Browsing by Author "Mwangengwa, L. M."

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Biochemical and pathological studies in rats following dietary supplementation with high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin E.
(AJOL, 2015) Mushi, J. R.; Njau, E. P.; Mwangengwa, L. M.; Mgonja, F. R.; Balthazary, S. T.
The effects of dietary supplementation with high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and vitamin E and their interaction on biochemical and pathological parameters in rats were investigated. A total of 40 rats (Rattus norvegicus) were randomized in 4 groups, each containing 10 rats. Group 1 (control) was fed on basal diet. Group 2 was fed on basal diet with added PUFAs to attain a fat level of 24%. Group 3 received basal diet supplemented with 1500 ppm of vitamin E. Group 4 was fed basal diet supplemented with 24% PUFAs and 1500ppm vitamin E. Zoo-technical parameters on rats, including clinical picture and body weight changes were observed daily and weekly respectively. The rats were sacrificed after 20 weeks of feeding. Pathological examinations were done on the liver, kidney and heart. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance concentration (TBArs) in the liver homogenates was determined for biochemical picture. At baseline Body weight and (TBArs) were homogenous in all the groups. Following treatments, average body weight in groups 4 and 2 was significantly higher than in group 1 and 3 and mean TBArs levels in the liver was significantly (P<0.05) higher in group 2 rats compared to groups. Furthermore, high dietary supplementation of vitamin E showed no deleterious effects on rats and no pathological changes in the liver, kidney and heart tissues were observed in the treated and control groups. The current study reveals that, peroxidative stress attributable to high levels of PUFAs supplementation in rats maybe counteracted by supplementing PUFA with high level of vitamin E.
Profile of plasma lipids and degree of derangements among the elderly of Morogoro region, Tanzania
(Tanzania Journal of Health Research, 2014) Mwangengwa, L. M.; John, J.; Banabars, E.; Chacha, W. J.; Mushi, J.; Ally, M. H.; Ngarashi, D.; Mpanduji, D. G.
Changes in lifestyles and ageing have been associated with growing rates of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (CRF). Dyslipidemia is one of the CRF associated with numbers of cardiovascular diseases. This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the profile and degree of derangements of plasma lipids among 300 (176 females and 124 males) elderly individuals aged ≥60 years in Morogoro, Tanzania. The calorimetric enzymatic methods and the Friedewal’s equation were used for determination of cholesterols and triglycerides (TG). Social and demographic characteristics were gathered by structured questionnaires. The logistic regression models were used to identify the determinants of abnormal serum lipids level. Mean Total Cholesterols (TC) and Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterols (LDL-C) in females exceeded significantly that of males. Mean TC, LDL-C as well as TG (mg/dL) declined significantly with age while mean High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterols (HDL-C) also declined but only slightly. Elderly females were two times more likely to have elevated TC (OR=2.11; 95% CI: 1.04-4.28: P=0.05) and LDL-C (OR=2.15; 95% CI: 1.17-3.97: P=0.019) and three times to have lowered HDL-C (OR=3; 95% CI: 1.97-5.30: P<0.001) than males. Urban residents were about two times more likely to have elevated LDL-C (OR=1.84; 95% CI: 1.04-3.25: P=0.047) than their rural counterparts. Body Mass Index of ≥30 kg/m 2 was also associated with elevated LDL-C (OR=1.89; 95% CI: 1.05- 3.42: P=0.045) and lowered HDL-C (OR=2.18; 95% CI: 1.3-3.65: P=0.004), respectively. The present study has established the profile and level of derangements of serum lipids among the elderly of Morogoro region in Tanzania. It appears that, female sex and BMI of ≥ 30kg/ m 2 are significant factors for elevated TC, LDL-C and lowered HDL-C while urban life is a significant factor for elevated LDL-C.