Vitamin C attenuates detrimental effects of diabetes mellitus on sperm parameters, chromatin quality and rate of apoptosis in mice.

OBJECTIVES: The main goal was to examine the protective effects of vitamin C on sperm parameters, sperm chromatin condensation and apoptosis in experimentally-induced diabetic mice. STUDY DESIGN: 28 adult Syrian mice were divided into 4 groups. In Group1, the mice were diabetic that received a single dose of Streptozocin (STZ) (200mg/kg) intra-peritoneally (ip). Group 2 was included diabetic mice that received vitamin C (10mg/kg/daily, ip). Mice in group 3 were received vitamin C and group 4 was considered as control. After 35 days, sperm analysis was done accordingly. To asses sperm chromatin and DNA quality, we used aniline blue (AB), toluidine blue (TB), chromomycin A3 (CMA3), acridine orange (AO) and terminal transferase mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate biotin end labeling (TUNEL) tests. RESULTS: All of the sperm parameters (count, motility, morphology and viability) had significant reduction in diabetic mice but, the data showed a significant increase in all of the sperm parameters in diabetic+vitamin C when compared with diabetic and control animals (P<0.05). There were significant differences (P<0.001) between groups regarding to TB staining (48.8±5.92 vs 34.3±4.13), AO test (35.9±6.11 vs 20.8±2.89) and TUNEL test (39.42±7.18 vs 22.00±3.65) in diabetic and diabetic+vitamin C groups, respectively. Nevertheless, in CMA3 and AB staining assays, there were not any significant differences between different groups. CONCLUSION: Vitamin C, as a potent antioxidant, can attenuate detrimental effects of diabetes mellitus on the sperm parameters, chromatin quality and apoptosis in an experimental model.

The Effect of Unsaturated Fatty Acids on Molecular Markers of Cholesterol Homeostasis in THP-1 Macrophages.

BACKGROUND: Macrophages derived foam cells are key factors in the maladaptive immune and inflammatory response. OBJECTIVES: The study of the cholesterol homeostasis and the molecular factor involved in these cells is very important in understanding the process of atherosclerosis and the mechanisms that prevent its occurrence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experimental study investigated the effects of c9, t11-Conjugated Linoleic Acid (c9, t11-CLA). Alpha Linolenic Acid (LA), and Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) on the PPARα and ACAT1 mRNA expression by Real time PCR and cholesterol homeostasis in THP-1 macrophages derived foam cells. RESULTS: Incubation of CLA, LA, EPA, and synthetic ligands did not prevent increasing the cellular total cholesterol (TC). Free cholesterol (FC) is increased by Sandoz58-035 (P = 0.024) and decreased by fatty acids and Wy14643 (Pirinixic acid) (P = 0.035). The pattern of distribution of %EC is similar to the EC pattern distribution. The ACAT1 mRNA expression was significantly increased by EPA (P = 0.009), but c9, t11- CLA, LA, Wy14643, and Sandoz58-035 had no significant effect on the mRNA level of ACAT1 expression compared to DMSO(Dimethyl sulfoxide). DISCUSSIONS: In comparison to the control of Wy14643, Sandoz58-035, c9 and t11-CLA, EPA increased the PPARα mRNA levels (P = 0.024, P = 0.041, P = 0.043, and P = 0.004, respectively), even though, LA had no significant effect on the PPARα mRNA expression (P = 0.489). CONCLUSIONS: Variations in the chemical structure of fatty acids can affect their physiological function.

Does women's age influence zona pellucida birefringence of metaphase ΙΙ oocytes in in-vitro maturation program?

BACKGROUND: In vitro maturation (IVM) is a promising treatment option for certain infertile women. Nowadays, with the aid of PolScope, it has become possible to evaluate zona pellucida (ZP) characteristics as a parameter of oocyte quality. Moreover, quality of oocytes can be influenced by many factors, such as patient's age. The PolScope system is a non-invasive technique to assess birefringent structures such as the meiotic spindle and ZP in living oocytes. OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the influence of the woman's age on ZP birefringence, a sign of oocyte quality, and morphology of in-vitro matured human oocytes using non-invasive polarized light (PolScope) microscopy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ZP birefringence and morphology were determined in 105 retrieved oocytes from 58 women undergoing ICSI in two age groups (≥30 years and <30 years). The immature oocytes were selected and after IVM, the quality of metaphase ΙΙ (MII) oocytes was assessed. The oocytes abnormalities were classified as intracytoplasmic and extracytoplasmic abnormalities. RESULTS: Oocyte maturation rates were significantly reduced in ≥30 year's women (56%) in comparison with other age group (80.7%). In addition, the ZP birefringence was significantly higher in MII oocytes in the younger group compared with the older group (76.2% vs. 38.1%; p=0.00). Following morphologic assessment, the rates of oocytes with extracytoplasmic (p=0.02) and both abnormalities (extra- and intracytoplasmic) (p=0.01) were higher in aged versus the younger women. CONCLUSION: There was a positive relationship between advanced maternal age with decreased ZP birefringence and oocyte morphological quality in in-vitro matured human oocytes.

Critical thinking ability and its associated factors among preclinical students in Yazd Shaheed Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences (Iran).

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Iranian medical and dental students in thinking critically and to assess their ability in using definite components of critical thinking (CT). METHODS: Multistage cluster sampling was utilized to recruit 125 preclinical (1(st), 2(nd) and 3(rd) year of study) students in Yazd Shaheed Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences in Yazd, Iran. The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) was applied to collect data. The statistical analysis of the data included One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), t-test and bivariate correlations. RESULTS: The mean total score for this sample was 45.33±5.4. Significant differences were found in total critical thinking score by gender (p= 0.022), residency (p= 0.026) and the year of education (p= 0.01). A significant correlation was found between the total CT score and the student's number of passed credits (r= 0.297, p= 0.003). Also, a significant difference was found in the students' scores on the WGCTA evaluation subtest by passing any research method courses (p= 0.04). CONCLUSION: The CT ability in medical and dental students in the present study was weak overall. Medical educators and clinical instructors should try to develop the ability of CT by teaching methods and techniques like purposeful planning and problem-based teaching to promote the components of CT in their students. The improving of CT in medical students has implications for medical education and promotion of medical profession.