Evaluation of Selected Biominerals in Post-Menopausal Women in Nnewi, South-East Nigeria

Abstract

Background: The post-menopausal state, as a feminine physiological aging event, may have effects on the homeostatic mechanisms of some biominerals, which can be inimical to bone health and may result to osteoporosis. There seems to be paucity of data on this important public health challenge among South-Eastern Nigeria Women. Objectives: The present study evaluated the levels of the biominerals calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn) and selenium (Se) and their association with osteoporosis, among post-menopausal women in Nnewi, South-East, Nigeria. Methods: Thirty (30) post-menopausal women aged 49-60years, 30 peri-menopausal women aged 44-48 years, and 25 pre-menopausal subjects, aged 20-34 years, which served as controls, were recruited from patients attending the out-patient and obstetrics and gynaecology clinics of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi and apparently healthy subjects within NAUTH suburb, between June and September, 2023. Serum samples collected from the participants were analyzed for Mg, Zn, and Se, using fast-sequential atomic absorption spectrometry (AA 220/FS) while Ca, and inorganic phosphate were measured by photometric methods. Results: Results showed that serum Mg was significantly lower in post-menopausal subjects compared with their corresponding pre-menopausal counterparts (0.73+ 0.26) (P = 0.020). On the other hand, serum Se and Zn levels were significantly higher in post-menopausal subjects (168.70 + 58.98) and (19.66 + 5.67) compared with their corresponding control values (118.16 + 14.00 and 14.72 + 2.83) (P = 0.000, Cl = 95%). Additionally, a higher serum Ca level was observed in the post- menopausal subjects compared with their pre-menopausal counterparts (2.38+0.14 and (2.36+0.17). However, this difference was not significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: The study opines that post-menopausal hypomagnesemia can occur and may be linked to osteoporosis. The present study also demonstrates that Zn and Se, which are metallo-enzymes of the antioxidants -superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase, may be elevated in the post-menopausal state. Therefore, a routine monitoring of these important biominerals in the post-menopausal population and larger population-based prospective studies involving nutritional interventions are recommended.