Diminished ovarian reserve is associated with metabolic disturbances and hyperhomocysteinemia in women with infertility.

BACKGROUND: To distinguish the metabolic profile between women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) and those with normal ovarian reserve (NOR). METHODS: In this retrospective study, we enrolled 524 women under the age of 40 who were experiencing infertility: 261 in the DOR group and 263 in the NOR group. Physical characteristics and metabolic parameters were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: Women with DOR exhibited a higher propensity for elevated parameters including body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), as well as heightened serum levels of homocysteine (Hcy), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index, while concurrently experiencing reduced serum levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the incidence rates of TG ≥ 1.7 mmol/L, hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy), BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2, SBP/DBP ≥ 130/85 mmHg, and metabolic syndrome (MS) were significantly elevated within the DOR group as compared to the NOR group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of metabolic disturbances and HHcy were notably elevated in women with infertility and DOR compared to those with NOR.

This study focused on the metabolic condition of women who had difficulty getting pregnant and had a decreased ovarian reserve. The findings indicated that these women had a higher likelihood of glucose and lipid metabolic disorders and elevated serum homocysteine levels compared to those with a normal ovarian reserve. These metabolic issues and elevated serum homocysteine levels were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.

Rosmarinic acid exerts anti-inflammatory effect and relieves oxidative stress via Nrf2 activation in carbon tetrachloride-induced liver damage.

Background: Rosmarinic acid (RA) has biological and pharmaceutical properties and shows hepatoprotective potential. However, the hepatoprotective mechanism of RA needs to be further elucidated in vivo and in vitro. Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate the protective effect of RA on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver injury and elucidate the hepatoprotective mechanism of RA in vivo and in vitro. Design: In vivo, the mice were orally administrated with RA (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg bw) daily for 28 consecutive days, and 1% CCl4 (5 mL/kg bw, dissolved in peanut oil) was used to induce liver injury. In vitro, the big rat liver (BRL) hepatocytes were pretreated with RA (0.2, 0.4, and 0.8 mg/mL) for 3 h, and then the hepatocytes were treated with CC14 (final concentration, 14 mM) for 3 h to induce cell injury. The related indexes, including hepatic function, oxidative stress, protein expression of nuclear-factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, inflammation, histopathological change, hepatocyte apoptosis, and mitochondrial membrane potential, were evaluated. Results: Oral administration of RA to mice considerably decreased the CCl4-induced elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), triacylglycerols (TG), total cholesterol (TC), total bilirubin (TBIL), hepatic reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8). RA also increased the levels of hepatic glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) and the protein expressions of Nrf2, quinine oxidoreductase (NQO1), and heme oxygenease-1 (HO-1). Histopathological examinations indicated that RA (20 and 40 mg/kg bw) alleviated the liver tissue injury induced by CCl4. Moreover, RA inhibited the hepatocyte apoptosis caused by CCl4 based on TUNEL assay. In vitro, RA pretreatment remarkably recovered the cell viability and reduced the CCl4-induced elevation of AST, ALT, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), ROS, and 8-OHdG. Immunohistochemistry staining demonstrated that pretreatment with RA markedly inhibited the expression of IL-6, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and Caspase-3 in CCl4-treated hepatocytes. Additionally, RA pretreatment significantly decreased the elevation of mitochondrial membrane potential in CCl4-treated hepatocytes. Conclusions: RA exerted a protective effect against CCl4-induced liver injury in mice through activating Nrf2 signaling pathway, reducing antioxidant damage, suppressing inflammatory response, and inhibiting hepatocyte apoptosis. RA could attenuate BRL hepatocyte ROS production, DNA oxidative damage, inflammatory response, and apoptosis induced by CCl4 exposure.

