Association between Hypoadiponectinemia and Low Serum Concentrations of Calcium and Vitamin D in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Objective. To investigate the possible association of calcium and vitamin D deficiency with hypoadiponectinemia in women with PCOS. Subjects and Methods. In this case-control study, 103 PCOS cases and 103 controls included. The concentrations of calcium, 25-OH-vitamin D (25OHD), adiponectin, insulin, glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), and androgens were measured in fasting blood samples. Results. Adiponectin (8.4 ± 2.7 ng/mL versus 13.6 ± 5 ng/mL in control group, P : 0.00), calcium (2 ± 0.1 mmol/L versus 2.55 ± 0.17 mmol/L in controls, P : 0.00), and 25-OH-Vit D (30 ± 2.99 nmol/L versus 43.7 ± 5.2 nmol/L in control group, P : 0.00) levels were decreased in women with PCOS. Subjects with PCOS had higher concentrations of TG (1.4 ± 0.77 mmol/L versus 1.18 ± 0.75 mmol/L in control group, P : 0.019) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) (10.7 ± 11 mmol/L versus 9.7 ± 10.4, P : 0.02 in control group). There were significant correlations between adiponectin concentrations with calcium (r : 0.78, P : 0.00) and 25OHD levels (r : 0.82, P : 0.00). The association of hypoadiponectinemia and PCOS was not significant considering 25OHD as a confounding factor. Conclusion. The present findings indicate that the association of hypoadiponectinemia with PCOS is dependent on vitamin D. A possible beneficiary effect of vitamin D on the metabolic parameters in PCOS may be suggested

Correlation of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activities with serum trace elements in preeclampsia

Background Preeclampsia is a dangerous disease of pregnancy with symptoms such as high blood pressure and proteinuria. The nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme produces nitric oxide (NO) as a mediator of vasodilation and need to calcium and zinc ions for activity. The thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) as an enzyme containing selenium has been neutralized the damaging effects of oxidants. In this study, our aim was to evaluate the activity of eNOS and TrxR enzymes and the amounts of calcium, zinc, and selenium elements in serum of women with preeclampsia. Material and Methods Thirty preeclampsia and 30 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in the study after clinical examination and confirmation by Obstetrician-Gynecologist. Venous blood samples were collected and the activity of NOS, TrxR enzymes, and the concentration of zinc, calcium, and selenium elements were measured in serum. Results The results of NOS and TrxR activities showed significant decreases in preeclampsia compared with control group (p < .05). In addition, concentrations of zinc, calcium, and selenium were markedly lower in preeclampsia compared to the healthy control group (p < .05). Conclusion This study identified the role of the NOS and TrxR activities in preeclampsia disorder and may be one of the ways to prevent and reduce the risks of preeclampsia in high-risk women using diet control and stress reduction

Evaluation of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) activity and the levels of homocysteine and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum of women with preeclampsia

Background Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) has a key role in converting homocysteine to methionine so its deficiency might cause homocysteine accumulation and arterial destruction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), homocysteine, and MDA levels in preeclampsia patients. Material and Methods In this case–control study, 30 preeclampsia patients and 30 healthy pregnant women as control group were selected and matched for maternal age, gestational age, and BMI. Preeclampsia was confirmed by examining hypertension and urinary proteinuria. Serum homocysteine and MDA level as well as MTHFR activity were measured manually. Results Homocysteine and MDA levels were significantly different between women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancies (p-value <0.001). Also, the results indicate that MTHFR activity in the two groups was statistically different (p-value <0.001). Conclusion It can be concluded that the regulation of homocysteine and its metabolic enzymes plays a significant role in controlling blood pressure and consequently in the pathophysiology of Preeclampsia and it can be a goal for prevention and treatments

Evaluation of Insulin and Estradiol in Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and its Relationship With BMI

Background & Objective:  Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine and metabolic disorder, which is characterized by ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism. This study was done to evaluate insulin and estradiol (E2) in women with PCOS and its relationship with Body mass index (BMI). Materials & Methods: This case-control study included, 104 women with polycystic ovary syndrome as a case group and 100 women without polycystic ovary syndrome as a control group. Concentrations of insulin, glucose and E2 were measured in fasting blood samples. Results: Insulin level was 7.02 ± 3.29 in control group, 11.41 ± 3.84 in the case group. FBS level was 82.75 ± 7.18 in control group versus 84.03 ± 5.82 in case group. E2 level was 70.74 ± 53.03 in control group and 60.21 ± 40.58 in case group. The insulin resistance level was 1.45 ± 0.74 in the control group versus 2.37 ± 0.83 in case group. According to correlation analysis, the insulin variable had a significant positive association with BMI (p < 0.0001, r=.245), although no significant correlation was seen between E2 and BMI (p-value = 0.245, r=.092) Conclusion: Present data showed that E2 levels were not different in PCOS and non-PCOS patients, but insulin levels in PCOS were significantly increased and PCOS women had significant insulin resistance which is dependent on BMI

