Relationship between Estradiol and Antioxidant Enzymes Activity of Ischemic Stroke

Some evidence suggests the neuroprotection of estrogen provided by the antioxidant activity of this compound. The main objective of this study was to determine the level of estradiol and its correlation with the activity of antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant status and ferritin from ischemic stroke subjects. The study population consisted of 30 patients with acute ischemic stroke and 30 controls. There was no significant difference between estradiol in stroke and control group. The activity of superoxide dismutase and level of ferritin was higher in stroke compared with control group (P < .05, P < .001, resp.). There was no significant correlation between estradiol and glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, total antioxidant status, and ferritin in stroke and control groups. We observed inverse correlation between estradiol with superoxide dismutase in males of stroke patients (r = −0.54, P = .029). Our results supported that endogenous estradiol of elderly men and women of stroke or control group has no antioxidant activity

Association of FAS and FAS Ligand Genes Polymorphism and Risk of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

FAS/FASL pathway plays a critical role in maintaining peripheral immune tolerance; therefore, the apoptosis genes, Fas and Fas ligand (FasL), could be suitable candidate genes in human SLE susceptibility. Materials and Methods. In this case-control study, 106 SLE patients and 149 sex, age, and ethnicity matched healthy controls were genotyped for the Fas A-670G and FasLC-844T polymorphisms by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method (PCR-RFLP). Results. The frequency of -670AA genotype was significantly higher in SLE patients than control group and the risk of SLE was 2.1-fold greater in subjects with AA genotype (P=0.03). The frequency of -670A allele was significantly higher in SLE patients than in controls too (58% versus 49%, P=0.03). The -844CC genotype frequency was significantly higher in SLE patients than in healthy controls and the risk of SLE was 2.8-fold greater in these subjects (P=0.01). The C allele frequency was significantly higher in patients than in controls (69% versus 49%, P=0.001). Increased SLE risk was observed in individuals with combined effect of Fas-670AA and FasL-844CC genotypes (P=0.001). Conclusion. Fas-670AA and FasL-844CC genotypes were associated with SLE risk, and combined effect of -670AA and -844CC genotypes might increase SLE susceptibility

The −2549 insertion/deletion polymorphism of VEGF gene associated with uterine leiomyoma susceptibility in women from Southeastern Iran

Objectives: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an important angiogenic factor that regulates angiogenesis and mediates sex steroid-induced cell growth. The present study investigated the association of VEGF gene-2578C/A (rs699947) and −2549 insertion/deletion polymorphisms in the promoter region of VEGF-A gene and uterine leiomyoma susceptibility in Southeast of Iran. Material and methods: One hundred and fifty five women with uterine leiomyoma and 157 age, BMI, and ethnicity matched healthy women were enrolled in this study. VEGF gene –2578C/A polymorphism genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) method, and the –2549 insertion/dele­tion polymorphism was analyzed by PCR method. Results: The frequency of alleles and genotypes of VEGF-2578C/A polymorphism was not different between women with uterine leiomyoma and the controls; however, a significant association was revealed between II genotype of –2549 insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism of VEGF gene and uterine leiomyoma. Conclusions: The findings showed that VEGF gene –2549 insertion/deletion polymorphism was associated with uterine leiomyoma

Prooxidant-Antioxidant Balance in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus and Its Relationship with Clinical and Laboratory Findings

Aim. This study was aimed at evaluating prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and its relationship with laboratory findings and clinical manifestations. Methods. In this case-control study, 60 patients with SLE and 60 healthy individuals were enrolled. The blood samples were collected and their sera were separated. Subsequently, the prooxidant-antioxidant balance value was evaluated using PAB assay for each sample. Results. The mean of PAB values in SLE patients was significantly higher than healthy controls (147.3±42 versus 84.8±32.2 HK, P<0.0001). Furthermore, in SLE patients, there was a positive significant correlation between the PAB and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (r=0.492, P<0.001). In addition, the PAB values in patients with alopecia, discoid rash, oral ulcers, arthritis, and nephritis were significantly higher than those without these manifestations. Conclusion. The findings of current study showed that the mean of PAB was significantly higher in SLE patients and PAB was correlated with ESR. Moreover increased PAB was found in SLE patients with alopecia, discoid rash, oral ulcers, arthritis, and nephritis. These findings suggest that the measurement of PAB may be useful to show oxidative stress condition in SLE patients

Sexual Risk Behaviors and Condom Use Barriers in Iranian Men with Substance Use Disorders

Background: We aimed to investigate risky sexual behaviors (RSBs) and condom use barriers in Iranian men with substance use disorders (SUDs).Methods: Of the total 1800 outpatient drug free (ODF) and methadone maintenance treatment program (MMTP) active centers in Tehran, Iran, six were selected to participate in the current study. Data were collected (n = 300 men) using three questionnaires including a demographic questionnaire, the Risky Sexual Behavior Questionnaire (RSBQ), and the Condom Barriers Scale (CBS). The statistical software R, analysis of variance post hoc and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) logistic regression tests were used in data analysis.Findings: The majority, (n = 194, 64.7%) reported at least one lifetime episode of RSBs. Compared to married participants (23.1%), 88.5% of single and 87.0% of divorced men had a history of RSB. Generally, the lowest and highest subscale scores of the CBS were related to sexual experience (2.60 ± 0.71) and access/availability structure (3.77 ± 0.54), respectively. The results of MANOVA analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the CSB subscales based on the participants' education and marital status (P < 0.001). Only the partner barrier subscale had a significant negative relationship (P = 0.003) with RSB.Conclusion: Sexual dynamic of Iranian men with SUDs is different. Barriers to condom use seem to be socio-culturally determined. Culturally acceptable strategies need to be utilized in Iranian clinical settings reaching beyond simply condom accessibility for this at risk population

