Follicular fluid oxidative stress biomarkers and ART outcomes in PCOS women undergoing in vitro fertilization: A cross-sectional study

Background: Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of anovulatory infertility. Oxidative stress (OS), which plays an important role in determining the developmental competence of an oocyte, may be involved in understanding infertility and poor outcomes cycles in PCOS women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Objective: To measure OS biomarkers in the follicular fluid of PCOS women undergoing IVF. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 women with PCOS (n = 43) and tubal factor (n = 57) undergoing IVF, who were referred to a tertiary medical center between January 2016 and September 2017 were enrolled. OS markers like reactive oxygen species (ROS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and 8-Isoprostane (8-IP) were tested in the follicular fluid and various IVF outcomes in the form of oocytes retrieved, fertilized, cleavage rate, grading of embryos and pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results: The results indicated that the levels of ROS, TAC, and 8-IP were higher in the PCOS group compared to the tubal group (p = 0.21, p = 0.95, and p < 0.05, respectively). Biomarkers based on the number of retrieved oocytes, cleavage rate, and grades of embryos did not differ significantly in the two groups. The median ROS, TAC, and 8-IP were not significantly different in the two groups in relation to the pregnancies, although the 8-IP levels were significantly raised in the PCOS women who had a miscarriage (p = 0.02). Conclusion: This study concluded the possible role of OS in PCOS women with increased higher level of 8-IP biomarker as a potential biomarker that needs further evaluation. Key words: Oxidative stress, ART, PCOS, Infertility, 8-IP.

Evaluation of Protective Effect of Ajwa Seed And Fruit on Renal Histopathological Changes in Diabetic Nephropathic Rats

Objective: To investigate the protective effect of Ajwa date seed and fruit on renal histological changes in alloxan induced diabetic rats. Methods: This was an experimental study and was conducted in Post Graduate Medical Institute. The duration of study was 6 weeks. In this study random allotment of 32 rats was done in four groups. Group 1 was treated as control. Diabetes was induced in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th group by alloxan injection intra peritoneally. Group 2 was diabetic non treated while group 3 and 4 were treated with Ajwa seed and flesh respectively. After six weeks, animals were anaesthetized and kidneys were then removed without delay and weighed. Kidney paraffin sections were prepared and stained with hematoxylin& eosin (H&E) and with Periodic acid Schiff (PAS) technique. Glomerular diameters were estimated. Glomerular volume determined by stage micrometer. Vascular, tubular injury and glomerular sclerosis were studied semi quantitatively. Results: The data showed that Ajwa date seed significantly reduced hyperglycemia but did not normalize the fasting blood glucose. We found exceedingly significant improvement in kidney weight, glomerular diameter, tubular and vascular injury with Ajwa date seed suggesting reduction in diabetic nephropathy. Ajwa seed diet found more effective in reducing nephropathy than Ajwa fruit diet. Current study displayed that the seed of Ajwa showed significant improvement in renal histological characteristics in diabetic rats. Conclusion: The findings showed that Ajwa date seed and flesh reduce loss of tubular and vascular damage in alloxan induced diabetes. Key Words: Oxidative stress, Kidney, Diabetes, Ajwa, Antioxidant, histopathology How to cite: Imran I., Mansoor M., Naqvi F., Akhtar M., Arshad W., Khan F. Evaluation of protective effect of Ajwa seed and fruit on renal histopathological changes in diabetic nephropathic rats. Esculapio 2021;17(01):104-109

(r)Alpha Lipoic Assists With Control of Neurogenic Orthostatic Hypotension, Hypertension, and Reduces Sudden Cardiac Death in Geriatric Diabetics

Background: 10-30% of people have Orthostatic Hypotension (OH), 1/3rd of the world’s population has Hypertension (HTN), and Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is twice as common and the most frequent manner of death in Type 2 diabetes (DM II), all of which can involve oxidative stress. Objective: To study the effect of the potent, natural antioxidant (r)Alpha Lipoic Acid in (1) neurogenic OH (NOH), (2) HTN, and (3) DMII SCD. Key words: Oxidative stress; Alpha Lipoic acid; Orthostatic hypotension; Hypertension; Sudden death;

The Underlying Role of Oxidative Stress in Neurodegeneration: A Mechanistic Review

Background: Neurodegeneration is a condition in which progressive loss of function and structure of neurons occurs. Several lines of evidence suggest that oxidative stress has a central role in neurodegenerative diseases. Objective: The aim was to survey molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of oxidative stress in developing different neurodegenerative diseases. Methods: Original and review articles were retrieved through a PubMed and Google scholar search (from 1989 to 2015) using the following key words: “oxidative stress”, “nerve degeneration” and “neurodegenerative diseases”. Results: A comprehensive analysis of the obtained articles confirmed strong involvement of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases through a variety of mechanisms including induction of oxidation of nucleic acids, proteins and lipids, formation of advanced glycation end products, mitochondrial dysfunction, glial cell activation, amyloid β deposition and plaque formation, apoptosis, cytokine production and inflammatory responses, and proteasome dysfunction. Conclusion: Regarding the pivotal role of oxidative stress in neurodegeneration, modulation of free radical production or alleviating their harmful effects can be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing and controlling neurodegenerative diseases. Accordingly; boosting endogenous antioxidant capacity besides providing exogenous sources of antioxidants merits future research in order to discover new therapeutic agents.

