Antioxidant Effects of Brown Algae Sargassum on Sperm Parameters: CONSORT-Compliant Article.

The occurrence of oxidative stress during the sperm freeze-thaw cycles affects the sperm parameters and eventually leads to a decrease in its reproductive potential. Sperm protection against oxidative reactions during freezing is done by antioxidants. Since the selection of a suitable sperm cryopreservation bank is effective in maintaining acceptable reproductive potential and motility of sperm during cryopreservation.This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant effects of different doses of the extract of brown algae Sargassum on oxidative stress and frozen human sperm parameters.We conducted a randomized controlled trial on the semen samples from 11 healthy men in the age group of 25 to 36 years. The samples were collected by masturbation after 3 to 5 days of abstinence from ejaculation. The specimens were divided into 3 equal parts, including 1 control group and 2 experimental groups.The 2 experimental groups were frozen using the rapid solidification technique with Sargassum extract at doses of 250 and 500 µg/mL.Motility and morphology of sperms were measured using a computer system and CASA software and the amount of reactive oxygen species was determined using Oxisperm kit.Sargassum extract significantly decreased the amount of reactive oxygen species (P < 0.005) and at doses of 250 and 500 µg/mL, significantly increased the overall motility (P < 0.006) and progressive motility (P < 0.007) after solidification, but did not affect the normal morphology of sperms.The addition of ethanol extract of Sargassum prevents reactive oxygen species production during the solidification process and improves sperm motility at doses of 250 and 500 µg/mL.

Relationship between periodontal status and C-reactive protein and interleuckin-6 levels among atherosclerotic patients in Bandar Abbas, Iran in 2014.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have reported an association between periodontitis and cardiovascular diseases. Atherosclerosis is also a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. IL-6 and CRP are important inflammatory markers that are important because they have been shown to be higher when a patient has periodontitis, and they are related to atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between periodontitis and CRP and IL-6 in atherosclerotic patients. METHODS: The study population in this case control study was atherosclerotic patients in Bandar Abbas, Iran in 2014. The participants included 30 individuals with periodontal diseases and 30 individuals without periodontal diseases, and they were allocated into two groups according to probe depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). Inflammatory markers, including CRP and IL-6 were measured in the two groups. The data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 21 statistical software. Descriptive statistics, chi-squared, independent samples t-test, and Mann-Whitney tests were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Individuals with abnormal CRP had significantly higher PD and CAL than individuals with normal CRP (P<0.001). Although PD was not significantly different in individuals with normal and abnormal IL-6 (P=0.124), CAL was significantly higher in individuals with abnormal IL-6 than in the other individuals (P=0.005). CONCLUSION: The results of this study showed that CRP and IL-6 are associated with periodontal diseases in atherosclerotic patients. Treatment of periodontal diseases is recommended in atherosclerotic patients.

Thyroid dysfunction and autoantibodies association with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity are relatively common in reproductive age and have been associated with adverse health outcomes for both mother and child, including hypertensive disorders during pregnancy. Objective. To survey the relation between thyroid dysfunction and autoimmunity and incidence and severity of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders. METHOD: In this case control study 48 hypertensive patients in 4 subgroups (gestational hypertension, mild preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia, eclampsia) and 50 normotensive ones were studied. The samples were nulliparous and matched based on age and gestational age and none of them had previous history of hypertensive or thyroid disorders and other underlying systemic diseases or took medication that might affect thyroid function. Their venous blood samples were collected using electrochemiluminescence and ELISA method and thyroid hormones and TSH and autoantibodies were measured. RESULTS: Hypertensive patients had significant lower T3 concentration compared with normotensive ones with mean T3 values 152.5 ± 48.93 ng/dL, 175.36 ± 58.07 ng/dL respectively. Anti-TPO concentration is higher in control group 6.07 ± 9.02 IU/mL compared with 2.27 ± 2.94 IU/mL in cases. CONCLUSION: The severity of preeclampsia and eclampsia was not associated with thyroid function tests. The only significant value was low T3 level among pregnancy, induced hypertensive patients.

Can quality of life questionnaires be used in diabetics to assess the relation between HbA1c and patients' domain aspects?

Over the past few decades, quality of life (QOL) has become an important concept in medical researches and treatments. Different meaningful reasons are given for this development. In the current research two standard questionnaires for evaluating of QOL were selected. First one, was a questionnaire from The World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF 26) and the second one, The Iranian Diabetics' Quality of Life (IRDQOL). The goal of this study is to assess the relation between different domains of these questionnaires and HbA1c in diabetics. A random sample of Iranian adult outpatient diabetics (n=76) was selected and they completed the WHOQOL and IRDQOL assessment instruments. In addition HbA1c was measured in these patients by calorimetric method. Comparisons were made between scores of "questionnaires' domains" and "HbA1c". Data analysis was carried out by the use of T-test, Spearman correlation coefficient, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and non-parametric statistical methods including Spearman correlation coefficient. Data analysis shows Psychological domain score in IRDQOL is lower than in WHOQOL and it is significant (P<0.0001). Physical domain score in IRDQOL is lower than WHOQOL and it is significant (P<0.0001). In WHOQOL questionnaire, analysis data showed when the patient's age increased, physical and psychological domain's score decreased. There is probably no relation between questionnaire domains and HbA1c in diabetics. Based on the findings in this research, there was obviously almost no difference between the two questionnaires for checking the QOL, but in IRDQOL spiritual domain is a very unreliable domain.