Clustering of methamphetamine users based on personality characteristics and self-efficacy in the west of Iran.

With the substantial increase in the use of stimulants, especially methamphetamine, in recent years, the present study aimed to cluster methamphetamine users based on personality traits and self-efficacy, and compare their mental health, sleep quality, and the risk of relapse in the identified clusters. This cross-sectional study was conducted through convenience sampling on 501 methamphetamine users in addiction treatment centers in Kermanshah, western Iran. The data were collected using the Schwarzer General Self-Efficacy Scale, Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, Goldberg and Hiller General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Zuckerman-Kuhlman Personality Questionnaire, and Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS). A total of 501 methamphetamine users were distinguished into three clusters with frequencies of 111 (22.2%), 298 (59.5%), and 92 (18.4%) members through hierarchical cluster analysis. The participants in the first cluster were characterized by low self-efficacy, high neuroticism, sensation seeking, and aggressiveness, along with low extroversion and activity, low positive health, high negative health, low sleep quality, and high risk of drug relapse. The participants in the second cluster reported moderate levels of self-efficacy, neuroticism, sensation seeking, activity, and aggressiveness, high extroversion, and moderate levels of mental health, sleep quality, and the risk of relapse. Moreover, the participants in the third cluster reported the highest level of self-efficacy, the lowest level of neuroticism, sensation seeking, and aggressiveness, moderate extroversion and high activity, low relapse risk, high sleep quality, as well as high positive and low negative health symptoms. The third cluster was significantly different from the other two clusters in terms of the mentioned factors. The findings of this study suggest that low self-efficacy and the presence of neuroticism, sensation seeking, and high aggressiveness contribute to reduced mental health and sleep quality, as well as an increased risk of relapse in methamphetamine users.

Effect of Falcaria vulgaris extracts on sperm parameters in diabetic rats.

Diabetes causes a systemic inflammatory response with increased oxidative stress and can adversely effect spermatogenesis. Sickle-weed plant, scientifically called Falcaria vlugaris, contains antioxidants and antimicrobial ingredients. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Falcaria vulgaris vulgaris extract on the sperm parameters of diabetic rats. In this experimental study, diabetes was induced in the animals using streptozotocin (STZ; 60 mg/kg). Sixty-four rats were equally divided into eight groups as follows: nondiabetic (normal) controls; normal rats given 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg doses of F. vulgaris extract; diabetic controls induced by STZ; and diabetic animals that received STZ plus 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg F. vulgaris extract. The animals were injected with the extract intraperitoneally once a day for 28 consecutive days. The sperm parameters of count, motility, morphology, viability, total antioxidant capacity and seminiferous tube diameter were analysed and compared. The results indicated that the values of all parameters decreased significantly in the diabetic control groups compared to the normal control group (p < 0.00). The parameters of the diabetic groups that received 50, 100 or 150 mg/kg F. vulgaris extract showed significant increases in all parameters at all doses compared to the diabetic control group (p ≤ 0.001). The administration of F. vulgaris extract as a potent antioxidant was able to compensate for the toxicity induced by STZ and increase the quality of some spermatozoa.

Protective effect of alcoholic extract of garden cress seeds on the histopathological changes of the ventral prostate in streptozotocin diabetic rats / Efecto protectivo de extracto alcohólico de garden cress seeds en los cambios histopatológicos de la próstata ventral en ratas diabéticas por streptozotocina

Diabetes mellitus is a common serious metabolic illness occurring worldwide that may lead to male infertility. Various plants have been used in the treatment of diabetes. In this study, the effect of garden cress (Lepidium sativum) seed extract on fasting blood sugar is assessed for its protective effect on histopathological changes in the ventral prostate gland of streptozotocine-induced diabetic rats. Fifty adult male Wistar rats were randomly selected into five groups. Group 1 was the control placebo group where rats received only 0.1 mL normal saline via gastric gavages. Rats in Group 2 received an intraperitoneal injection of STZ 60 mg/kg body weight and those with FBS >250 mg/dL were considered diabetic. In Group 3, diabetic rats received insulin (3 U/100 g body weight) while in Groups 4 and 5 diabetic rats received 0.1 ml of 200 and 400 mg/kg respectively of an ethanol extract of Lepidium sativum seeds by gavage daily. The prostate was removed and weighed before transfer to Bouin’s solution for histological studies. Administration of the 200 and 400 mg/kg doses of Lepidium sativum seed extract increased epithelium height and decreased interstitial volume density and fibromuscular thickness of the prostate significantly. Also, the volume density of the epithelium, fibro muscular, lumen, and interstitial tissues were changed significantly. The results suggest that Lepidium sativum seed extract has beneficial effects as a protective agent against the detrimental effects of diabetes on the reproductive system of diabetic male rats.

