Comparison of depression, anxiety, quality of life, vitality and mental health between premenopausal and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to investigate and compare the rates of depression, anxiety, quality of life, vitality and mental health between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHOD: The sample included 218 women selected randomly from the cultural center of Tehran in November and December 2013 and was divided into two groups. The first group included 110 postmenopausal women (45-55 years old). One year had passed since their last monthly period and they had not used any hormones. The second group included 108 premenopausal women (35-45 years old) who had not yet experienced menopause. In order to assess data, three tests were used: the Zung Anxiety Self-Report scale, the Beck Depression Inventory and the Quality of Life questionnaire (SF-36). The gathered data were analyzed with the T-test for independent groups. RESULTS: The results indicated that all five hypotheses were confirmed. There were significant differences between the scores of anxiety, depression, quality of life, vitality and mental health between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Since menopausal women spend almost one-third of their long life in this situation, it can be useful to recognize the causes of these disorders in women and their influences on their families. We can also increase their motivation and self-efficacy in order to improve their quality of life.

Agents capable of eliminating reactive oxygen species. Catalase, WR-2721, or Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 decrease experimental colitis.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as superoxide anion, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical, and hypochlorous acid have been implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammation and tissue injury in colitis. To determine whether or not anti-ROS agents can decrease the severity of colitis, we evaluated the effects of three known anti-ROS agents: catalase, WR-2721, and Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 on acetic acid-induced colonic inflammation in rats. Histologically, all three compounds significantly decreased the severity of colonic inflammation. The anti-ROS activity of these compounds was also tested using the luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence assay. Catalase, WR-2721, or Cu(II)2(3,5-DIPS)4 significantly inhibited luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence produced by inflamed colonic mucosa. These findings suggest that ROS, and in particular superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and/or one of its secondarily derived species, may play an important role in acetic acid-induced colitis. Further studies are needed to determine the potential effectiveness of these compounds in human colitis.