Chemotherapeutic efficacy of an ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract against chromium-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

This study was conducted to determine the mechanism underlying the chemotherapeutic efficacy of an ethanolic Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLEE) against chromium-induced impairments of rat testes using biochemical methods. Twenty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups of five animals each. Group I (control), group II injected potassium dichromate (8 mg kg(-1) ) i.p., group III gastrogavaged MOLEE (500 mg kg(-1) ) p.o. and group IV received (potassium dichromate plus MOLEE) by the same doses for 60 days. After the blood samples were collected, the animals were sacrificed to determine the testicular antioxidant status and sperm parameters. The chromium-treated group exhibited a significant decrease in testicular antioxidant enzymatic activities, local immunity and sperm parameters as well as an increase in inflammatory markers when compared with the control and MOLEE-treated group. However, concurrent administration of chromium and MOLEE significantly ameliorated the chromium effects on the sperm parameters, local immunity, inflammatory markers and antioxidant enzymatic activities compared with rats exposed to chromium alone. This study concludes that chronic exposure to chromium produces clear testicular toxicity, which can either be prevented or at least decreased by concomitant administration of MOLEE. Interestingly, the metal ion chelation could attribute partly the antioxidant activities of MOLEE.

Intralipid therapy for recurrent implantation failure: new hope or false dawn?

Recurrent embryo implantation failure (RIF) is a disorder with potentially devastating physiological and psychological manifestations for those affected. Although its prevalence is not uncommon, many of the mechanisms involved still require elucidation. Both organ-specific and systemic autoimmunity are associated with an increased prevalence of recurrent miscarriage and reproductive failure, rendering the role of the maternal immunological system in fertility a key concept. It is believed by some that central to this theme is the maternal cytokine profile, with particularly T-helper (Th) cells. Immune modulating therapies have therefore been mooted as potential therapeutic strategies. Recent reports of high pregnancy rates achievable in women with RIF have added fuel to the debate regarding the effectiveness of intralipid in modulating the immune system. We would like to assess if there is sufficient current evidence of acceptable quality to permit an assumption that intralipid therapy is an effective treatment for women undergoing repeated assisted reproduction cycles. We have concluded that appropriately controlled, large-scale, confirmatory studies are necessary to prove the efficacy of intralipid before it can be recommended for routine use.

Adhesion reduction agents in gynaecological procedures: can NHS aff ord it? An economic cost efficiency analysis.

We examined the total costs to the National Health Service (NHS, UK) paid to treat adhesion complications and determine the theoretical savings and cost-effectiveness incurred if anti-adhesion agents were adopted. Using Healthcare Resource Groups (HRG) codes, we calculated the costs incurred through Payment by Results (PbR) and then calculated the financial savings that could be realised through the use of anti-adhesion agents. There were 62,186 adhesion-related consultant episodes between 2004 and 2008 encountered within the NHS. If an anti-adhesion agent cost £110 per usage, and can reduce adhesions in 25% of patients undergoing surgery, assuming that 25% of patients were readmitted in the first year after the primary surgery, the financial cost to the health service is, at best, savings of more than £700,000 and at worst, cost neutral to the NHS.