningocele

“…[ 14 ] In Nigeria and West Africa, Adeloye in 1971, reported the first case of myelomeningocele in a nonidentical twin and Ugwu and Eneh reported the second case in 2009. [ 1 , 16 ] The twins in both cases did not survive the perinatal period. The index cases are the third reported monozygotic twins with concurrent myelomeningocele who survived the perinatal period worldwide and the oldest at the time of presentation.…”