Oxidative stress as an important pathogenetic mechanism of changes in the reproductive health of women with somatoform diseases and violation of autonomic homeostasis

The objective: to investigate the status of phospholipids and neutral lipids of blood cells in fertile aged women with violation of autonomic homeostasis and changes in reproductive health. Patients and methods. We examined 360 women with violation of autonomic homeostasis in the form of autonomic dysfunction syndrome and somatofom dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system of hypertonic, hypotonic and cardiac type and changes in reproductive health such as: artificial abortions, infertility and uterine leiomyoma. Results. The article presents data from a study of lipid peroxidation of cell membranes in fertile aged women with violation of autonomic homeostasis and changes in reproductive health. The obtained data of decay products concentrations of phospholipids and neutral lipids of cellular membranes indicate the ravages of free radical compounds to form intermediates and final products of lipid peroxidation. The results confirm the role of oxidative stress as an important pathogenetic mechanism of changes in the reproductive health of women with somatoform disorders and violations of autonomic homeostasis. Conclusion. Changes in the concentration of phospholipids, neutral lipids and lipid peroxidation products indicate a destabilizing effect on cell membranes in women with violation of autonomic homeostasis and reproductive health changes. Increasing the number of phospholipid degradation products show a decrease in the liquid component of cell membranes, which in turn changes the nature receptor interaction, as evidenced by a study hormonal and leads to disruption of feedback mechanisms concentration of hormones in the blood. Key words: oxidative stress, lipid peroxidation, women of fertile age, violations of autonomic homeostasis, changes in reproductive health.

Oxidative Stress in Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Systematic Review

Background: Several parameters including inflammatory mediators, hormones, dietary factors, inflammatory genes, and oxidative stress (OS) have been considered to play a role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostate tissue damage and OS may lead to compensatory cellular proliferation with resulting hyperplastic growth. Methods: We searched MEDLINE for articles in English published up to March 2014 using the key words ‘oxidative stress', ‘antioxidants' and ‘benign prostatic hyperplasia'. Results: Prostatic inflammation can cause the generation of free radicals. The extent of oxidative damage can be exacerbated by a decreased efficiency of antioxidant defense mechanisms. The balance between OS and the antioxidant component also has a role in developing prostate disease. Several works show the role of oxidant products and of depletion of antioxidant substances in BPH patients. It is accepted that free radicals play a role in carcinogenesis and that BPH should be considered a premalignant condition which may evolve into prostate cancer. High OS parameters and low antioxidant activity are more prominent in prostate cancer patients compared with BPH and controls. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to clarify the potential role of antioxidants in BPH also in view of preventing the progression to prostate cancer.

Lycopene - tomato's secret weapon against oxidative stress

Back ground: Lycopene, 40 carbon acyclic carotenoid containing 11 conjugated double bonds, is a phytochemical found in tomatoes and other red fruits. Oxygen derived free radicals are the most reactive species and as an antioxidant lycopene has a singlet oxygen quenching ability twice as high as that of ?-carotene and 10 times higher that of ?-tocoferol, lycopene participate in a host of chemical reactions to protect critical cellular biomolecules including lipid, proteins and DNA. Materials and Methods: The present study include 30 subjects having oxidative stress, age between 40-60 years, nonsmoker, with no history of chronic systemic illness and no medication were taken as patients.30 patients matched healthy subjects were taken as control. All subjects were selected from outpatient department of NSCB Medical College Jabalpur M.P. After estimation of base line antioxidant enzyme and vitamins, we supplement 180 gm of tomato (products like soup, paste. ketchup) contain 12 mg of lycopene to the patient group. After 60 days of lycopene supplementation oxidative stress biomarkers like SOD, GPX, GR, GSH, lipid peroxidation product MDA and other antioxidant vitamins A, vitamin C, vitamin E were estimated in patient's blood sample. Results: The main result of the study revealed that lipid per oxidation product MDA was found to be decreased significantly but after lycopene supplementation levels were improved. The results of SOD , GPX, GR, GSH,Vitamin A ,Vitamin E and Vitamin C were significantly increased after lycopene supplementation, it indicates the improved antioxidant profile after the supplementation of lycopene. Conclusion: There was a significant decrease in oxidative stress after the supplementation of lycopene therefore the study suggest that body's internal production of antioxidant is not enough to neutralize all free radicals, so increased dietary intake of antioxidant lycopene in the form of tomato products is beneficial, which is easily available in developing country like India. Key Words: Oxidative stress; Lycopene; MDA; GSH; SOD; Vitamin C; Vitamin E DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v10i4.9500 BJMS 2011; 10 (4): 275-279