(1) Background: Organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs) are major chemicals used in agriculture for eradication of insecticides/pesticides. Unfortunately, the longtime exposure of human beings to OPPs could lead to metabolic disorder such as high blood pressure, hyperglycemia, overweight or dyslipidemia. The aim of this research is to evaluate the possible metabolic dysregulations as a consequence of chronic OPPs exposure to individuals in Cameroon and Pakistan. (2) Methods: Blood samples were collected from 300 participants in each country, into ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) tubes. The samples were extracted with solid phase extraction (methanol/water) for analysis of OPPs with gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The spectrophotometry and Enzyme Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay (ELISA) were used to measure the hepatic, renal, pancreatic and cardiovascular functions. The atherogenic index (AI) was also determined in OPPs exposed and nonexposed cohorts. (3) Results: The results showed the presence of malathion, parathion and chlorpyrifos OPPs residues in Cameroonians, and malathion and chlorpyrifos in Pakistani samples, respectively. Elevated Body Mass Index (BMI), insulin, blood glucose, dyslipidemia and hypertension were noted in OPPs chronic exposed groups. In addition, dysregulated liver and kidney function profiles were observed in all participants regardless of gender and age groups. (4) Conclusions: The study concludes that both the study cohorts showed several metabolic dysregulations attributable to chronic exposure to a mixture of OPPs which may provide precursors for establishment of metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases. Further different extended population-based studies are suggested to understand the differential metabolic dysfunctions caused by structurally different OPPs mixtures exposure.

The detrimental effects of organophosphates (OPs) on human health are thought to be of systemic, i.e., irreversible inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) at nerve synapses. However, several studies have shown that AChE inhibition alone cannot explain all the toxicological manifestations in prolonged exposure to OPs. The present study aimed to assess the status of antioxidants malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione (GSH) (reduced), catalase, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) in chronic OP-exposed groups from Cameroon and Pakistan. Molecular analysis of genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) of glutathione transferases (GSTM1, GSTP1, GSTT1), catalase gene (CAT, rs7943316), sirtuin 1 gene (SIRT1, rs10823108), acetylcholinesterase gene (ACHE, rs2571598), and butyrylcholinesterase gene (BCHE, rs3495) were screened in the OP-exposed individuals to find the possible causative association with oxidative stress and toxicity. Cholinesterase and antioxidant activities were measured by colorimetric methods using a spectrophotometer. Salting-out method was employed for DNA extraction from blood followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) for molecular analysis. Cholinergic enzymes were significantly decreased in OP-exposed groups. Catalase and SOD were decreased and MDA and FRAP were increased in OP-exposed groups compared to unexposed groups in both groups. GSH was decreased only in Pakistani OPs-exposed group. Molecular analysis of ACHE, BCHE, Catalase, GSTP1, and GSTM1 SNPs revealed a tentative association with their phenotypic expression that is level of antioxidant and cholinergic enzymes. The study concludes that chronic OPs exposure induces oxidative stress which is associated with the related SNP polymorphism. The toxicogenetics of understudied SNPs were examined for the first time to our understanding. The findings may lead to a newer area of investigation on OPs induced health issues and toxicogenetics.

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Introduction: Childhood malnutrition especially under nutrition is one of the most frequent causes of child morbidity and mortality. The consequences of malnutrition are more apparent in adulthood; it results in poor physical development and diminished cognitive abilities. Objective: To evaluate the nutritional status of supposedly healthy children aged 0 to 2 years old, attending vaccination clinics in Mezam division, North West Region, Cameroon. Methods: It was a descriptive survey using structured questionnaires, which covered socioeconomic and demographic information, breastfeeding practices, socio-cultural and economic factors and anthropometric data. Anthropometric measurements were taken (weight, height, head circumference). The total number of children was 990 (561 girls and 429 boys) all from diverse ethnic groups and backgrounds. The anthropometric indicator used was the weight-forage. The nutritional status of these children was evaluated with respect to a number of factors which are: age range, the sex of the children, milk feeding, socioeconomic and demographic factors. The results obtained were expressed in percentages. Results: Comparison of the growth patterns of the study population with that of the NCHS references revealed that none of the children grew exactly according to the NCHS references. The prevalence rate of both under nutrition and over nutrition among the 0-2 year's old children living in Mezam division was high. Children aged 0 to 6 months were more affected by under nutrition while those aged 6-12 months were more affected by over nutrition. Risk factors of under nutrition in these infants were as a result of factors such as: Nature of parents' profession, parents' educational level, inappropriate child feeding practices such as exclusive breastfeeding practiced incorrectly and mixed feeding started too early. Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence rate of both under nutrition and over nutrition among children aged 0-2 year's old living in the Mezam division.

Obesity is a complicated multifaceted problem generally accompanied by disturbances in carbohydrate and fat metabolism, insulin resistance as well as an increase in oxidative stress. The bark of Hypodaphnis zenkeri (HZ) and dry fruits of Xylopia aethiopica (XA) commonly used as spices in Cameroonian cuisine also have applications in traditional medicine. This study evaluates their effects on some biological parameters of acute hyperlipidemic rats and on rats fed with High Fat High Sucrose (HFHS) diet. The spices were extracted in water, water/ethanol (50/50) and ethanol. The first part of the work was the in vitro study where, the partial phytochemical composition as well as the antioxidant potential of extracts were studied, using folin Ciocalteu's phenol method and ABTS (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) assay. The best extract for each spice was selected and used for the "in vivo" study which consisted in studying their effect on weight and biochemical parameters in acute hyperlipidemic rats and insulin resistant rats. The extracts contained phenols like flavonoids. They also showed free radical scavenging properties in vitro. Total phenolic content were higher particularly for the hydroethanolic extract (HEE) of Hypodaphnis zenkeri (413.87 ± 13.19 mg Eq catechin/g of extract), but lowest for the water extract (WE) of Xylopia aethiopica (63.07 ± 1.60 mg Eq catechin/g of extract). At a concentration of 400 mg/kg, the HEE extract of Hypodaphnis zenkeri showed a hypotriglyceridemic activity on rats with hypertriglyceridemia induced by triton WR-1339 unlike the EE of Xylopia aethiopica. But these two extracts inhibited weight gain and reduced postprandial glycemia in insulin resistant rats. The bark of Hypodaphnis zenkeri, and dry fruits of Xylopia aethiopica contained bioactive ingredients; they ameliorated the glucose uptake and the evolution of weight impaired by the chronic consumption of HFHS diet in rats.