ABSTRACT
Objective: This study was designed to examine the effect of metabolic syndrome [MetS] on health-related quality of life [HRQOL] in patients with suspected nonalcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]
Subjects and Methods: Three hundred thirty-two patients [236 males and 96 females] with suspected NASH from the Amol cohort study were included in this study. MetS was diagnosed based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria and HRQOL was measured using the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey [SF-12] questionnaire [with 8 subscales and 2 summary components]. A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the independent effect of MetS on HRQOL
Results: The mean age of the study population was 42 +/- 13 years [range 18-82]. The prevalence of MetS was 43.4% [n = 144] and the mean scores on the Physical Component Summary [PCS] and the Mental Component Summary were 72.4 +/- 20.86 and 42.7 +/- 12.42, respectively. The multivariable linear regression model showed that MetS was negatively associated with 4 subscales of HRQOL that included: role limitations due to physical problems [RP] [B = -14.05, p = 0.004], bodily pain [BP] [B = -7.37, p = 0.02], vitality [VT] [B = -7.72, p = 0.022], and role limitations due to emotional problems [RE] [B = -12.67, p = 0.005] after adjustment for other variables. Also, MetS had a borderline association with the general health and mental health subscales and the PCS [p < 0.1]
Conclusion: In this study, there was a strong association between MetS and 4 subscales [RP, BP, VT, and RE] of HRQOL in patients with suspected NASH; this could be considered as a part of health policy to improve general health
ABSTRACT
Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome [PCOS] is the most common endocrine disorder in women which affect fertility. Clomiphene citrate is used as first-line treatment for this disorder, which is associated with some complications and therapeutic resistance
Objective: In this research, we compare the effectiveness of ginger with clomiphene on sexual hormones such as Luteinizing hormone [LH], Follicle-stimulating hormone [FSH], estrogen and progesterone in order to treat PCOS effectively with fewer side effects
Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 63 adult female rats [170-200 gr] were studied and divided randomly into 9 groups as control [not received any interventional substance for 60 and 89 days], sham [were given distilled water and ethyl alcohol intraperitoneally daily for 60 and 89 days], and 7 experimental groups receiving estradiol valerate [PCOS inducing agent, intramuscular] alone and with 100 mg/kg clomiphene or different doses of ginger extract [175 and 350 mg/kg] orally daily for 60 and 89 days. Sexual hormones were analyzed and compared in different groups
Results: Our results showed that in the PCOS-induced group, LH and estrogen concentration increased while progesterone and FSH concentration decreased remarkably [p<0.05] as compared to control group. Furthermore, in groups receiving clomiphene and ginger extract, we demonstrated significant [p<0.05] improvement in hormonal secretion as compared to the PCOS-induced group. Clomiphene, compared with the lower dose of ginger extract, had a better improving effect on balancing sexual hormones in PCOS. Moreover, ginger extract at higher doses has better effects in improving PCOS
Conclusion: As the long-term administration of clomiphene citrate has some side effects, the use of ginger as a herbal medicine without any side effects at high doses can be an effective and good alternative in improving PCOS
ABSTRACT
Background: Plants have various defense mechanisms such as production of antimicrobial peptides, particularly pathogenesis related proteins [PR proteins]. PR10 family is an essential member of this group, with antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral activities
Objective: The goal of this study is to assess the antifungal activity of maize PR10 against some of fungal phytopathogens
Materials and Methods: Zea mays PR10 gene [TN-05-147] was cloned from genomic DNA and cDNA and overexpressed in Escherichia coli. The existence of a 77- bp intron and two exons in PR10 was confirmed by comparing the genomic and cDNA sequences. The PR10 cDNA was cloned in pET26b [+] expression vector and transformed into E. coli strain Rosetta DE3 in order to express PR10 recombinant protein. Expression of the recombinant protein was checked by western analysis. Recombinant PR10 appeared as insoluble inclusion bodies and thus solubilized and refolded. PR10 was isolated using Ni-NTA column. The activity of the refolded protein was confirmed by DNA degradation test. The antifungal activity of PR10 was assessed using radial diffusion, disc diffusion and spore germination. The hemolytic assay was performed to investigate the biosafety of recombinant PR10
Results: Recombinant maize PR10 exerted broad spectrum antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, Fusarium oxysporum, Verticillium dahlia and Alternaria solani. Hemolysis biosafety test indicated that the protein is not poisonous to mammalian cells
Conclusions: Maize PR10 has the potential to be used as the antifungal agent against different fungal phytopathogens. Therefore, this protein can be used in order to produce antifungal agents and fungi resistance transgenic plants