Serum concentration of vitamins A and E and lipid in a rural population of north Cameroon.
BACKGROUND
Vitamin A deficiency is still a major health problem mostly affecting people in developing countries. It contributes to increased mortality and morbidity through current infection. In Cameroon, it is a public health problem mostly in the northern part where palm oil, which is a principal source of provitamin A in the south of the country, is not consumed.


OBJECTIVE
We carried out this research to discover the relationship between vitamins (A and E) and blood lipids in a normal rural population living in vitamin A-deficiency area.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study with 81 healthy volunteers (40 men and 41 women) aged 3-61 (mean 18.32 +/- 1.63) years and living in two neighboring villages (Doyan and Larao) in the northern part of Cameroon, where previous studies revealed a prevalence of vitamin A deficiency of 33.3%.


METHODS
Serum concentrations of vitamins A and E were measured by fluorometric methods. Serum cholesterol and lipids were assayed by enzymatic methods.


RESULTS
The mean +/- standard error for vitamin A and E were 15.09 +/- 0.82; 526.99 +/- 29.57 mug/100 ml, respectively. The concentrations of the serum parameters analyzed were similar for both sexes, whereas the atherogenic ration of cholesterol (ARC) was significantly (p < 0.036) higher in women. Serum lipids (total lipids, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein and phospholipids) correlated with vitamins A and E (p < 0.05). Vitamins A and E were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.42, p < 0.001). Age was positively associated with vitamin A (r = 0.42, p < 0.001) and vitamin E (r = 0.29, p < 0.01). Deficiency of vitamins A and E constitutes a public health problem with more than 56% of the subjects having low levels of these vitamins, while subjects tested had a low risk for cardiovascular diseases.


CONCLUSIONS
In this population we noticed normal lipid levels and vitamin A deficiency probably resulting from diets poor in provitamin A.
Gouado
Inocent
I
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, PO Box 24157, Douala, Cameroon. gouadoi@yahoo.fr
Ejoh
Richard Aba
RA
Kenne
Martin
M
Ndifor
Fombotioh
F
Mbiapo
Félicité Tchouanguep
FT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000032:analysis; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004032:Diet / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009752:Nutritional Status; D012423:Rural Health; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood*; D014802:Vitamin A Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood*; D014811:Vitamin E Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D008055:Lipids; D014801:Vitamin A; D014810:Vitamin E