Ginkgo biloba Extract EGb761 Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Experimental Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice by Regulating the Balance of M1/M2 Macrophages and Nuclear Factor Kappa B (NF-κB)-Mediated Cellular Apoptosis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to show whether the standardized Ginkgo biloba extract EGb761, a traditional Chinese medicine, has a therapeutic effect on pulmonary fibrosis (PF). MATERIAL AND METHODS Bleomycin (BLM) was used for establishing the PF mouse model. The mice were treated with a gradient of EGb761 for 28 days to determine an appropriate drug dose. On day 28, the effect of EGb761 on lung injury and inflammation was confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining and evaluated by pulmonary alveolitis and Ashcroft score. The balance of M1/M2 macrophages was evaluated with the respective markers inducible nitric oxide synthase and and interleukin-10 by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Furthermore, the expressions of fibrosis-associated protein alpha-smooth muscle actin (SMA), related inflammatory protein transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1, the apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma-associated X protein (Bax), B-cell lymphoma (Bcl)-2, caspase-3, caspase-9, and phosphorylated nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB (p65) were assessed by western blot. RESULTS On day 28, PF was induced by treating with BLM, whereas EGb761 suppressed the PF of lung tissue. The BLM-induced imbalance of M1/M2 macrophages was reduced by EGb761. Furthermore, the increasing amounts of alpha-SMA and TGF-ß1 induced by BLM were suppressed by EGb761. In addition, the protein or messenger ribonucleic acid expression levels of phosphorylated NF-kappaB (p65), caspase-3, and caspase-9 were upregulated, whereas Bax and Bcl-2 were downregulated. Treatment with EGb761 restored the levels of these proteins except for caspase-9. CONCLUSIONS This study illustrated the protective effect of EGb761 on BLM-induced PF by regulating the balance of M1/M2 macrophages and NF-kappaB (p65)-mediated apoptosis. The results demonstrated the potential clinical therapeutic effect of EGb761, providing a novel possibility for curing PF.

Compatibility of sodium alginate and konjac glucomannan and their applications in fabricating low-fat mayonnaise-like emulsion gels.

In this study, the compatibility of alginate (Alg) and konjac glucomannan (KGM) in aqueous solutions was evaluated by dilute solution viscometry (DSV). It was found that when Alg: KGM ratio was lower than 6:4 (w/w), Alg and KGM were compatible, which was subsequently confirmed by SEM, AFM and TEM. Moreover, by dispersing emulsified oil droplets into Alg gel matrix, followed by addition of KGM to thicken the system, where the ratio of Alg: KGM was 5:5, a class of emulsion gels with significant thixotropy and viscoelasticity could be obtained. The prepared emulsion gels displayed good thermal stability and freeze-thaw stability, with no oil droplet coalescence observed after heating at 100°C for 30 min or freezing the gels at -18°C for 24 h. Overall, the mixed Alg/KGM system is expected to provide a template for designing low-fat mayonnaise-like food emulsions.

Protective effect of free phenolics from Lycopus lucidus Turcz. root on carbon tetrachloride-induced liver injury in vivo and in vitro.

Protective effect of free phenolics from Lycopus lucidus Turcz. root (FPLR) on CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in vivo and in vitro was first evaluated. Oral administration of FPLR (100 mg/kg bw) to mice significantly reduced the CCl4-induced elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, triacylglycerols, total cholesterol, and total bilirubin. FPLR also increased the hepatic GSH contents and antioxidant enzyme activities of SOD and CAT and decreased the hepatic MDA level. Histopathological examinations further confirmed that the FPLR could protect the liver from CCl4-induced damage. Further research indicated that FPLR prevented the DNA fragmentation caused by CCl4 based on TUNEL assay. Moreover, immunohistochemistry staining demonstrated that pretreatment with FPLR significantly inhibited the elevation of hepatic TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, iNOS, COX-2, and Caspase-3 in CCl4-treated mice. In vitro experiments showed that FPLR remarkably reduced BRL hepatocyte apoptosis and damage caused by CCl4 treatment. These findings indicate that FPLR could be developed as a functional food or medication for therapeutic purpose and prevention of hepatic injury.

