Serum Concentration of Vitamins A and E and Lipid in a Rural Population of North Cameroon

Vol. 49, No. 1, 2005

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Original Paper

Serum Concentration of Vitamins A and E and Lipid in a Rural Population of North Cameroon
Inocent Gouado^a, Richard Aba Ejoh^b, Martin Kenne^c, Fombotioh Ndifor^a, Félicité Tchouanguep Mbiapo^d

^aDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Douala,
^bDepartment of Food Sciences and Nutrition, University of Ngaoundéré,
^cDepartment of Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Douala, and
^dDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Cameroon

Address of Corresponding Author

Ann Nutr Metab 2005;49:26-32 (DOI: 10.1159/000084174)

Key Words

Cholesterol
Vitamins
Total lipids
Triglycerides

Abstract

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. Aim: 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. Design: 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 µg/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. Conclusion: In this population we noticed normal lipid levels and vitamin A deficiency probably resulting from diets poor in provitamin A.

Author Contacts

Inocent Gouado
Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Douala
PO Box 24157
Douala (Cameroon)
Tel./Fax +237 340 75 69, E-Mail gouadoi@yahoo.fr

Article Information

Received: December 2, 2003
Accepted: September 21, 2004
Published online: February 25, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 7
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 6, Number of References : 29

Medline Abstract (ID 15735365)

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