Cachexia in HF is associated with an increase in adiponectin concentration. This may represent preservation of the physiological response to change in body fat but might also suggest that adiponectin plays a role in the pathogenesis of cachexia. The correlation between BNP and adiponectin also raises the possibility that the former might increase the secretion of the latter.

Factors associated with plasma levels of adiponectin and leptin were studied in adult subjects without diabetes from Cotonou in Benin (West‐Africa). Seventy (70) men and 45 women were included in the study. Anthropometric variables were measured and a venous blood sample was drawn from each subject, after an overnight fasting period, for measurement of plasma glucose, insulin, leptin, and adiponectin levels. HOMA‐IR was determined to assess insulin resistance. Adiponectin and leptin levels were higher in women than in men (with adiponectin 18.48 ± 12.77 vs.7.8 ± 10.39 μg/mL, P < 0.0001, and leptin 30.77 ± 19.16 vs. 8.66 ± 8.24 ng/mL, P < 0.0001). Fasting insulin level and HOMA‐IR were also higher in the females. Hyperleptinemia was observed in 66,96% of subjects and hypoadiponectinemia was present in 44.35% of subjects. In both men and women, leptin correlated with age (r = 0.2; P = 0.02), BMI (r = 0.572; P < 0.0001), waist circumference (r = 0.534; P < 0.0001), fasting insulin (r = 0.461; P < 0.001), and HOMA‐IR (r = 0.430; P < 0.0001). No significant correlation was observed for adiponectin levels with these variables. Only in women, adiponectin was inversely correlated with fasting glucose (r = −0.423; P < 0.004). These data confirm previous descriptions of leptin but suggest that variations in factors determining serum adiponectin levels observed between ethnicities could also been seen between populations from the same ethnicity.

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Dialium guineense (Caesalpiniaceae) and Trema orientalis (Celtidaceae) are traditionally used to treat and manage many diseases such as hypertension, headache and diabetes. Despite their recognized efficacy in traditional medicine, their antihypertensive properties are not yet effective. Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the antihypertensive effect of ethanolic extracts of Dialium guineense and Trema orientalis on L-NAME-induced hypertensive rats. The systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure were recorded using CODA™ non-invasive blood pressure system. The phenolic compounds were also quantified using High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Ethanolic extracts of both plants induced significant decrease of mean arterial pressure. At 500 mg/kg bw, both plants decreased mean arterial pressure from 126.4 ± 0.48 to 90.6 ± 3.12 mmHg and from 154.8 ± 7.84 to 103 ± 5.6 mmHg respectively for Dialium guineense and Trema orientalis. Losartan and Captopril, used as standard drugs at 100 mg/kg body weight, also significantly decrease blood pressure. Trema orientalis was the most active with a blood pressure reduction percentage of 33.46 ± 3.06 % comparable to Losartan (31.37 ± 3.13 %) and Captopril (31.76 ± 2.63 %). The probable bioctives compound identified were chlorogenic, gallic, caffeic, ellargic, tannic acids, and luteolin, isorhamnetin and chrysin.

Crateva adansonii DC.ssp. adansonii (CA) is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases including hypertension. The main objective of this study was to assess the effect of the plant on high blood pressure. The crude aqueous extract of CA has undergone a liquid-liquid fractionation with increasing polarity solvents. The phytochemical analysis of the extracts was carried out by using the thin layer chromatography method. The pharmacological effect was evaluated in Wistar rats made hypertensive by administering the N (ω)-Nitro-L-Arginine-Methyl Ester (L-NAME). The crude extract was administered at 500 mg / kg (b/w) and the fractions (aqueous, butanol, dichloromethane and ethyl acetate) at 30 mg / kg (b/w). Blood pressure was measured by a non-invasive caudal arterial measurement method. Flavonoids, coumarins terpens, anthracens were detected diversely distributed either the crude extract or in the fractions. The crude aqueous extract induced a significant decrease in blood pressure from 155.6 ± 9.28 mm Hg to 106.00 ± 8.27 mm Hg. On the other hand, ethyl acetate and dichloromethane fractions exerted the highest effects among the fractions by reducing the blood pressure respectively from 139.8 ± 6.83 mmHg to 98.6 ± 8.38 mmHg and to 106.6 ± 6.80 mmHg. The results obtained justify the traditional use of the leaves of CA in the treatment of high blood pressure.

Thyroid dysfunction is frequent in pregnant women and is often associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and fetal outcome. In the present work, thyroid function of pregnant women from Benin republic was studied. Two hundred forty (240) pregnant women, without thyroid disease history, have been included in the study. A blood sample was drawn for measurement of TSH, free T3 and free T4 serum levels. From the first to the third trimester, plasma levels of free T3 and free T4 decreased when plasma levels of TSH increased. Using recommendations of the 2011 American Thyroid Association (ATA) guidelines, thyroid dysfunction was observed in 24.17% of subjects. Hypothyroidism was present in 22.50% of subjects with 19.17% of subclinical hypothyroidism, 0.83% of overt hypothyroidism and 2.50% of hypothyroxinemia and hyperthyroidism was observed in 1.67% of subjects. An increase from 15.52% to 28.07% was observed in the frequency of hypothyroidism from the first to the third trimester of pregnancy. When an upper cut-off value of 4 mU/L was used for TSH, as recommended in the 2017 ATA guidelines, prevalence of thyroid disorders was 14.58% with 12.91% of hypothyroidism but no hypothyroidism was observed in women in the first trimester of pregnancy. A rise in hypothyroidism frequency was observed when pregnant women age increased. Hypothyroidism was very common in pregnant women in Benin. To allow accurate assessment of thyroid status in pregnant women in Benin, pregnancy specific range for plasma level of TSH and thyroid hormones should be established.