Post interferon therapy decreases male fertility through gonadotoxic effect

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] has been seen in more than 15% of Pakistani population. For the treatment of this infection, only two medicines, interferon, and ribavirin were approved in 1998. The concerned physicians evaluate side effects of these two antiviral drugs only during the treatment period. The long-term extra hepatic side effects are being neglected. This retrospective study was conducted with reference to induced infertility in HCV treated 40 male patients from the period 2008-2015. Possible effects of interferon therapy on fertility hormones and seminal parameters were assessed. Level of fertility hormones like serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone [FSH], Luteinizing Hormone [LH], and testosterone was measured. For seminal parameters, guidelines from World Health Organization [WHO] were followed. Among forty cases of HCV patients who received interferon, only 14 [35%] have children and 26 [65%] could not conceive [p = 0.0372]. After HCV treatment, HCV positive patients showed a significant change in the level of FSH, LH [p<0.05]. Especially, it decreased testosterone level [p=0.0096]. Similarly, HCV treatment significantly decreased sperm count [p = 0.001] and motility [p = 0.0005]

Determination of anti-oxidative, anti-microbial activity and heavy metal contents of Leucoagaricus leucothites

Mushrooms, a treasure of diverse bioactive scaffolds, have been widely admired due to their nutritional and medicinal significance all over the world. The current study intended to evaluate the therapeutic potentiality of an edible mushroom, Leucoagaricus leucothites [Vittad.] Wasser. Thus, anti-oxidant potential of L. leucothites was determined using DPPH assay and for the determination of anti-microbial potential agar dilution procedure was followed. TOS [total oxidant status], TAS [total anti-oxidant status], and OSI [oxidative stress index] values were evaluated utilizing Rel Assay Kits. For the assessment of heavy metal contents, wet decomposition approach with atomic absorption spectrophotometry was adopted. Screening of phytochemicals present in ethanolic extract of L. leucothites were determined by HPLC. TAS, TOS and OSI values were found to be 8.291mmol/L, 10.797ìmol/L and 0.130 respectively. Our results declared that heavy metal contents are generally in the safe range. Phytochemical analysis of L. leucothites has affirmed the presence of important phenolics such as gallic acid, catechin, and hesperidin. Investigations on antioxidant and anti-microbial potential of L. leucothites has uncovered the fact that this naturally occurring, biologically active, and therapeutically effective mushroom specie has natural borne anti-oxidant and anti-microbial potential and it would be worthwhile to use it for nutritional as well as medicinal purpose

Mesh fixation vs. non-fixation in total extra peritoneal mesh hernioplasty

To compare mesh fixation with non-fixation and its effect on outcome. The interventional prospective study was conducted at the National Hospital and Medical Centre, Lahore from January 2007 to December 2008. After the two-year intervention period, the patients were followed up for 5 years. The selected patients were divided into two groups. In group 1, mesh fixation was performed with metal non-absorbable tackers and in group II no fixation of mesh was performed. Patients were followed up at 6, 12, 24 and 60 months. Of the 63 patients in the study, 32[50.7%] were in group I and 31[49.2% in group II. The Mean pain score in group I was 4.7 +/- 0.683 and 4.1 +/- 0.860 in group II [p< 0.001]. Urinary retention was more common in group 1 [p>0.05], while recurrence was more common in group II [p>0.05]. Pain was significantly less in the non-fixation group, while urinary retention and recurrence were not significantly increased. Non-fixation is a viable option for total extraperitoneal mesh hernioplasty and should be preferred over mesh fixation