La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad metabólica común y grave que ocurre en todo el mundo y que puede conducir a la infertilidad masculina. Se han utilizado varias plantas en el tratamiento de la diabetes. En este estudio se evalúa el efecto del extracto de semilla de Lepidium sativum sobre los niveles de azúcar en sangre, en ayunas, por su efecto protector sobre los cambios histopatológicos en la próstata ventral, de ratas diabéticas inducidas por estreptozotocina (STZ). Cincuenta ratas Wistar adultas fueron divididas aleatoriamente en cinco grupos. El grupo 1 fue el grupo placebo, de control, en el que las ratas recibieron sólo 0,1 ml de solución salina normal mediante sondas gástricas. Las ratas del grupo 2 recibieron una inyección intraperitoneal de 60 mg / kg de peso corporal de STZ y aquellas con FBS> 250 mg / dl se consideraron diabéticas. En el grupo 3, las ratas diabéticas recibieron insulina (3 U / 100 g de peso corporal) mientras que en los grupos 4 y 5 las ratas diabéticas recibieron 0,1 ml de 200 y 400 mg / kg respectivamente de un extracto etanólico de semillas de Lepidium sativum por gavage diariamente. La próstata se retiró y se pesó antes de transferir a una solución de Bouin para realizar estudios histológicos. La administración de las dosis de 200 y 400 mg / kg de extracto de semilla de Lepidium sativum aumentó la altura del epitelio y disminuyó la densidad volumétrica intersticial y el espesor fibromuscular de la próstata, significativamente. Además, la densidad volumétrica del epitelio fibromuscular, del lumen y el intersticio de los tejidos sufrieron modificaciones significativas. Los resultados sugieren que el extracto de semilla de Lepidium sativum posee efectos beneficiosos como agente protector contra los efectos perjudiciales de la diabetes en el sistema reproductivo de las ratas macho diabéticas.

Protective effect of Lepidium sativum seed extract on histopathology and morphology of epididymis in diabetic rat model / Efecto protector de extracto de semilla Lepidium sativum sobre la histopatología y morfología del epidídimo en modelo de rata diabética

Diabetes mellitus is a frequent and serious metabolic illness all over the world and plants have been a desirable source of medicine recently. Diabetes has unpleasant effect on male reproductive system and it may lead to male infertility. It causes erectile dysfunction and reduces ejaculate volume by affecting the health of small blood vessels and the small nerves that control ejaculation and also decreases libido by decreasing testosterone levels. Current study evaluated the possible protective efficiency of Lepidium sativum (Garden cress) seed extract on fasting blood sugar (FBS) and then assessed histopathological change of epididymis in streptozotocine (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. We randomly categorized 50 adult male Wistar rats into five groups (each 10 rats). Group 1 was control placebo group receiving only 0.1 ml normal saline via gastric gavages, Group 2 as control diabetic rats received an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of STZ 60 mg/kg body weight. Rats with FBS >250 mg/dl were considered as diabetic. Group 3 were diabetic rats receiving insulin in dose 3U/100 g body weight and Groups 4 and 5 were diabetic rats that received 0.1 cc of 200 and 400 mg/kg, ethanol extract of Lepidium sativum seed by gavages daily. One day after the last gavages, rats were anesthetized by chloroform. Epididymis duct was removed from abdomen and weighed with a digital scale. Afterwards, samples were putted in Bouin's solution for histological measurement. Administration of 200 and 400 mg/ml doses of Lepidium sativum seed extract increased epithelium height and decreased interstitial volume density and fibro muscular thickness significantly. Also, volume density of epithelium, fibro muscular, lumen and interstitial decreased significantly. Tubular and lumen diameter did not change significantly in different groups. It appears Lepidium sativum seed extract is a beneficial protective supplementary agent against adverse effects of diabetes on male reproductive system.

