Gender Comparison of some Apolipoprotein and Lipid Profiles in Apparently Healthy Adult Male and Female Subjects at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, South-Eastern Nigeria
Ifeoma Priscilla Ezeugwunne *
Department of Human Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Charles Chinedum Onyenekwe
Department of Medical Laboratory, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku
Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Gladys I. Ahaneku
Department of Cardiology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria and Department of Internal Medicine, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Sochima Johnmark Obiekwe
Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Ikedichukwu Chibueze Ejiogu
Department of Human Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Victor Nwabunwanne Oguaka
Department of Human Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Ifeanyichukwu Samuel Ike
Department of Public Health, Western Illinoise University, Macomb Illinois, USA.
Obinna David Ibemere
Maternal and Children Hospital, Hafar Al Batin City, Saudi Arabia.
Maryrose Onyinyechukwu Ikem
Department of Medical Rehabilitation (Physiotherapy), College of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria.
Chinonye Goodness Ezeugwunne
Department of Psychology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Apolipoproteins are a group of proteins that are found on the surface of lipoprotein particles and are involved in lipid metabolism. Lipoproteins are complexes of lipids and proteins that transport lipids in the bloodstream, transport triglycerides to peripheral tissues, and reverse transport of cholesterol from peripheral tissues to the liver for excretion. They are important biomarkers of lipid metabolism and are known to be associated with an increased risk of CVD. This study aims to assess the effect of gender on some of the apolipoproteins and lipid profiles studied at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi. A total of 51 adult female and 49 adult male subjects were randomly recruited at the Voluntary and counseling center NAUTH. The apolipoproteins such as Apo A-1, Apo A-2, Apo B, Apo C-2, Apo C-3, and Apo E, and the lipoproteins such as Total cholesterol (Chol), Low-Density Lipids (LDL), High-Density Lipids (HDL), and Triglycerides (TG) were analyzed using routine laboratory analyses. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21, independent Students’-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used to compare means. The Apo A-1, Apo A-2, Apo B, Chol, HDL, and TG levels were significantly elevated in the male subjects compared to the female subjects with p<0.05. Conclusively, the male subjects studied were more prone to cardiovascular conditions.
Keywords: Apolipoproteins, triglycerides, lipid profiles, cardiovascular disease