Serum and follicular fluid levels of soluble receptor for advanced glycation end-products in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are known to associate with the pathogenesis of several chronic diseases via interaction with their corresponding receptor (RAGE). The soluble forms of RAGE (sRAGE) are considered as anti-inflammatory agents by inhibiting the consequent adverse effects of AGE. We aimed at comparing sRAGE levels in the follicular fluid (FF) and serum of women with or without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) who underwent controlled ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilisation (IVF). METHODS: A total of forty-five eligible women (26 non-PCOS (control) and 19 patients with PCOS (case)) were included the study. sRAGEs in FF and blood serum were measured using ELISA kit. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found in FF and serum sRAGE between case and control groups. Correlation analysis showed a significant and positive relationship between serum levels of sRAGE and FF sRAGE in PCOS (r = 0.639; p = 0.004), in control participants (r = 0.481; p = 0.017), and in total participants (r = 0.552; p = 0.000). Data revealed a statistically significant difference in FF sRAGE concentration among all participants by body mass index (BMI) categories (p = 0.01) and in controls (p = 0.022). Significant differences were found for all the nutrients and AGEs consumption according to Food Frequency Questionnaire in both groups (p = 0.0001). A significant reverse relationship was found between FF levels of sRAGE and AGE in PCOS (r = -0.513; p = 0.025). The concentration of sRAGE in serum and FF is the same in PCOS and control. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed for the first time that there are no statistically significant differences between the concentration of serum sRAGE and FF sRAGE among Iranian women with and without PCOS. However, BMI and dietary intake of AGEs have more significant effects on sRAGE concentration in Iranian women. Future studies in developed and developing countries with larger sample sizes are required to determine the long-term consequences of chronic AGE over consumption and the optimal strategies for minimizing AGE-related pathology, specifically in low income and developing countries.

Evaluation of Azoospermic Patients to Distinguish Obstructive from Non-Obstructive Azoospermia, and Necessity of Diagnostic Testis Biopsy: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Accurate etiology of azoospermia is required for optimal management of patients. The aim of this
study was the determination of serum hormonal levels and testicular long axis cut off points to distinguish obstructive
azoospermia (OA) from non-OA (NOA) in Iranian patients as well as the evaluation of the necessity of diagnostic
testis biopsy in azoospermic patients.
Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, data of 471 azoospermic patients such as history and physical
examination, serum hormonal level, semen fluid parameter, and testicular long axis based on ultrasound were
evaluated from 2016 to 2020. All patients were examined by a single urologist and underwent a diagnostic testis
biopsy for a definite diagnosis. The diagnostic parameters were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social
Sciences (SPSS) version 16 with t test and chi-square test and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves to
distinguish NOA from OA.
Results: A total of 127 patients with OA and 284 with NOA were included in this study. The mean serum testosterone
level was significantly higher in OA than NOA (4.2 vs. 3.4 ng/ml), whereas the mean serum follicular stimulating hormone
(FSH, 5.3 vs. 19.1 mIU/ml) and luteinizing hormone (LH, 5.3 vs. 11 mIU/ml) were lower in OA. ROC curve analysis
showed that FSH and testicular long axis were the best diagnostic predictors. Using a combination of serum FSH (8.9
mIU/ml) and testicular long axis (39 mm), the positive predictive value for NOA was 97.02% and for OA was 78.8%.
Conclusion: Combination of serum FSH higher than 8.9 mIU/ml and testicular long axis lower than 39 mm were
strong predictors to distinguish NOA from OA in Iranian participants in this study. In addition, diagnostic testicular
biopsy seems to be necessary for patients with OA and NOA characteristics.

Efficacy of tadalafil on improvement of men with erectile dysfunction caused by COVID-19: A randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Objective: According to the high prevalence of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the subsequent risk of men's sexual health, we decided to investigate the efficacy of tadalafil on improvement of men with erectile dysfunction caused by COVID-19. Methods: In this study, 70 outpatients who were recovered from COVID-19 without acute respiratory distress syndrome with negative polymerase chain reaction test and a complaint of erectile dysfunction were divided into two groups: 35 patients who received tadalafil 5 mg daily and 35 who received placebo. For each patient, basic assessment of sexual function was performed using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. Then, treatment was started from two months after complete recovery of COVID-19 with negative polymerase chain reaction test for 3 months. At the end of the treatments, the patients were re-evaluated for sexual function using the complete version of IIEF questionnaire. Finally, the results before and after treatment in the intervention group were compared with those of the control group. Results: Treatment with both tadalafil and placebo improved the patients' sexual function criteria compared to the baseline. However, this improvement was significantly higher in the intervention group with tadalafil than the control group with placebo (p<0.05). Conclusions: Daily administration of tadalafil 5 mg seems to be effective and safe for improvement of erectile dysfunction caused by COVID-19.