Association of Arachidonic Acid, Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Serum Amyloid A Levels in Women with PCOS

Background & Objective: PCOS is a multifactorial disorder characterized by inflammation caused by unknown reasons. This study aimed to investigate the Arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) levels and Serum amyloid A (SAA) protein and gene expression of follicular fluid in women with PCOS. Materials & Methods: The study included 30 PCOS and 30 healthy women. The individuals were selected after clinical examination and the inclusion criteria. During the puncture and after removing oocytes, follicular fluids were collected from individuals. The SAA protein concentration was determined by the ELISA method. Arachidonic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid levels were determined using GC method and the statistical software SPSS 16, and the p value less than 0.05 was considered as significant. Results: There was a significant difference in metaphase II oocytes (M2) (p =0.001), number of Embryo (p =0.014), Estradiol (p =0.025), FSH (0.040), LH (p =0.035) and Prolactin (p =0.023) levels between two groups. The concentration of SAA protein level and gene expression shows a significant increase in the patient group compared to the control group (p <0.05). The results showed that AA level was significantly increased in the patient group (284.12 ng/mL) compared to the control group (176.23 ng/mL) (p =0.001) while, there was a significant decrease (p =0.001) in EPA level in the patient group (24.56 ng/mL) compared to the control group (33.48 ng/mL). Conclusion: It appears that higher EPA levels and lower follicular fluid AA concentrations reduce SAA levels and thus may increase follicular maturation in women with PCOS

Association of High Levels of Testosterone and Ferritin with Overweight in Women with PCOS

Background & Objective: The present study was conducted to determine testosterone and ferritin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and investigate its relationship with body mass index (BMI) Materials & Methods: In this case-control study, 104 PCOS cases and 99 controls were included. The concentration of testosterone, ferritin, lipid profile, insulin, glucose, and androgen was measured in fasting blood samples. Results: Testosterone level was equal to 1.08 ± 0.50 and 0.85 ± 0.42 in the case and control groups, respectively (P< 0.001). Values of ferritin (123.45 ± 18.21ng/dl vs. 92.14 ± 17.74 ng/dl in control group, p< 0.001), insulin (11.41 ± 3.84 µU/ml vs. 7.02 ± 3.29 µU/ml in control group, p< 0.001), and insulin resistance (11.41 ± 3.84 vs.7.02 ± 3.29 in control group, p< 0.001) were also measured. There was a significant relationship between serum concentration of testosterone and ferritin with BMI) p<0.001). The role of ferritin to predict PCOS was significant (ß:-1.1, P< 0.001). Conclusion: According to the findings of the present study, the levels of testosterone and ferritin were increased in patients with PCOS. Although elevated testosterone levels are effective in PCOS, ferritin concentration is an important factor in predicting and exacerbating the disease

Ameliorating Effect of Ginseng on Epididymo-Orchitis Inducing Alterations in Sperm Quality and Spermatogenic Cells Apoptosis following Infection by Uropathogenic Escherichia coli in Rats

Objective: Epididymo-orchitis (EO) potentially results in reduced fertility in up to 60% of affected patients. The anti-inflammatory effects of Korean red ginseng (KRG) and its ability to act as an immunoenhancer in parallel with the beneficial effects of this ancient herbal medicine on the reproductive systems of animals and humans led us to evaluate its protective effects against acute EO. Materials and Methods: This animal experimental study was conducted in the Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences (ZUMS), Zanjan, Iran during 2013-2015. We divided 50 Wistar rats into five following groups (n=10 per group): i. Control-intact animals, ii. Vehicle-phosphate buffered saline (PBS) injection into the vas deferens, iii. KRG-an intraperitoneal (IP) injection of KRG, iv. EO-an injection of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strain M39 into the vas deferens, and v. EO/ KRG-injections of both UPEC strain M39 and KRG. The treatment lasted seven days. We then evaluated sperm parameters, number of germ cell layers, Johnson’s criteria, germ cell apoptosis, body weight and relative sex organs weight. Results: Acute EO increased the relative weight of prostate and seminal vesicles (P≤0.05). It also reduced sperm quality such as total motility, sperm concentration (P≤0.01), and the percentage of normal sperm (P≤0.001). Moreover, acute EO decreased Miller’s (P≤0.05) and Johnsen’s scores and increased apoptotic indexes of spermatogenic cells (P≤0.001). KRG treatment decreased prostate weight gain (P≤0.05) and improved the percentage of sperm with normal morphology, total motility (P≤0.01), and progressive motility (P≤0.05). The apoptotic indexes of spermatogenic cells reduced (P≤0.001), whereas both Johnsen’s (P≤0.01) and Miller’s criteria increased in the KRG-treated EO testis (P≤0.05). Conclusion: Consequently, KRG ameliorated the devastating effects of EO on the sperm retrieved from either epididymis or testicle in rats