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Camille Maadjhou Mba,1 Wilfred Mbacham,1 Eugène Sobngwi,2,3 Jean Claude Mbanya2,3 1Department of Physiological Sciences/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 2Department of Internal Medicine and Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 3National Obesity Center and Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases Unit, Yaoundé Central Hospital, Yaoundé, CameroonCorrespondence: Camille Maadjhou MbaDepartment of Physiological Sciences/Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé 1, PO Box 1364, Yaoundé, CameroonEmail camilya91@yahoo.frPurpose: Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) is a key regulator of circulating LDL cholesterol. There are inconsistent data in some populations concerning the association between PCSK9, LDL and CRP. The emerging importance of the inhibition of PCSK9 for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia warrants investigations in different populations. The aim of this study from a Sub-Saharan African population was to evaluate the association between PCSK9 and hs-CRP levels and plasma lipid levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obese and lean controls.Patients and methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in a major hospital in Yaoundé, Cameroon in a cohort of 162 participants (53% females). There were 54 non-obese T2D patients matched for age and sex to 54 obese nondiabetic and 54 nondiabetic lean subjects. PCSK9 level was assessed by sandwich ELISA method and hsCRP by nephelometry.Results: PCSK9 and hs-CRP levels were significantly higher in obese and T2D subjects when compared to lean controls (pr=0.56, p=0.02 and r=0.2 and p=0.1, respectively). Multilinear regression analysis identified BMI as an independent predictor for PCSK9 levels and this association was maintained after adjustment for confounders; adjusted β-coefficient; 36.1 (95% CI; 29.2–47.4). We did not find an association between PCSK9 and any plasma lipid levels in obese and T2D subjects, nor between PCSK9 and hs-CRP levels.Conclusion: Obese and type 2 diabetes subjects have higher PCSK9 levels when compared to lean controls, suggesting that these metabolic states potentially impact PCSK9 levels in Cameroonian patients.Keywords: PCSK9, LDL-cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, obesity

Carine Nguefeu Nkenfou,1,2 Barbara Atogho Tiedeu,1,2 Celine Nguefeu Nkenfou,3–5 Akindeh M Nji,1,2 Jean Paul Chedjou,1,2 Calvino Tah Fomboh,2,6 Charles Kouanfack,7,8 Wilfred F Mbacham1,2,91Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 2The Biotechnology Center, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 3Systems Biology, Chantal Biya’ International Reference Centre for Research on HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management (CBIRC), Yaoundé, Cameroon; 4Department of Biology, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 5Molecular Biology Center Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 6Catholic University of Yaoundé (UCAC), Yaoundé, Cameroon; 7Day Care Unit, Central Hospital Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 8Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon; 9Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, CameroonCorrespondence: Wilfred F MbachamLaboratory for Public Health Research Biotechnologies, Biotechnology Center (BTC), P.O. Box 3851, Nkolbisson, Yaounde, CameroonTel +237-677579180Email wfmbacham@yahoo.comPurpose: The metabolism of antiretroviral drugs is subject to individual variations of the CYP 2B6 gene. The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of CYP 2B6 516 G>T and 983 T>C polymorphisms and investigate their association with the development of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in people living with HIV/AIDS in Cameroon.Patients and methods: A total number of 122 patients, attending the Yaoundé Central Hospital HIV Day Clinic, consented to take part in this study. Blood specimens were collected and DNA was extracted using the Chelex method. Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) was performed for the detection of CYP 2B6 Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs). Genotype frequencies were compared between groups with or without ADRs. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess association between genotype and adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART).Results: Three types of metabolizers were identified: extensive, intermediate and slow. For the 516G>T polymorphism, prevalences of 8.2% GG, 65.6% GT and 26.2% TT were obtained. For the 983T>C polymorphism, 89.3% TT, 4.1% CT and 6.6% CC prevalences were obtained. Those homozygous for the wild-type allele (516GG) were less likely to develop ADR with a statistically significant difference (OR=0.885, P=0.029). For the CYP2B6 T983C SNP, homozygous mutants (CC) may present a higher risk (threefold) of developing adverse reactions (OR=2.677, P=0.164).Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that ADRs among HIV/AIDS patients under ART may be associated with the genetic variability of the metabolizing enzyme CYP 2B6. Genotyping for this gene may guide the better administration of Efavirenz and Nevirapine to Cameroonian patients.Keywords: CYP 2B6 polymorphisms, association, adverse drug reactions, HIV/AIDS

Marie Nicole Ngoufack,1,2 Céline Nguefeu Nkenfou,2,3 Barbara Atogho Tiedeu,1 Linda Chapdeleine Mekue Mouafo,2,4 Beatrice Dambaya,2,5 Elvis Ndukong Ndzi,2,4 Charles Kouanfack,6 Georges Nguefack-Tsague,7 Wilfred Fon Mbacham,1 Alexis Ndjolo2 1Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 2Systems Biology, Chantal Biya’ International Reference Centre for Research on HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management (CBIRC), Yaoundé, Cameroon; 3Department of Biology, Higher Teachers’ Training College, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 4Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon; 5Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon; 6Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Dschang, Dschang, Cameroon; 7Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, CameroonCorrespondence: Céline Nguefeu NkenfouLaboratory of Systems Biology “Chantal Biya” International Reference Centre for Research on HIV and AIDS Prevention and Management (CBIRC), P.O. Box 3077, Messa, Yaoundé, CameroonTel +237 675 57 35 19Fax +237 222 3154 56Email nkenfou@yahoo.comBackground and objectives: The association of chemokine receptor-2 (CCR2) polymorphism with HIV transmission or disease progression remains highly controversial. The role of CCR2-64I allele in HIV infection may differ from one population to another because of their genetic background. The objectives of this study were to characterize the CCR2 genetic polymorphism and to determine its potential effect in HIV acquisition in children living in the Northern Region of Cameroon.Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in five health facilities in the Northern region of Cameroon. DNA was extracted from the Buffy coat of each participant using the QIAamp®DNA mini kit. The DNA extract was then subjected to polymorphic analyses. CCR2 genotypes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). The Chi-Squared test was used for the assessment of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium.Results: A total of 134 children under 15 years comprised of 38 HIV-exposed infected (28.36%) and 96 HIV-exposed un-infected (71.64%) participants were recruited. Prevalences of 44.78% wild type homozygous, 48.52% heterozygous and 6.7% mutant homozygous alleles were found in the overall population. An allelic frequency of 29.69% for the mutant allele CCR2-64I was found in HIV-exposed un-infected individuals as compared to 34.21% in HIV-infected children (p=0.47).Conclusion: The CCR2-64I allele is relatively common in the Northern Region of Cameroon, with a similar distribution among HIV-exposed un-infected and infected children. As this allele alone does not seem to confer protection against HIV-1 infection, further studies using genotype-combination of CCR2 polymorphism and other single nucleotide polymorphisms would be of great relevance in both HIV prevention and novel therapeutic strategies.Keywords: HIV acquisition, CCR2 gene, pediatric population