Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins Levels and Selected Trace Metals In Newly Diagnosed Hypertensive Nigerians

There have been several reports on the role of macronutrients in the pathogenesis of high blood pressure (HBP), however, reports on the relationship between micronutrients and trace metals are few, especially in blacks. This study aim to determine the serum levels of trace metals and correlate same with serum levels of lipoproteins (an established marker of HBP) in newly diagnosed hypertensives (NDH) A total of 50 NDH subjects (24 males and 26 females) attending Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo were randomly selected and recruited after obtaining their informed consent. 62 consenting healthy individuals (28 males and 34 females) were recruited from member of staff as controls. Fasting blood samples were collected from subjects and controls using appropriate techniques. Serum Total cholesterol (Tc), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were estimated using commercially available kit from Randox Laboratory. Trace metals (Selenium(Se), Zinc(Zn), Cobalt(Co) and Copper(Cu)) were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data obtained were analyzed with the aid of SPSS statistical package version 18.0. Serum Tc and LDL-Chol were higher in subjects (5.69 ±1.40 and 3.85±0.94) mmol/l than in controls (4.53±1.30 and 2.56±1.38) mmol/l, p 0.05. Serum Tg were almost similar Preamong subjects and controls 1.40±0.21 vs 1.34±0.67mmol/l, p > 0.05. Reduced levels of Se and Zn were found in NDH (8.55±5.61, 70.44±28.48μg/dl) compared with controls (21.75±7.30, 120.15±25.76μg/dl), p Key words: lipids, lipoproteins, micronutrients, newly diagnosed black hypertensives.