Resveratrol downregulates TGF-β1 and Smad3 expression and attenuates oxidative stress in CCl

Objective: To evaluate the effect of resveratrol against CCl

Activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 in follicular fluid and seminal plasma and its relation to embryo quality and fertilization rate

Background: the purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of matrix metalloproteinase 2 [MMP-2] and 9 [MMP-9] in follicular fluid and seminal plasma and the correlation of their activities with parameters that are important in successful intracytoplasmic sperm injection [ICSI]

Methods: seventy-four infertile couples admitted to the Research Center for Endometrium and Endometriosis to carry out ICSI method were enrolled in this study. Follicular fluid was collected after retrieving the oocyte. In addition, semen samples were collected and seminal plasma was used for determination of MMP2 and MMP- 9 activity. Gelatin zymography electrophoresis was applied to measure MMPs activities in follicular fluid and seminal plasma

Results: in follicular fluid, there was a positive correlation between MMP-2 activity with oocyte [r=0.27, p=0.021] or embryo quality [r=0.30, p=0.014], but no correlation was observed between MMP-2 activity and oocyte count or fertilization. Activity of MMP-9 showed positive correlation with oocyte morphology [r=0.29, p= 0.014]. In addition, MMP-2 activity of seminal plasma had positive correlation with sperm count [r=0.28, p=0.015], fertilization [r=0.28, p=0.02], and embryo quality [r=0.28, r=0.026]

Conclusion: MMP2 and MMP9 activities in seminal plasma have a positive effect on sperm count and motility. MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity in follicular fluid and seminal plasma could be important factors in embryo quality in patients undergoing ICSI and may affect the outcome of ICSI

Gene polymorphism of matrix metalloproteinase 9 in asthenozoospermic male subjects

Background: Matrix metalloproteinase [MMPs] play important roles in the structural and functional properties of reproductive organs. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of C-1562T MMP-9 [rs3918242] gene polymorphism in fertile and infertile men. In addition, we aim to determine the association between C-1562T MMP-9 and G-1575A MMP-2 gene polymorphisms

Materials and Methods: A total of 400 subjects, including 200 fertile and 200 infertile men, were recruited for this case control study. The allele frequencies and genotype distributions of single nucleotide polymorphism in the promoter regions of MMP-9 [C-1562T] were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] analysis. The chi-square [?2] test was used to assess the distribution of genotype frequencies

Results: There were no significant differences found in the genotype distributions or allele frequencies between fertile and infertile men for the C-1562T MMP-9 gene polymorphism. The percent of immotile sperm in infertile men with the CC and CT genotypes of C-1562T MMP-9 gene polymorphism significantly differed compared with that of subjects with the TT genotype. The frequency of CC/GA-combined genotypes of C-1562T MMP-9 and G-1575A MMP-2 gene polymorphisms significantly differed in fertile and infertile men [P=0.031]

Conclusion: Our results suggest that genetic polymorphisms in MMP may impact male fertility

Dill tablet: A potential antioxidant and anti-diabetic medicine

Objective: To evaluate the antiglycation and antioxidant properties of the dill tablet, an herbal product used in Iran as a hypolipidemic medicine. Methods: In this descriptive study, the antioxidant and antiradical properties of dill tablet at different concentration (0.032, 0.065, 0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mg/mL) were measured. The total phenolic, flavonols and flavonoid, alkaloids, anthocyanin, tannin and saponin contents in dill tablet were determined. Furthermore, antiglycation properties of dill tablet were assayed. In the in vivo experiments, male rats were randomly divided into three groups (n = 6): Group 1: normal rats; Group 2: diabetic rats; Group 3: diabetic rats + 300 mg/kg dill tablet, and Group 4: diabetic rats + 100 mg/kg dill tablet. After 2 months, the blood glucose was measured enzymatically and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) formation was determined using a fluorometric method. Results: Our results illustrated that different concentrations of dill tablet had significant antioxidant activity. Dill tablet markedly declined AGEs formation and fructosamine levels (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. Oxidation of protein carbonyl and thiol group was significantly reduced by dill tablet in a dose dependent manner (P < 0.001). Formation of amyloid cross-β and fragmentation were markedly inhibited by dill tablet (P < 0.001) compared with glycated sample. After 2 months, fasting blood glucose levels (P < 0.001) and AGEs formation (P < 0.05) were significantly reduced by dill tablet in diabetic animals. Conclusions: Dill tablet exhibited significant antiglycation and antioxidant activities. This study provides a scientific basis for using dill in treatment of diabetic patients.

