Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional and antioxidant status of pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Nigeria Methods: Levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB.), triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), and total antioxidants (TAS) were determined in thirty-one Nigerian pulmonary tuberculosis patients and thirty-four controls using Spectrophotometric methods Results:The mean levels of TP (7.13+1.06g/dl), ALB (3.27+0.7g/dl), TC (100.7+23.6mg/dl), HDLC (28.6+7.2mg/dl), LDLC (65.5+15.1mg/dl) and TG (61.6+16.2mg/dl) were significantly lower while the level of globulin (3.9+0.84g/dl) was significantly higher in pulmonary tuberculosis patients when compared with controls (TP= 7.6+0.7g/dl; ALB= 4.2+0.48g/dl; TC = 163.2+40.1mg/dl; HDLC = 41.4+5.4mg/dl; LDLC = 107.8+27.5mg/dl; TG= 101.5+29mg/dl; globulin = 3.4+0.6g/dl respectively). Level of TAS (0.83+0.34mmol/l) was significantly lower when compared with controls (TAS= 1.65+0.26mmol/l). The significantly lower level of antioxidants observed in this study might be due to heavy load of free radicals released by the bacterial invaded macrophages. Conclusion: The nutritional derangement and lower antioxidant status could call for prompt nutritional intervention in the management of pulmonary tuberculosis patients.
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Article Type: Original Article
EUR J GEN MED, Volume 5, Issue 4, October 2008, 208-211
https://doi.org/10.29333/ejgm/82608
Publication date: 15 Oct 2008
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