- Abstract of the Research
Title: Markers of Lipid and Protein Peroxidation among Nigerian University Students with Dysmenorrhea
Design & Setting: Case-control study of 90 female undergraduates (45 with primary dysmenorrhea; 45 age-matched controls) in Ibadan, Nigeria.
Objective: To examine oxidative stress in dysmenorrhea using multiple peroxidation markers (lipid and protein) and antioxidant status.
Methods: We quantified malondialdehyde (MDA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and protein carbonyls (PrCarb), and assessed antioxidant status via serum α-tocopherol. Group comparisons used non-parametric tests; correlations were explored between α-tocopherol and peroxidation markers.
Results: Participants were 16–29 years (mean 22.0 ± 3.1). Compared with controls, dysmenorrhea cases had significantly higher MDA (0.75 ± 0.19 vs 0.45 ± 0.11 nmol/mL) and 3-NT (45.89 ± 37.11 vs 21.27 ± 13.94 ng/mL), while α-tocopherol was lower (7.51 ± 1.95 vs 8.98 ± 1.95 µmol/L). PrCarb did not differ significantly overall. α-Tocopherol correlated inversely with 3-NT (r = −0.285; P = 0.007) and MDA (r = −0.321; P = 0.002).
Conclusion: Young women with dysmenorrhea exhibited elevated lipid and protein peroxidation alongside lower α-tocopherol, consistent with oxidative stress and suggesting a potential role for antioxidant strategies (e.g., vitamin E) pending further trials.
Ethics & Acknowledgement: Approved by the UI/UCH ERC (UI/EC/15/0395). The study was partly supported by a TBBF seed grant; we gratefully acknowledge the Foundation’s contribution.
Citation: Orimadegun BE, Awolude OA, Agbedana EO. Nigerian Journal of Clinical Practice 2019;22(2):174–180. doi:10.4103/njcp.njcp_279_18.