ABSTRACT
The close association between oxidative stress and lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension has become well known. Oxidative stress is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body. A newly identified adipokine known as visfatin has been found to be related to many metabolic and cardiovascular conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the patterns of some oxidative stress markers and electrolytes concentration in some body fluids, as well as the relationship between visfatin and hypertension in premenopausal, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.
The study was carried out in the physiology laboratory of the Department of Physiology, University of Benin, Benin City. A total of 150 subjects were recruited for the study. Questionnaires were used to access those that are qualified to participate in the study.Subjects were grouped into three categories: premenopausal (preM), perimenopausal (peri M) and postmenopausal (post M) women. The preM group was made up of women between 18 and 35yrs. Subjects were sub-grouped into groups A hypertensive (HTN) and B normotensive (NT) groups. PeriM subjects were women between the ages of 45 and 55. Subjects were then sub-grouped into groups C and D. Group C were the hypertensive (HTN) perimenopausal women, and group D were the normotensive (NT) perimenopausal women.The postM group was made up of women who have not had any menstrual flow for at least 12months (between ages 55 and above). Subjects were further categorized into E and F respectively. Group E was made up of postmenopausal hypertensive (HTN) women, while group F included postmenopausal women who are normotensive (NT). Prior to the study, verbal consent was obtained from each subject. On arrival at the laboratory the volunteered subjects were allowed to acclimatize for a period of 30 minutes before the commencement of the experiment. Subsequently, their anthropometric data and blood pressures were obtained. All data were presented as mean ± standard error of mean (SEM). Statistical analysis was done using graphpad prism 8.1. P values less than 0.05 (P<0.05) were considered statistically significant. Comparisons were done using two-way Ansalysis of Variance (ANOVA). Relationships were analysed using correlation graphs.
Our results showed a positive relationship between visfatin and sodium ion concentration, visfatin and body mass index, visfatin and protein concentration, as well as a strong, positive relationship between visfatin and hypertension. In conclusion, visfatin is a novel hormone derived from adipose tissues, and at present, general knowledge about it is scanty. It is therefore recommended that more visfatin related researches be carried out in order to identify its physiologic and/or pathologic roles in the body.