The Association between Fish Consumption and Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Adults: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

Objective: Although fish consumption may play a role in prevention of the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), results of studies available on this topic are controversial. In this study, we have examined the association of fish consumption and 3.6-year incidence of MetS in Tehranian adults. METHODS: We conducted a population based cohort study of 3382 adult subjects, aged 19-55 years, from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). Fish consumption data were collected using a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire. The consumption of fish, in the form of canned and non-canned fish was designated for all subjects, and was classified into three categories (< 30, 30-45, and > 45 g/week). Odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of MetS according to categories of fish consumption was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The mean age of participants (35% male) at baseline was 35 years. Mean fish consumption was 11.3 g/d and incidence of MetS was 13.1%. In the fully adjusted model, subjects, who consumed > 45 g/week of fish had lower incidence of MetS, compared to those who consumed < 30 g/week (OR = 0.73; CI: 0.56-0.95). However, there were no associations between consumption of non-canned fish (OR = 0.86; 95% CI: 0.67-1.10) and canned fish (OR = 0.91; 95% CI: 0.64-1.29) and the incidence of MetS. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that high consumption of fish can reduce the incidence of MetS among adults.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with reduced risk of incident chronic kidney diseases among Tehranian adults.

Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet has beneficial effects on the prevention of chronic diseases. In the current study, we investigated the association between the Mediterranean diet score (MDS) and the 6-year incidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), conducted in the framework of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study with 1212 adults, aged 30-71 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a valid and reliable food-frequency questionnaire, and all subjects received scores between 0 and 8 points based on the traditional MDS. The components of the MDS were fruits and nuts, vegetables, legumes, cereals, fish, meat, dairy products and the monounsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio. The odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of CKD according to the quartiles of the MDS was assessed by multivariable logistic regression. The mean (s.d.) age of participants (51% male) at baseline was 43.5 (9.4) years. The median (25-75 interquartile range) of MDS for all subjects was 4 (3-5).The incidence of CKD was 19%. After adjustment for all potential confounding variables, individuals in the highest quartile of the MDS were 51% less likely to have CKD than those in the lowest quartile (OR=0.49; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30-0.82). Additionally, after further adjustment for baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the inverse association between the MDS and the 6-year incidence of CKD remained significant (OR=0.53; 95% CI: 0.31-0.91). Our findings demonstrate a significant inverse association between the MDS and the risk of incident CKD, indicating that adherence to the Mediterranean diet has favorable effects on the prevention of kidney dysfunction.

Healthy eating index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A case-control study.

BACKGROUND: Despite many effort to identify and control the factors involved in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), there are no available reports indicating the association of healthy eating index (HEI) and PCOS. OBJECTIVE: The present study has been conducted to examine the relationship between HEI and PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this case-control study, the study population comprised 297 women aged 20-40 yr referred to Baqiyatallah Hospital Clinics, Tehran, Iran in two groups: case group (n=99) and control group (n=198). The usual dietary data were collected using a validated 168-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Standard anthropometric measurements (height, weight, and waist circumference) were also taken. Unconditional logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the PCOS and the HEI. RESULTS: The mean age and body mass index of case and control groups were 29±5.5 vs. 29.5±6 yr and 26.6±4.8 vs. 26±4.2 kg/m², respectively (p=0.752, p=0.822). Mean HEI scores for the case and control groups were found to be 61 and 65, respectively. In final model and after adjustment for confounders, the prevalence of PCOS in subjects in the highest tertile HEI score was significantly (50%) less than those in the lowest tertile HEI score (OR=0.50; 95% CI: 0.25-0.74, p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that HEI score is inversely associated with the risk of PCOS in adult women.

The Relationship Between Occupation Transition Status and Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Women: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study.

PURPOSE: Although occupation status may play a role in the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS), data on this topic are limited. The aim was to examine the association between occupation transition status and the 12-year incidence of MetS in adult women of a population-based cohort study. METHODS: A total of 2406 women, aged ≥20 years, were selected from the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study. Subjects were free of MetS at baseline and followed for a mean of 12 years. Based on occupation transition from baseline to the end of follow-up, women were classified into four groups: employed-employed (group I), employed-unemployed (group II), unemployed-employed (group III), and unemployed-unemployed (group IV). The odds ratio (OR) for the occurrence of MetS and its components according to occupation transition status was assessed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: The incidence of MetS in group I and group IV was 15.6% and 29.3%, respectively. In comparison with women in group I, those in group IV had higher risk of MetS (OR = 2.45, 95% CI, 1.6-3.8); however, after adjustment for age, education level, marital status, smoking, and body mass index, the association between occupation status and MetS was not significant (OR = 1.38, 95% CI, 0.83-2.27). In the fully adjusted model, women who were employed at baseline and unemployed at the end of follow-up had greater risk of incident MetS (OR = 2.26, 95% CI, 1.26-4.06) and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (OR = 2.34, 95% CI, 1.40-3.85) compared with those who were constantly employed. CONCLUSION: Occupation transition from employed to unemployed status was found to increase risk of incident MetS.