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Nigerian Journal Of Physiological Sciences 20 (1-2): 48-53@ Physiological Society Of Nigeria, 2005
tone by increasing nitrous oxide production. It Total cholesterol was measured using
stabilizes the endothelial cells, enhances established enzymatic methods of Allain et al
antioxidant effects and alters fibrinolytic (1974) with the Randox cholesterol kit
protein (Taddec et al, 1996). All these are (Randox England). HDL-C was isolated by
cardioprotective mechanisms, which are lost in HDL-C precipitant method (Lopes-virella et
menopause. al, 1977). LDL was calculated with a formula
Dyslipidemia at menopause is not from total cholesterol and triglycerides
restricted to Caucasians. It is also evident in (Friedwald, 1972). Triglyceride was isolated
women of South Eastern Nigeria. These enzymatically as described by Henry (1991)
studies were aimed at determining the degree and the expert panel on detection, evaluation
of dyslipidemia in the women of this region and treatment of high blood cholesterol in
and relate it to the risk of developing adults (Expert Panel, 1988). VLDL was
cardiovascular diseases. It also attempted to calculated using the formula VLDL-C =
suggest possible methods of reverting to lipid TG/2.825mmol/L (Henry, 1991).
friendly status. Statistical analysis was done using Excel.
Showing the mean and standard deviation.
Materials and Methods Comparison of mean was by student t-test.
A group of 126 women, 74 premenopausal Permission was obtained from the Faculty
aged between 25-45 years and 52 Ethics committee to carry out this experiment.
postmenopausal aged between 55-70 years
were studied. They were of the same social Results
class and selected from workers and students The mean, Standard deviation and the P-
of the University of Nigeria and the University values for total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C
of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) VLDL-C and Triglycerides are shown in Table
community. Some of the postmenopausal 1. There was no significant difference in the
women were relatives of the workers. They total cholesterol and the triglycerides between
were randomly selected by a lucky dip of yes the two groups (P>0.005). However there was
or no after an informed consent and ethical significant reduction in HDL and VLDL-C
clearance from the relevant ethical committee fraction in the postmenopausal group and a
of UNTH Enugu was obtained. Exclusion significant increase in the value of LDL-C
criteria include obesity, pregnancy, diabetes (P<0.005).
mellitus, hypertension, hormonal contraception Table 2 shows the HDL/LDL ratio
and heavy exercise. between the two groups. Figs 1,2,3,4, and 5
Fasting venous samples (10ml) were represent comparisons of means between the
collected in heparinized bottles. This however, two groups. The mean age for premenopausal
was done on the 7th day of the L.M.P. for the women is 36.74.74 and that for post
premenopausal group. Sample was centrifuged menopausal women is 60.99.9
and plasma separated and stored in plastic
tubes at 4oC.
Table 1: Showing Total plasma cholesterol and its subfractions in pre and
postmenopausal women.
Fig. 1: Mean Serum Cholesterol ( Pre and post menopausal) Fig III: Mean LDL-C ( Pre and post menopausal)
1.6
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.2
1
1
mmol/l
mmol/l
Premenopause 0.8
Premenopause
0.8
Postmenopause Postmenopause
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0
0 1
1
Fig. II: Mean HDL-C ( Pre and post menopausal) Fig IV: Mean VLDL-C ( Pre and post menopausal)
1.6
1.6
1.4
1.4
1.2
1.2
1
mmol/l
Premenopause
mmol/l
0.8
0.8
Premenopause
Postmenopause Postmenopause
0.6
0.6
0.4
0.4
0.2
0.2
0
1 0
1
1.4
1.2
1
mmol/l
0.8
Premenopause
Postmenopause
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
1
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Received:22/3/2005
Accepted: 21/10/2005