ABSTRACT
Introduction: Nearly 15% couples trying to conceive areaffected by infertility, and male infertility affects nearly50% of these. Majority of the men have no apparent reasonfor infertility. Tobacco smoking and alcohol intake areavoidable factors which may affect male fertility. This studyaimed to evaluate the impact of tobacco smoking and alcoholconsumption on serum follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)and testosterone levels and on semen microscopy parametersin male partners of infertile couples.Material and Methods: This cross sectional descriptivestudy, included male partners of couples presenting withinfertility at a rural tertiary teaching hospital. Exposure torisk factors was recorded. Serum FSH and testosterone levelsand semen microscopy for sperm concentration, progressivemotility and morphology were evaluated.Results: In the 98 subjects, mean FSH levels, testosteronelevels, sperm concentration and sperm progressive motilitywere significantly lower in smokers (P=0.001, 0.002, 0.005,0.003 respectively). Same parameters were significantly lowerin alcoholics (P<0.001). Smokers had significantly higherodds of abnormal testosterone levels. Alcohol consumershad significantly higher odds of low FSH levels, abnormaltestosterone levels, oligozoospermia and asthenozoospermia.Conclusions: Smoking and alcoholism may be significantcontributors to male infertility. More efforts to inform theyouth about effects of smoking and alcoholism on fertility arerequired.
ABSTRACT
Background: Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD) is the major challenge in the new millennium in the developing countries as the size of elderly population continues to rise due to betterment of medical facilities and increased life expectancy. Lipids are implicated in the pathogenesis of ARMD. The relationship between systemic lipids and ARMD has not been well characterized, especially in rural population. The objective was to investigate the relationship between serum lipids and ARMD in older adults.Methods: In this case-control study, 300 adults, aged ≥50 years, 150 each among cases and controls were included in the study. Mean lipids values between cases and controls were compared.Results: Mean age of cases was 62.45±8.472 years and mean age of controls was 61.89±8.51 years. Among 150 cases, 124 (82.66%) cases were of dry ARMD while 26 (17.33%) cases were Wet ARMD. Author found that 38 cases among total cases (25.33%) and 15 individuals (10%) among controls had altered lipid profile. All mean lipid values were higher among cases compare to controls (p>0.05), while the mean of VLDL, TG and TG/HDL were significantly raised showing positive association (p<0.05).Conclusions: Present study showed that high levels of serum lipid values especially VLDL, TG and TG/HDL positive association with an increased risk for development of ARMD, implying that strategies reducing serum lipid levels may be useful to prevent the development of the disease.
ABSTRACT
Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional disorders worldwide, affecting people of all ages in developed and developing countries. causes dimunition of various antioxidant enzymes like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase. The objective of the study was to detect impact of iron supplementation in anaemic & non- anaemic pregnant subjects on oxidative stress. Patients are divided into two groups, Control groups (60 non-anemic pregnant women) & Study groups (60 anemic pregnant women). The blood sample (5 ml) was collected from different groups of subjects. In controls groups, a fall in catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were seen while lipid peroxidase was found to have increased significantly after iron therapy. In study group, and increment in all markers except lipid peroxidase was seen and the level of lipid peroxidase was decreased following iron supplementation which was statistically significant (p<0.001). it may be concluded that iron deficiency anaemia is associated with free radical generation and peroxidation of vital body molecules which implies increased risk for pregnant women.
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Free radicals and the oxidative stress have been implicated in a large number of chronic disorders such as Diabetes mellitus and its late complications, Cardio vascular disease, Arthritis also in some acute conditions such as the hemolytic disease in Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G 6 PD) deficiency, where free radicals play a direct cytotoxic role causing cellular damage. Various exogenous substances have been found to be of great use for the purpose of scavenging free radicals. These includes micro nutrients such as vitamins eg. Vit C, Vit A etc or other dietary agents polyphenols, flavenols, tannins etc. In traditional medicine certain food items and their extracts are considered useful in combating conditions such as diabetes mellitus, Cardio vascular diseases etc and their long term complications that are caused by oxidative stress. Nigella Sativa seeds are one such condiment used in food in south east, central Asia and middle east and also used in ancient Indian (Ayurveda) and Greeko-arabic (Unani) systems of medicine. Material and Method: The objective of this study is to quantify the free radical scavenging and Cytoprotective effects of ethanolic extract of Nigella Sativa seeds. To measure the free radical scavenging activity DPPH free radical scavenging assay was used. To measure cyto-protective effects of Nigella Sativa seed extract, an AAPH assay was used with the Cyto-protective effect being measured on RBCs (Red blood cells) suspended in PBS buffer. Results: In the DPPH assay the ethanolic extract of Nigella Sativa seeds showed significant free radical scavenging activity. The activity was concentration dependent. Conclusion: In AAPH RBC lysis assay the ethanolic extract of Nigella Sativa seeds did show considerable protective effect against AAPH induced RBC lysis. Once again the activity was concentration dependent.
ABSTRACT
The present study was carried out to explore the anti-diabetic, anti-dyslipoproteinemic and anti-oxidant activities of Anthocephalus indicus root extract in alloxan-induced (150 mg/kg body wt.) diabetic rats. A marked increase in plasma levels of glucose and lipid peroxides accompanied with an elevation in the lipids and apoprotein levels of serum very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) following decrease in lipid and protein constituents of high density lipoprotein (HDL) were observed. The alterations in lipoprotein pattern was associated with inhibition of lipolytic and antioxidant enzymes. Oral administration of root extract (500 mg/kg body wt.) for 30 days in dyslipidemic animals resulted in significant decrease in plasma glucose, total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglyceride and lipid peroxides. The decrease of lipids and apoprotein levels of VLDL and LDL were followed by stimulation of plasma post-heparin lipolytic activity and lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase as well as hepatic superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Lipid and apoprotein levels of HDL were also recovered partially on treatment with root extract.