relationship between plasma antioxidant enzymes activity and sex hormones during the menstrual cycle

There is increasing evidence for the role of oxidative stress in female reproductive tract. The purpose of this study was to determine the activity of antioxidant enzymes during menstrual cycle. In addition, the relationship between activity of antioxidant enzyme and sex hormones was evaluated. In this study the activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity during the menses, follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in twenty women with regular menstrual cycle were studied. Furthermore, the correlation between activity of antioxidant enzymes and estradiol, progesterone, LH, FSH and testosterone were evaluated, There was no significant difference between activity of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase and total antioxidant capacity during the menses, follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle [P>0.05]. We found significant correlation, in luteal phase, between superoxide dismutase and FSH [P<0.05

[Correlation of serum pro-inflammatory [IL 6] and anti-inflammatory [IL 10] interleukine levels with fatty acid composition of dietary oils in rats]

Nowadays, proposing dietary recommendations to regulate serum inflammatory mediators is of immense importance. This study is designed to evaluate the effects of different commercial dietary oils which have more complicated effects than pure fatty acids on serum levels of interleukins IL 6 and IL 10. In this experimental animal study, 40 male rats were divided into 5 groups and received standard chow diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3[rd] week, four rats from each of the 5 groups were sacrificed and blood samples were collected. The remaining rats then received chow diet or an experimental diet containing yogurt butter, olive oil, soybean oil, or flaxseed oil for another 4 weeks. Then, blood samples were collected and serum fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography and serum levels of interleukins were obtained by use of ELISA kits. We used variance analysis for comparison of the mean values and regression analysis for assessment of correlation among variables. Consumption of yogurt butter and soybean oil significantly increased serum level of IL 6, whereas IL 10 level increased after consumption of flaxseed oil [p<0.05]. Increase in serum n-6 PUFA, led to a notable increase in IL 6 concentration, but increase in serum MUFA gave rise to decreased IL 6 level. A direct relationship was observed between the levels of arachidonic acid and IL 6. In addition, the level of IL 6 decreased when serum decosahexaenoic acid increased. We showed that composition of serum fatty acids can modulate concentrations of the interleukins. Using oils containing n-6 PUFA led to generation of pro inflammatory mediators, but oils containing n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids showed anti inflammatory effects.

[Different effects of dietary fats on serum fatty acid composition and lipid profile in rat]

The correlation between dietary fat and coronary heart disease [CHD] has been clearly established. This study was designed to investigate the effects of different dietary oils on serum fatty acid composition and lipid profile in rats. In this experimental study, 40 male rats were assigned to 5 groups and received standard chow diet for 3 weeks. At the end of the 3rd week, blood samples were obtained from four rats in every group. The remaining rats received standard chow diet or experimental diet [chow diet supplemented with yogurt butter, olive oil, soybean oil, or flaxseed oil for another 4 weeks. Serum fatty acid composition was analyzed by gas chromatography whereas serum lipids were determined by use of enzyme kits. Total saturated, monounsaturated, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids [PUFA] were significantly higher in the rats which received yogurt butter, olive, soybean, and flaxseed oils, respectively. In addition, consumption of olive, soybean, and flaxseed oil markedly increased total unsaturated fatty acids. There was a significant increase in total PUFA after consumption of soybean or flaxseed oils in comparison to yogurt butter. A marked reduction was observed in n 6:n 3 PUFA ratio in the rats that consumed flaxseed oil. Serum triglycerides significantly decreased after consumption of olive, soybean, and flaxseed oils, whereas no change was observed in the total cholesterol. Olive oil and yogurt butter consumption led to increased HDL-C, but a noticeable decrease occurred in LDL-C in the rats of all test groups. Different dietary oils differentially affect serum fatty acid composition and serum lipid profiles

[Comparison of adenosine deaminase serum level in COPD patients and healthy subjects]

Global initiative for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [Gold] has defined COPD as a disease characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. COPD is a subset of obstructive lung diseases which also includes cystic fibrosis, bronchitis and asthma. Adenosine deaminase [ADA, E.C.3.5.4.4] converts adenosine to inosine. ADA has two isoenzymes; ADA1 and ADA2. In COPD patients the serum level of ADA increases which can be regarded as a result of reduction in ADA activity. In this study we evaluated the level of ADA and its isoenzymes in COPD patients and healthy subjects. This was a case control study. ADA activity in 30 COPD patients with age range of 20-60 years whose disease had been confirmed by a pulmonologist in Ekbatan Hospital, was compared to the activity of the same enzyme in 60 healthy subjects consisting of 30 non smoker and 30 smoker subjects as control groups. Data were introduced into SPSS version.13 software and analyzed by Kruskall-Wallis and two-way ANOVA tests. ADA activity in the COPD and smoker control groups was significantly lower than that of non smoker group [18.99 +/- 7 and 22.99 +/- 6.7 U/L, respectively]. Regarding ADA2 serum level, the difference between patient group and non smoker control group was significant [P<0.05]. Activity of ADA1 isoenzyme in the study groups did not show any significant differences. In general ADA activity was decreased in COPD patients. Decreased ADA activity together with increased adenosine level may play an important role in producing pulmonary damage in COPD patients