Circulating Betatrophin Levels Are Associated with the Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes / 전남의대학술지

Betatrophin is a newly characterized circulating hormone that is produced in tissues such as adipose tissue and liver and stimulates pancreatic beta-cell proliferation. The purpose of the current study was to examine circulating betatrophin levels in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in normal controls. Seventy-five subjects were enrolled in this case-control study in the following two groups: T2DM patients (n=40) and a group of age-, sex-, and BMI-matched normal control subjects (n=35). Circulating betatrophin concentrations as well as the blood lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin resistance were determined. Circulating betatrophin levels were significantly higher in patients with T2DM than in the normal subjects (4.79+/-1.53 ng/mL vs. 2.79+/-1.11 ng/mL respectively; p=0.001). Serum triacylglycerol and total cholesterol were also significantly higher in patients with T2DM than in the control group. In the patients with T2DM, serum betatrophin was positively correlated with age, FBS, TG, total cholesterol, and HbA1c. The results of this initial study in Iran have shown that circulating betatrophin levels are significantly increased in Iranian patients with T2DM compared with a control group. Additionally, it is postulated that betatrophin as a novel hormone may be involved in the generation of an atherogenic lipid profile.

Comparisons between two antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene and glutathione supplemented cryopreservation medium on human sperm DNA integrity

Introduction: Cryopreservation of semen is routinely used in a variety of circumstances including before assisted reproduction treatments, pre- radiation or chemotherapy treatment and etc. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of Butylated hydroxytoluene [BHT] and Glutathione supplemented cryopreservation medium on sperm parameters and amount of DNA fragmentation during the freeze-thaw process

Methods: Semen samples were obtained from 60 donors. After the determination of basic parameters, groups of three sample with similar parameters were pooled and processed by Pure Sperm gradient centrifugation. The semen samples were then diluted with normal freezing medium [control] or a medium containing 5mM glutathione [test] and 0.5 mM BHT [test] stored in liquid nitrogen. Frozen cryovials were thawed individually for 20 seconds in a water bath [37 degree C] for evaluation

Results: Significant differences were observed in motility, viability and DNA fragmentation. Motility and viability were significantly higher in treated groups with 0.5 Mm in 5 min BHT than the control group and Glutathione 5mM [P<0.001]

Conclusion: Significant differences were observed in motility, viability and DNA fragmentation. Motility and viability were significantly higher in treated groups with 0.5 Mm in 5 min BHT than the control group and Glutathione 5mM [P<0.001]

Circulating Betatrophin Levels Are Associated with the Lipid Profile in Type 2 Diabetes / 전남의대학술지

Betatrophin is a newly characterized circulating hormone that is produced in tissues such as adipose tissue and liver and stimulates pancreatic beta-cell proliferation. The purpose of the current study was to examine circulating betatrophin levels in Iranian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in normal controls. Seventy-five subjects were enrolled in this case-control study in the following two groups: T2DM patients (n=40) and a group of age-, sex-, and BMI-matched normal control subjects (n=35). Circulating betatrophin concentrations as well as the blood lipid profile, body mass index (BMI), fasting blood sugar (FBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and insulin resistance were determined. Circulating betatrophin levels were significantly higher in patients with T2DM than in the normal subjects (4.79+/-1.53 ng/mL vs. 2.79+/-1.11 ng/mL respectively; p=0.001). Serum triacylglycerol and total cholesterol were also significantly higher in patients with T2DM than in the control group. In the patients with T2DM, serum betatrophin was positively correlated with age, FBS, TG, total cholesterol, and HbA1c. The results of this initial study in Iran have shown that circulating betatrophin levels are significantly increased in Iranian patients with T2DM compared with a control group. Additionally, it is postulated that betatrophin as a novel hormone may be involved in the generation of an atherogenic lipid profile.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene Glu298Asp polymorphism in patients with coronary artery disease

Endo-derived nitric oxide [NO] is synthesized from L-arginine by endothelial nitric oxide synthase [NOS3]. Since reduced NO synthesis in endothelial cells has been implicated in the development of coronary atherosclerosis, we investigated the association of NOS3 gene polymorphisms and coronary artery disease [CAD] in an Iranian population. We studied the NOS3 gene Glu298Asp polymorphism in 241 CAD patients with positive coronary angiograms [i.e., >50% stenosis affecting at least one coronary vessel] in Shahid Rajaee Heart Hospital and 261 control subjects without a history of symptomatic CAD. The NOS3 gene polymorphism was analyzed by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. Lipid profile and other risk factors were also determined. The genotype frequencies of Glu298Asp polymorphism for Glu/Glu, Glu/Asp, and Asp/Asp were 61.3%, 32.2%, and 6.5%, respectively, in control subjects, and 46.5%, 42.7%, and 10.8% in CAD patients, respectively. The genotype frequencies differed significantly between the two groups [P=.003]. The frequencies of the Asp alleles were 32.2% and 22.6% for CAD patients and control subjects, respectively; the difference between the two groups was statistically significant [P=.001; odds ratio=1.6]. Plasma lipids, except HDL-C, were also significantly increased in the CAD groups. These results suggest that CAD is associated with Glu298Asp polymorphism of the NOS3 gene in our population and that this polymorphism is an independent risk factor for CAD