Subclinical hypothyroidism is associated with metabolic syndrome and clomiphene citrate resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the possible relationship between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and metabolic syndrome (MS) and the response to clomiphene citrate (CC) stimulation in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: One hundred and ninety-six women with PCOS were divided into two groups: (1) the SCH group with 92 patients; (2) the euthyroid (EU) group with 104 patients. Physical characteristics and metabolic parameters as well as the reaction to CC stimulating test were compared between these two groups. RESULTS: (1) In the SCH group, significantly higher body mass index, Ferriman-Gallwey score, serum triglyceride, insulin and glucose of oral glucose tolerance test, homeostatic model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and significantly lower serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in comparison with those in the EU group (p < 0.05). (2) The prevalence of CC resistance (30.4%), IR (43.5%) and MS (34.8%) in the SCH group was significantly higher than that in the EU group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: SCH was found associated with IR, MS and CC resistance in women with PCOS. PCOS patients with SCH may have a poorer treatment response to ovulation induction with CC.

Variation in nutritional compositions, antioxidant activity and microstructure of Lycopus lucidus Turcz. root at different harvest times.

The objective of this study was to investigate the variation in nutritional compositions, antioxidant activity and microstructure of Lycopus lucidus Turcz. root at different harvest times. L. lucidus Turcz. roots, harvested from two sites (S1 and S2) at three different times (T1: 19-11-2013, T2: 22-12-2013 and T3: 27-01-2014), were analyzed for nutritional compositions, antioxidant activity by DPPH, FRAP and TEAC assays and microstructure. The results revealed that the protein content in L. lucidus Turcz. root first decreased and then increased to a maximum at T3. The reducing sugar content had no significant differences among the three harvest dates studied. The starch content decreased drastically along with an increase of crude fat content with the harvest time delayed. The major amino acids in L. lucidus Turcz. root were aspartic acid and glutamate and the highest total amino acid content was found for the root harvested at T3. The most common element in L. lucidus Turcz. root was detected to be potassium followed by calcium, iron, magnesium, copper and manganese, and their changes were discrepant in the period of harvest. The FP and SGP possessed the highest and lowest phenolic content, respectively. The change of SEP was significantly correlated to the SGP at different harvest times. The highest TPC was found for the root harvested at T3 and the most abundant phenolic acid was chlorogenic acid. The highest and lowest DPPH radical scavenging capacity was observed for the SGP and FP, respectively. The highest and lowest FRAP and TEAC were observed for the FP and SGP, respectively. The results of correlation analysis indicated that there was significant correlation between phenolic content and FRAP and TEAC, and different antioxidant assays. The microstructure of L. lucidus Turcz. root also varied greatly with the harvest times.

Phenolic composition, DNA damage protective activity and hepatoprotective effect of free phenolic extract from Sphallerocarpus gracilis seeds.

The phenolic composition of the free phenolic extract from Sphallerocarpus gracilis seeds was analyzed by HPLC-MS and predominant compounds were chlorogenic acid, di-caffeoylquinic acid glucoside and luteolin-7-O-glucoside. The free phenolic extract was evaluated for DNA damage protective activity induced by ROO and OH radicals and hepatoprotective effect in vivo and in vitro. Results revealed that the free phenolic extract exhibited significant protective activity against both ROO and OH radical-induced DNA damage and the phenolic extract exerted more potent inhibitory activity against OH radical-induced damage than against that induced by ROO radicals. In vivo experimental results showed that the phenolic extract significantly prevented the increase of serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activities and hepatic malondialdehyde level caused by CCl4 in rats, and markedly increased hepatic superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase levels. Histopathological examinations further confirmed that the phenolic extract could protect the liver from CCl4-induced damage. In vitro experimental results showed that the phenolic extract could reduce BRL hepatocyte apoptosis and damage induced by CCl4. These findings indicate that the S. gracilis seed could be developed as a medicinal herb for the therapy and prevention of hepatic injury.