La diabetes mellitus es una enfermedad metabólica frecuente y grave que afecta a los hombres en todo el mundo. Recientemente, las plantas han sido una fuente deseable de medicina para este tipo de enfermedad. La diabetes tiene un efecto perjudicial en el sistema reproductivo masculino y puede conducir a la infertilidad. Causa disfunción eréctil y reduce el volumen de la eyaculación al afectar los pequeños vasos sanguíneos y los nervios que controlan la eyaculación. También disminuye la libido reduciendo los niveles de testosterona. El presente estudio evaluó la posible eficacia protectora del extracto de semilla de Lepidium sativum en la glucemia en ayunas y también se evaluó el cambio histopatológico del epidídimo en ratas diabéticas inducidas por estreptozotocina (STZ). Se dividieron aleatoriamente 50 ratas Wistar macho adultas en cinco grupos de 10 ratas cada uno. El grupo 1 recibió 0,1 ml de solución salina normal a través de los gavajes gástricos, el grupo 2 de ratas diabéticas control recibió una inyección intraperitoneal (IP) de STZ 60 mg / kg de peso corporal. Las ratas con FBS> 250 mg / dl se consideraron como diabéticas. El Grupo 3 eran ratas diabéticas que recibieron insulina en dosis de 3 U/ 100 g de peso corporal y los Grupos 4 y 5 estaban compuestos por ratas diabéticas que recibieron 0,1 cc con 200 y 400 mg / kg, de extracto de etanol de semillas de Lepidium sativum por gavajes diarios. Un día después de los últimos gavages, las ratas fueron anestesiadas con cloroformo. Se extrajo el epidídimo y se pesó con una pesa digital. Posteriormente, las muestras se pusieron en solución de Bouin para el estudio histológico. La administración de dosis de 200 y 400 mg / ml de extracto de semilla Lepidium sativum aumentó la altura del epitelio y disminuyó significativamente la densidad volumétrica intersticial y el grosor fibromuscular. Además, la densidad volumétrica del epitelio fibromuscular, lumen e intersticio disminuyeron significativamente. El diámetro tubular y el lumen no cambiaron significativamente en los diferentes grupos. El extracto de semilla de Lepidium sativum es un agente complementario beneficioso protector contra los efectos adversos de la diabetes en el sistema reproductor masculino.

Protective effect of combined pumpkin seed and ginger extracts on sperm characteristics, biochemical parameters and epididymal histology in adult male rats treated with cyclophosphamide.

Reproductive toxicity is one of the side effects of cyclophosphamide (CP) in cancer treatment. Pumpkin seeds and Zingiber officinale are natural sources of antioxidants. We investigated the possible protective effect of combined pumpkin seed and Zingiber officinale extracts on sperm characteristics, epididymal histology and biochemical parameters of CP-treated rats. Male adult Wistar rats were divided randomly into six groups. Group 1, as a control, received an isotonic saline solution injection intraperitoneally (IP). Group 2 were injected IP with a single dose of CP (100 mg/kg) once. Groups 3 and 4 received CP plus 300 and 600 mg/kg combined pumpkin seed and Zingiber officinale extract (50:50). Groups 5 and 6 received only 300 and 600 mg/kg combined pumpkin seed and Zingiber officinale extract. Six weeks after treatment, sperm characteristics, histopathological changes and biochemical parameters were assessed. In CP-treated rats, motile spermatozoa were decreased, and abnormal or dead spermatozoa increased significantly (P < 0.001) but administration of the mixed extract improved sperm parameters. Epididymal epithelium and fibromascular thickness were also improved in extract-treated rats compared to control or CP groups. Biochemical analysis showed that the administration of combined extracts could increase the total antioxidant capacity (TAC) level significantly in groups 3, 4, 5 and 6. Interestingly, the mixed extract could decrease most of the side effects of CP such as vacuolization and separation of epididymal tissue. Our findings indicated that the combined extracts might be used as a protective agent against CP-induced reproductive toxicity.