Cyst Formation from Virulent RH Strain of Toxoplasma gondii Tachyzoite: In Vitro Cultivation

Background: This study was performed to induce conversion of RH strain tachyzoites of Toxoplasma gondii to bradyzoites by pH changing of the cul­ture medium. Methods: HeLa cell monolayers were infected at a 1:1 tachyzoite to cell ratio. Four hours after infection, the culture medium was removed and re­placed with culture medium and 5% FCS, adjusted to pH 8 with NaOH. The culture was maintained at 37 °C without CO2 until the end of the ex­periment. Cyst-like structures were collected and stained with periodic acid schiff (PAS) staining method. The soluble antigens of cyst-like structures of RH strain, in addition to RH tachyzoite, bradyzoites of avirulent Tehran strain and uninfected HeLa cells were electrophoresed on 12.5% poly­acrylamide gel. The gel was stained by coomassie brilliant blue R-250. Results: Four days after infection of HeLa cells with tachyzoites of T. gondii, RH strain, cyst- like structures were noticed and stained with PAS. In the SDS-PAGE, protein bands of these structures had some differences with tachyzoites of RH strain, but there was quite similarity between pro­tein bands of these structures and tissue cysts (bradyzoites) of Tehran strains. P34 and P36 (bradyzoite-specific proteins) were observed only in T. gondii bradyzoites of RH (cyst like structures) and bradyzoites of Tehran strains. Conclusion: Alkalization of culture medium to pH 8 induced expression of bradyzoite- specific proteins and production of RH cysts in cell culture

Comparison of CAT-21A/T Gene Polymorphism in Women with Preeclampsia and Control Group

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the main causes of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Evidence shows that oxidative stress plays an important role in the pathophysiology of the PE. As catalase is a key enzyme in antioxidant enzymatic defense which protects cell from oxidative damage, in this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between CAT-21A/T (rs7943316) polymorphism and PE susceptibility. Materials and Methods: This case–control study was conducted on 155 PE women and 159 normotensive pregnant women. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method was used for genotyping. Results: There was no association between CAT-21AT and TT genotypes and PE susceptibility. However, the CAT-21A/T polymorphism was associated with 1.6-fold higher risk of PE in dominant model (AA vs. AT + TT) (odds ratio [OR] 1.6 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.9–2.9]; P = 0.04). However, the CAT-21A/T polymorphism was not associated with PE in recessive model (TT vs. AA + AT) (OR 1.3 [95% CI: 0.8–2.1]; P = 0.4). Conclusions: The CAT-21A/T polymorphism could be a risk factor for PE susceptibility in dominant model

Association of XRCC1 Arg399GIn and Tp53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms and increased risk of uterine leiomyoma - A case-control study

Abstract The aim of present study was to investigate the role of the X-ray repair cross-complementing protein1 (XRCC1) and Tumor protein p53 (Tp53) polymorphisms in Uterine Leiomyoma (UL) susceptibility in southeastern Iran. This case control study was performed on 139 women with UL and 149 age, BMI and ethnicity matched healthy women. All women were genotyped for the XRCC1 Arg399Gln, XRCC1 Arg194Trp and Tp53 Arg72Pro polymorphisms. The frequency of Tp53 72 Pro/Pro genotype was significantly higher in UL women compared to controls. The risk of UL was 1.5 fold higher in women with the Pro/Pro genotype (OR, 1.5 [95% CI, 1.1 to 2.1], p = 0.012). Moreover, the frequency of the Pro allele was significantly higher in the UL women. Although the frequency of XRCC1 Arg399Gln genotypes did not significantly differ between UL and control groups before adjusting for age, there was an association between the XRCC1 Arg/Gln genotype and UL after adjusting for age (OR, 1.8 [95% CI, 1.1 to 3]). No association was observed between the XRCC1 Arg194Trp polymorphism and UL. The Pro/Pro genotype of Tp53 Arg72Pro polymorphism was associated with UL susceptibility. In addition, the XRCC1 Arg/Gln genotype was associated with increased risk of UL after adjusting for age

Association of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Intron 16 Insertion/Deletion and Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor A1166C Gene Polymorphisms with Preeclampsia in South East of Iran

Some evidence suggests that a variety of genetic factors contributed in pathogenesis of the preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to assess the association between the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) I/D and angiotensin II type1 receptor A1166C polymorphisms with preeclampsia. This study was performed in 125 preeclamptic pregnant women and 132 controls. The I/D Polymorphism of the ACE gene was assessed by polymerase chain reaction and the A1166C Polymorphism of the AT1R gene was determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism. The genotype and allele frequencies of I/D polymorphism differed between two groups. The risk of preeclampsia was 3.2-fold in pregnant women with D allele (OR, 3.2 [95% CI, 1.1 to 3.8]; P=0.01). The distribution of the AT1R gene A1166C polymorphism was similar in affected and control groups. Our results supported that presence of the I/D polymorphism of ACE gene is a marker for the increased risk of preeclampsia