A Meta-Analysis of Erectile Dysfunction and Alcohol Consumption.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the association between alcohol consumption and risk of erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS: PubMed was searched for reports published before June 2019. Data were extracted and combined odds ratios (ORs) calculated with random-effects models. RESULTS: Finally, 46 studies were included (216,461 participants). The results of our meta-analysis indicated that there was a significant association between regular alcohol consumption and ED (OR 0.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.81-0.97). There was no indication of publication bias (Egger's test, p = 0.37). In the stratified analysis, the pooled OR of ED for light to moderate and high alcohol consumption was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.72-0.94) and 0.82 (95% CI: 0.67-1.00), respectively. No variable related to the source of heterogeneity was found in univariate and multivariate meta-regression analyses. A dose-response meta-analysis suggested that a nonlinear relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of ED was observed (p for nonlinearity <0.001). CONCLUSION: A J-shaped relationship between alcohol consumption and risk of ED was observed. Alcohol should be taken in moderate quantities in order to obtain the dual effect of disinhibition and relaxation. If taken chronically, it could provoke vascular damages.

A meta-analysis of risk of pregnancy loss and caffeine and coffee consumption during pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Previous reports of the relationship between pregnancy loss and caffeine/coffee consumption have been inconsistent. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association between pregnancy loss and caffeine and coffee consumption. SEARCH STRATEGY: PubMed was searched for reports published before September 2014, with the keywords "caffeine," "coffee," "beverage," "miscarriage," "spontaneous abortion," and "fetal loss." SELECTION CRITERIA: Case-control and cohort studies were included when they had been reported in English, the exposure of interest was caffeine/coffee consumption during pregnancy, the outcome of interest was spontaneous abortion or fetal death, and multivariate-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) or risk ratios were provided or could be calculated. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Data were extracted and combined ORs calculated. MAIN RESULTS: Overall, 26 studies were included (20 of caffeine and eight of coffee). After adjustment for heterogeneity, caffeine consumption was associated with an increased risk of pregnancy loss (OR 1.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-1.40), as was coffee consumption (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.21). A dose-response analysis suggested that risk of pregnancy loss rose by 19% for every increase in caffeine intake of 150 mg/day and by 8% for every increase in coffee intake of two cups per day. CONCLUSIONS: Consumption of caffeine and coffee during pregnancy seems to increase the risk of pregnancy loss.

Increase in Trx2/Prx3 redox system immunoreactivity in the spinal cord and hippocampus of aged dogs.

We previously reported that no distinct neuronal loss occurred in the aged dog spinal cord, although oxidative stress was increased in the aged dog spinal cord. Thioredoxin 2 (Trx2)/peroxiredoxin 3 (Prx3) redox system is a major route for removing H(2)O(2) in the central nervous system. In the present study, we compared the distribution and immunoreactivity of thioredoxin reductase 2 (TrxR2), Trx2 and Prx3 and their protein levels in the spinal cord and hippocampus between the adult (2-3 years) and aged (10-12 years) dogs. The number of TrxR2-immunoreactive neurons was slightly increased; however, its immunoreactivity was significantly increased in the aged spinal cord compared to that in the adult spinal cord. On the other hand, the number and immunoreactivity of both Trx2- and Prx3-immunoreactive neurons were significantly increased in the spinal cord of the aged dog. Similarly, in the hippocampus of the aged dog, TrxR2, Trx2 and Prx3 immunoreactivity and protein levels were markedly increased compared to those in the adult dog. These results indicate that the increases of TrxR2, Trx2 and Prx3 immunoreactivity and their protein levels in the aged spinal cord and hippocampus may contribute to reducing neuronal damage against oxidative stresses during normal aging.

[Intervention effects of tiaozhi jiangtang tablet on insulin resistance in rats with diabetes mellitus type 2].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Tiaozhi Jiangtang Tablet (TJT) on insulin resistance (IR) in rats with diebetes mellitus type 2. METHODS: The model rats of diebetes mellitus were induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (30mg/kg) and feeding with high lipid forage. The rats in the TJT group were treated with TJT and those in the metformin group treated with metformin as positive controls. The glucose infusion rate (GIR) was detected by glucose clamp technique after treatment for 8 weeks. At the same time, fasting blood glucose ( FBG), fasting insulin ( FINS), free fatty acids ( FFA), total cholesterol ( TC), triglyceride (TG), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) were measured respectively, and insulin sensitivity index (ISI) and HDL-C/TC calculated. The changes of insulin sensitivity and lipid metabolism were evaluated. RESULTS: TC, TG, HDL-C/TC, FINS, and FFA significantly reduced in the TJT group as compared with those in the control group, while ISI and GIR significantly increased, the effects of TJT were similar to those of metformin. CONCLUSION: TJT is effective in increasing insulin sensitivity and improving glucose and lipid metabolisms in rats with diebetes mellitus type 2.