The effect of quince leaf (Cydonia oblonga miller) decoction on testes in hypercholesterolemic rabbits: A pilot study

Current medical literature lacks any evidence of the protective effects of quince leaf on testes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to assess the effect of quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) leaf decoction on testicular injury and impaired spermatogenesis induced by hypercholesterolemia in rabbits. Eleven mature New Zealand white male rabbits were randomly divided into three groups: group 1 (hypercholesterolemia, n=3), group 2 (hypercholesterolemia plus quince treatment, n=6), and group 3 (control, n=2). Groups 1 and 2 received a cholesterol-enriched diet for six weeks. Group 2 received C. oblongaleaf decoction as drinking supplement as well. After six weeks, a normal diet was substituted in groups 1 and 2 for another six weeks. Group 3 (control group) was maintained throughout the study on a regular diet. At the end of the 12th week, the left testes of the animals were resected for light microscopic study with particular attention to the maturity of germ cells in seminiferous tubules using Johnsen’s score. Increase in intertubular connective tissue and diameter of vessels, abundant spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes along the reduced germinal epithelium were noted in all rabbits of the group 1. The remaining animals in groups 2 and 3 had no significant changes in their testicular sections. The mean Johnsen’s score of group 1 (4.20±1.92) was significantly lower than that of group 2 (7.33±0.52) and group 3 (7.05±0.07). (P=0.01). Inconclusion, quince leaf decoction (C. oblonga Miller) protected rabbit testes and spermatogenesis from damage induced by hypercholesterolemia

Change in diet, physical activity, and body weight among young-adults during the transition from high school to college

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The freshmen year of college is likely a critical period for risk of weight gain among young-adults.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>A longitudinal observational study was conducted to examine changes in weight, dietary intake, and other health-related behaviors among first-year college students (n = 186) attending a public University in the western United States. Weight was measured at the beginning and end of fall semester (August – December 2005). Participants completed surveys about dietary intake, physical activity and other health-related behaviors during the last six months of high school (January – June 2005) in August 2005 and during their first semester of college (August – December 2005) in December 2005.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>159 students (n = 102 women, 57 men) completed both assessments. The average BMI at the baseline assessment was 23.0 (standard deviation (SD) 3.8). Although the average amount of weight gained during the 15-week study was modest (1.5 kg), 23% of participants gained ≥ 5% of their baseline body weight. Average weight gain among those who gained ≥ 5% of baseline body weight was 4.5 kg. Those who gained ≥ 5% of body weight reported less physical activity during college than high school, were more likely to eat breakfast, and slept more than were those who did not gain ≥ 5% of body weight.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Almost one quarter of students gained a significant amount of weight during their first semester of college. This research provides further support for the implementation of education or other strategies aimed at helping young-adults entering college to achieve or maintain a healthy body weight.</p

NQO1 C609T Polymorphism is Associated with Coronary Artery Disease in a Gender-Dependent Manner

Findings on the association of NQO1 C609T polymorphism in the NQO1 gene and cardiovascular disease susceptibility are controversial. The objective of the current study was to examine the relationship between this polymorphism and the presence and severity of angiographically determined coronary artery disease (CAD). One-hundred and forty-five patients with newly diagnosed angiographically documented CAD (≥50 % luminal stenosis of any coronary vessel) as case group were compared to 139 controls (subjects with no luminal stenosis at coronary arteries). The presence of C609T polymorphism was analyzed using polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism. Among total population, those with combined CT/TT (T allele carrier) genotype showed a trend toward lower odds of CAD compared to those with CC (wild type) genotype, but it did not reach a statistically significant level (p = 0.061). When data were analyzed separately for men or women, CT + TT group as compared to CC genotype was associated with decreased odds of CAD in women (adjusted OR 0.4, 95 % CI 0.2-0.9; p = 0.043), but not in men (adjusted OR 0.8, 95 % CI 0.3-1.9; p = 0.612). The C609T polymorphism within NQO1 is independently associated with CAD in women, but no association was observed in whole study population or in men