[Effect of red onion intake on serum uric acid, lipid profile and paraxonase activity in hyperuricemic rats]

Hyperuricemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by an increase in serum uric acid levels and Reactive Oxigen Species production, and considered as a risk factor for gout and oxidative stress- induced diseases. The antioxidant effect of dietary polyphenols in control and decreasing of oxidative damage have been confirmed previously, therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the effect of red onion intake on serum uric acid levels, lipid profile and paraxonase activity in hyperuricemic rats. In this experimental- interventional study, 24 male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, hyperuricemic, normal and hyperuricemic rats receiving onion. Hyperuricemia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of 250mg/kg potassium oxonate. Onion was administrated by oral gavage at dose 5g/kg. The intervention took 2 weeks. At the end of study, serum uric acid levels, Lipid profile and paraxonase activity were determined and data was statistically analyzed. In healthy rats, effect of onion intake on serum uric acid levels and lipid profile were not statistically significant, but paraxonase activity was increased significant in comparison to healthy control group. The intervention in hyperuricemic rats caused to a significant decrease in uric acid levels and significant increase in paraxonase activity in comparison to hyperuri- cemic control rats. There was a significant positive correlation between paraxonase activity and HDL-C, and significant reverse correlation between paraxonase activity and uric acid concentrations [p<0.05]. Onion intake by decreasing of uric acid levels and increasing of paraxonase activity could be effective in control of hyperuricemia and improvement of antioxidant capacity in hyperuricemic rats

[Prevalence and severity of primary dysmenorrhea and its relation to anthropometric parameters]

Primary dysmenorrhea is a common medical disorder in young women that affects their quality of life. According to the research studies, overweight and obesity increase biosynthesis of the prostaglandin; and consequently increase the severity of dysmenorrhea. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence and severity of primary dismenorrhea and its relation to anthropometric parameters. In this descriptive-analytical study, 388 students from Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences were selected using random cluster sampling. Demographic data were collected using a questionnaire. The height and weight, BMI, fat mass, waist and hip circumferences, waist to hip ratio [WHR] and waist to height ratio [WHtR] were measured. Visual Analogue Scale [VAS] was used to evaluate the severity of dysmenorrhea. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation test. The p<0.05 was considered to be significant. Mean age of the participants was 20.7 +/- 1.8 years. The mean age at menarche was 13.4 +/- 1.2 years. Moderate or severe dysmenorrheal were experienced by 71.65% of the participants. The severity of dysmenorrhea was significantly related to body fat mass, waist circumference, hip circumference and WHtR [P<0.05]. However, there was no significant relationship between the severity of dysmenorrhea with weight or BMI. Anthropometric parameters that are associated with central obesity such as waist circumference and WHtR are more related to the severity of dysmenorrhea. Increased visceral fat mass is a more effective predictor for dysmenorrhea. More studies are needed to clarify these relationships