Long-Term Administration of Abacavir and Etravirine Impairs Semen Quality and Alters Redox System and Bone Metabolism in Growing Male Wistar Rats.

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is used in HIV-infected patients. Alongside the prolongation of patients' life, adverse side effects associated with long-term therapy are becoming an increasing problem. Therefore, optimizing of HAART is extremely important. The study is aimed at evaluating the toxicity of abacavir and etravirine in monotherapy on the reproductive system, liver, kidneys, and bones in young, sexually mature, male rats. Thirty-six 8-week-old male Wistar rats randomized into three 12-animal groups received either normal saline (control), abacavir 60 mg/kg (AB group), or etravirine 40 mg/kg (ET group) once daily for 16 weeks. Semen morphology, oxide-redox state parameters (MDA, SOD, catalase, GPx, glutathione, GSH/GSSG ratio) in tissue homogenates (testes, liver, kidneys), and serum samples were studied. In bones, microcomputed tomography and a four-point bending test were performed. Total sperm count, sperm concentration, motility, and sperm morphology did not differ significantly in AB or ET groups compared to the control. In the flow cytometry of semen, an increased percentage of cells with denatured DNA was noticed for both tested drugs. However, no significant changes of oxide-redox state in testicular homogenates were found, except of increased SOD activity in the AB-receiving group. Additionally, ET significantly altered catalase and GPx in the liver and SOD activity in kidneys. Abacavir decreased catalase in the liver and GSH levels in kidneys. AB caused significant changes to bone microarchitecture (bone volume fraction, trabecular number, connectivity density, total porosity) and increased Young's modulus. Etravirine had a greater impact on macrometric parameters of bones (tibial index, mid-tibial diameter, femur length). After 4 weeks in the ET group, a lower 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 serum concentration was found. The results showed that abacavir and etravirine disturb oxidative stress. An increase in the percentage of sperms with chromatin damage suggests decreased fertility in rats receiving the studied drugs. Both drugs affected bone formation in growing rats. Additionally, etravirine disturbed vitamin D metabolism.

Nutritional habits in the light of general health behaviours of pregnant women.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Teaching pregnant women behaviours connected with care for one's health condition and a healthy lifestyle is crucial in perinatal care. Desired health behaviours, including nutritional habits, play an important role in the health of the mother, as well as the proper development of the foetus. The aim of the presented study was to analyse the subjective assessment of nutritional habits in the light of general health behaviours of pregnant women. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Research was conducted on a sample of 81 women in Szczecin. The methodological basis for investigation was Juczynski's Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI). General index of intensity of health behaviours (GIIHB) was calculated by adding the results for all the 24 statements included in the HBI. Four categories of health behaviours were analysed separately: proper nutritional habits, preventive behaviours, positive thinking and health practices. The study presents the analysis of proper nutritional habits (PNH) in the light of GIIHB of women attending antenatal classes. RESULTS: Results indicate that the PNH of pregnant women displays a positive correlation with their GIIHB (r=0.654; p<0.05). It is also shown that the PNH (r=0.26, p<0.05) and GIIHB (r=0.35; p<0.05) are related to the age of pregnant women participating in antenatal classes. CONCLUSIONS: Research indicates the need for education of pregnant women, initiatives and campaigns aimed at propagating and promoting proper health behaviours, including nutritional behaviours. There is a positive relationship between the PNH of women participating in antenatal classes and their GIIHB. Such measures should be addressed to women regardless of whether they participate in antenatal classes or not, and regardless of their age or level of education.