[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

[Effect of isolated soy protien on prevention of rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced rats]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of isolated soy protein on prevention of rheumatoid arthritis in collagen-induced rats. A total of 24 female Sprague-Dawley rats [body weights: 180-200g] were randomly divided into four equal groups including normal; control of rheumatoid arthritis; rheumatoid arthritis + isolated soy protein [7g/kg]; rheumatoid arthritis + dexamethasone [1mg/kg]. Experimentally rheumatoid arthritis in rats was induced by subcutaneous injection of collagen II emolsified in Incomplete Frund s Adjuvant in days 1 and 7. Treatments were gavaged to animals for 30 days, once a day. The severity of rheumatoid arthritis symptoms in paws were daily measured in double blind format by standard method. The statistical comparison between the experimental groups was performed by Independent -samples t- test and One-Way ANOVA using SPSS software. The clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis started from day 17.4 +/- 2.4, 20 +/- 4 and 14.1 +/- 1.9 in isolated soy protein, dexamethasone and control groups, respectively [P<0.05]. The severity of clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis on day 30 was 3.84 +/- 2.04, 2 +/- 1.78 and 6.5 +/- 1.76 in isolated soy protein, dexa methasone and control groups, respectively [p<0.05]. At the end of the study, the incidence rates of rheumatoid arthritis in isolated soy protein and control groups was 83.33% and 100%, respectively. Isolated soy protein decreased the severity of clinical symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, it could be a key factor in prevention and even treatment of rheumatoid arthritis