Long-term follow-up of children conceived through assisted reproductive technology.

Children conceived via assisted reproductive technologies (ART) are nowadays a substantial proportion of the population. It is important to follow up these children and evaluate whether they have elevated health risks compared to naturally conceived (NC) children. In recent years there has been a lot of work in this field. This review will summarize what is known about the health of ART-conceived children, encompassing neonatal outcomes, birth defects, growth and gonadal developments, physical health, neurological and neurodevelopmental outcomes, psychosocial developments, risk for cancer, and epigenetic abnormalities. Most of the children conceived after ART are normal. However, there is increasing evidence that ART-conceived children are at higher risk of poor perinatal outcome, birth defects, and epigenetic disorders, and the mechanism(s) leading to these changes have not been elucidated. Continuous follow-up of children after ART is of great importance as they progress through adolescence into adulthood, and new ART techniques are constantly being introduced.

Different sperm sources and parameters can influence intracytoplasmic sperm injection outcomes before embryo implantation.

To evaluate the effects of sperm with different parameters and sources on the outcomes of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), 1972 ICSI cycles were analyzed retrospectively. Groups 1 to 5 were composed of cycles using ejaculated sperm and were grouped according to sperm quantity, quality, and morphology into normal (288 cycles), or mild (329 cycles), moderate (522 cycles), severe (332 cycles), and extremely severe (171 cycles) oligozoospermia and/or asthenozoospermia and/or teratozoospermia (OAT) groups. Group 6 was composed of 250 cycles using testicular or epididymal sperm, and Group 7 consisted of 80 cycles using frozen-thawed sperm. We found that fertilization rates were gradually reduced from Groups 1 to 6, and reached statistical difference in Groups 5 and 6 (P<0.05). The high-quality embryo rate was higher in Group 1 than in Groups 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 (P<0.05). No statistical differences were observed in the rates of embryo cleavage, clinical pregnancy, miscarriage, live-birth, premature birth, low birth weight, weeks of premature birth, average birth weight, or sex ratio for all seven groups (P>0.05). A total of nine cases of malformation were observed, with a malformation rate of 1.25% (9/719). In conclusion, different sperm sources and parameters can affect ICSI outcomes before embryo implantation. A full assessment of offspring malformation will require further study using a larger sample size.

Main nutrients, phenolics, antioxidant activity, DNA damage protective effect and microstructure of Sphallerocarpus gracilis root at different harvest time.

Sphallerocarpus gracilis roots harvested at two different times (T1: 12-10-2009 and T2: 15-04-2010) were analysed for their main nutrients, phenolics, antioxidant activity, DNA damage protective effect and microstructure. Results revealed that higher amounts of starch were detected in T1 S. gracilis root, whereas higher levels of reducing sugar, protein, amino acids and phenolic compounds were determined in T2 S. gracilis root. The antioxidant activity was assessed by DPPH, FRAP and TEAC assay and T2 S. gracilis root was found to possess higher antioxidant activity. Also, results of the correlation analysis indicated that caffeic, p-coumaric and gallic acids contributed substantially to the antioxidant property and there was significant correlation between DPPH radicals scavenging capacity and FRAP and TEAC. The highest and lowest DNA damage protective effects were found of free phenolic extracts from T2 and T1 S. gracilis roots, respectively. The microstructure of S. gracilis root varied greatly with the harvest time.

[Research progress in outcome and safety of ICSI by different origin of sperm].

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is an crucial part of assistant reproductive technology nowadays, mainly used in severe male infertility. It's a very hot question whether different origin of sperms will affect the outcome and safety of ICSI. In this article,we reviewed the present researches on the outcome and safety of ICSI by different origin of sperms, including ejaculated sperms, testicular sperms,epididymal sperms and frozen-thawed sperms.