IntroductionDiabetic foot ulcer (DFU), a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with DM in Nigeria (1). It is the second leading cause of diabetes-related deaths, accounting for 24% of all diabetes mortalities in the country (2). DFU is associated with oxidative stress (OS), which arises in cells and tissues from excessive generation of free radicals in the presence of a decreased antioxidant defense system (3,4). The body's antioxidant defense is achieved through interaction between the nonenzymatic antioxidant micronutrients and the enzymatic antioxidants containing several metalloenzymes as components (5).Micronutrients, including vitamins and minerals, are required by the body in small quantities for specific functions (6). They are essential in the prevention of deficiency diseases, regulation of metabolism and gene expression, deterrence of the development and progression of many chronic diseases, and the maintenance of good health (6,7). The vitamins, acting as direct antioxidants ( 7), neutralize and scavenge free radicals (3), while the minerals regulate enzyme activities (6) by serving as cofactors for antioxidant enzymes: selenium (Se) for glutathione peroxidase (GPx), iron for catalase, and copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), or manganese (Mn) for superoxide dismutase (5,7). Therefore, protective and scavenging effects are exerted on living systems by these micronutrients (8). Indeed, micronutrients have been considered as potential preventive and treatment agents for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and for common complications of diabetes (9).It has been demonstrated that persistently uncontrolled hyperglycemia can cause significant changes in the levels of micronutrients (9), and its deficiency state may lead to an increase in the production of free radicals (10).Background/aim: Micronutrients are indispensable in the prevention of diseases and maintenance of good health. Their deficiencies have been implicated in several diseases associated with oxidative stress (OS). This study aimed at investigating the levels of some vitamins and minerals in association with OS markers in diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. Materials and methods:Seventy DFU patients and 50 apparently healthy volunteers (controls) were recruited for the study. Blood samples of 10 mL were collected after a 10-h overnight fast from each participant after obtaining their consent. Levels of oxidative stress biomarkers such as lipid peroxide (LPO), 8-hydroxyl-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), total antioxidant status (TAS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and micronutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin E, copper, selenium, and zinc were determined.Results: Significant increases in the levels of LPO and 8-OHdG and GPx activity were found in DFU patients compared to controls (P < 0.001). Significant decreases in vitamin C (P = 0.003), selenium, vitamin E, and TAS concentrations were detected between DFU patients and controls (P < 0.00...

No abstract

No abstract

Objectives: There is increasing exposure to petrochemicals, including benzene, particularly in the low and medium-income countries. Benzene is a component of many petrochemicals and a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. Phenol is one of its principal metabolites and serves as a biomarker of exposure to benzene. The mechanism of its toxicity is incompletely elucidated. Benzene’s interaction with key micronutrients; copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn) in the haemopoietic system has only been poorly explored, particularly in the developing countries where their status is variable and uncertain, with attendant intense exposure to petrochemicals. Material and Methods: Two groups of 50 gasoline dispensers (GDs) and 50 non-occupationally exposed participants were selected from Oye Local Government Area, Nigeria. The duration of occupational exposure was 2–10 years. Serum levels of Cu, Fe, and Zn were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry while heme and phenol were determined by standard spectrophotometry. Results: Phenol was significantly higher in GDs (P = 0.000), compared to controls (P < 0.05). The micronutrients, Cu, Fe, and Zn were all significantly decreased in GDs compared to controls (P = 0.000 in all cases). Phenol and Fe demonstrated significant inverse correlation (r = −0.557, P = 0.00), while heme and Zn also exhibited inverse correlation respectively to phenol (r = −0.38, P = 0.01; r = −0.37, P = 0.01). Conclusion: These data suggest intense perturbation of the haemopoietic system in GDs; likely from altered xenobiotic metabolism requiring heme in cytochrome P450; cell cycle dysregulation, where Zn is pivotal, p53 suppression also dependent on Zn and oxidative stress all converging in haemopoietic dysregulation. Importantly, depression of these micronutrients implies potentiation of myelotoxicity and risk of myeloproliferation, probably arising from alterations in transcription, differentiation errors, genome instability, and derangement in cell signal transduction moderated by Zn; accentuating risk of myeloproliferation; suggesting a role for these micronutrients in chemoprevention. Understanding these events may be important in risk assessment, policy formulation, regulatory measures and chemoprevention in GDs and the general population.

Tea is one of the commonest drinks in most homes. Many people consume tea due to its unique taste and associated health benefits. Several medical disorders such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus have been linked to the excessive generation of free radicals and oxidative stress. Studies conducted on Daily Detox, a tea consumed by many Nigerians have been limited to qualitative assessment of phytochemicals, but quantitative measurement of phytochemical, microelement, macro elements and heavy metal contents of the tea have not been explored. This study was designed to bridge this gap. Two packs of the daily detox made from Agerantus conyzoides (common name, Goat weed) and Loranthus bengwensis (common name, African Mistletoe) each containing 21 tea bags in dust form, supplied by the manufacturer were used for analyses. Quantitative measurements of terpenoids, trypsin inhibitors, tannin, phenol, alkaloids and carotenoids were performed using standard methods. Copper, zinc, iron, sodium, potassium, cadmium, nickel, chromium and manganese were estimated using standard methods. Quantitative values of phytochemicals obtained from the herbal tea were: Terpenoids (325.2 µg/g), trypsin inhibitors (16115.5 µg/g), tannin (39.4 µg/g), phenol (55.0 µg/g), alkaloids (1.9 µg/g), flavonoids (3.0 µg/g) and carotenoids (205.5 µg/g). Macro and micro elements measured from the herbal tea were: Copper (16.9 µg/g), zinc (82.9 µg/g), iron (2742.7 µg/g); sodium (2442.9 µg/g); potassium (22132.8 µg/g); chromium (18.9 µg/g) and manganese (340.4 µg/g). Lead was (9.9 µg/g) while nickel and cadmium levels were undetected. The metabolic roles of these chemicals are discussed in relation to their health benefits.

No abstract

No abstract