Synergetic Effects of K, Ca, Cu and Zn in Human Semen in Relation to Parameters Indicative of Spontaneous Hyperactivation of Spermatozoa.

We have observed that sperm quality parameters indicative of spermatozoa hyperactivation such are lower "linearity" and "straightness", and as showed by this research "elongation", were more pronounced in patients with normal spermiogram compared to the group of men with reduced sperm motility who were undergoing routine in vitro fertilisation. The research encompassed 97 men diagnosed with normozoospermia (n = 20), asthenozoospermia (n = 54) and oligoasthenozoospermia (n = 23). The findings indicate that sperm quality of patients with normal spermiogram diagnosed according to WHO criteria, may be compromised by showing premature spontaneous hyperactivation which can decrease the chances of natural conception. We assessed synergistic effects of multiple chemical elements in ejaculated semen to find if premature spontaneous hyperactivation of spermatozoa can be a sign of imbalanced semen composition especially of elements K, Ca, Cu and Zn. Human semen samples showing low or high baseline status of chemical elements concentrations were found in samples from all three diagnostic groups. However, correlation of K/Ca and Cu/Zn ratios, taking into account samples from all three groups of men, were negative at statistical significance level p = 0.01. We tested if the negative correlation between K/Ca and Cu/Zn ratio works for greater number of semen samples. We found the negative correlation to be valid for 175 semen samples at statistical significance of p = 0.00002. The ratio of K/Ca and Cu/Zn, i.e. increased concentrations of K and Zn in comparison to concentrations of Ca and Cu, were associated with a decrease of "straightness" in the group of men with normal spermiogram and pronounced spontaneous hyperactivation of spermatozoa, implying that these elements act in synergy and that the balance of elements and not their absolute concentrations plays the major role in premature spermatozoa hyperactivation in ejaculated semen

Associação de emblica, licorice e belides como alternativa à hidroquinona no tratamento clínico do melasma Association of emblica, licorice and belides as an alternative to hydroquinone in the clinical treatment of melasma

FUNDAMENTOS: Melasma é uma melanodermia comum, cuja terapêutica representa um desafio clínico. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a eficácia e segurança clínicas do complexo despigmentante emblica, licorice e belides, em comparação à hidroquinona 2%, na abordagem do melasma. MÉTODOS: Após 60 dias de uso exclusivo de fotoprotetor FPS35, 56 mulheres com idades entre 18 e 60 anos, fotótipos I a IV, com melasma epidérmico ou misto, foram divididas em dois grupos de um estudo clínico monocego: A) creme contendo complexo despigmentante emblica, licorice e belides 7%, usado duas vezes ao dia; B)creme de hidroquinona 2%, usado à noite. O estudo durou 60 dias consecutivos e avaliações médica, das voluntárias (auto-avaliação) e fotográfica (Visia®) foram realizadas quinzenalmente. RESULTADOS: 89% das voluntárias (50/56), 23 do Grupo A e 27 do Grupo B, concluíram o estudo. Duas voluntárias do Grupo A contra sete do Grupo B apresentaram eventos adversos leves transitórios. Houve despigmentação do melasma pelas avaliações médica (Grupo A: 78,3%; Grupo B: 88,9%) e auto-avaliação (Grupo A: 91,3%; Grupo B: 92,6%), todos estatisticamente significantes (p<0,001), sem diferenças entre os grupos (p>0,05). O mesmo padrão foi observado pelo Visia®, tanto no número (p = 0,001) quanto no tamanho e no tom (p<0,001), para ambos os grupos, e sem diferenças entre eles (p>0,05) nas manchas UV. CONCLUSÕES: Não houve diferença estatística na melhora do melasma nos dois grupos; o Grupo A apresentou menor incidência de eventos adversos. Logo, o complexo despigmentante emblica, licorice e belides é uma alternativa segura e eficaz na abordagem do melasma.<br>BACKGROUND: Melasma is a common skin pigment disorder with a difficult clinical response to treatment. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of the association of Belides, Emblica and Licorice 7%, compared to Hydroquinone 2%, in the treatment of melasma. METHODS: After 60 days of exclusive use of an SPF35 sunscreen, 56 women, 18 to 60 years of age, phototypes I to IV, with epidermal or mixed melasma, were divided into two different groups in a mono-blind clinical study: A) cream with Belides, Emblica and Licorice, applied twice a day; B) cream with Hydroquinone 2%, used at night. They were observed in a 60-day study; every 15 days, they were submitted to medical evaluation, self-evaluation, and photographic registration (Visia®). RESULTS: 50 volunteers (89%), 23 in Group A and 27 in Group B, concluded the study. Two volunteers in Group A and 7 in Group B had mild skin adverse events. Depigmentation was observed through medical evaluation (Group A: 78.3%; Group B: 88.9%) and volunteers' self-evaluation (Group A: 91.3%; Group B: 92.6%); these results were statistically significant (p<0.001), with no differences between groups (p>0.05). This pattern of results was observed by Visia® in the number (p = 0.001) and size and tone (p<0.001) of the uv stains, for both groups, with no differences between them (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: There were no statistic differences between groups in the improvement of melasma. Group A showed less skin adverse events. Therefore, the association of Emblica, Licorice and Belides is a safe and efficient alternative for the treatment of melasma