Examining the oleoylethanolamide supplement effects on glycemic status, oxidative stress, inflammation, and anti-mullerian hormone in polycystic ovary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This clinical trial was designed and conducted due to the anti-inflammatory potential of Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) to examine the effect of OEA supplement on glycemic status, oxidative stress, inflammatory factors, and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHOD: This study was a randomized clinical trial, double-blinded, placebo-controlled that was carried out on 90 women with PCOS. Patients were divided into two groups: receiving an OEA supplement (n = 45) or a placebo (n = 45). The intervention group received 125 mg/day OEA and the placebo group received the wheat flour for 8 weeks. Demographic data were collected through questionnaires. Fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin resistance (IR), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and AMH were measured before and after the study. RESULTS: Data analysis of food recall and physical activity questionnaires, showed no significant differences between the two groups (p > 0.05). Biochemical factors including glycemic status, MDA, inflammatory factors, and AMH decreased significantly (p < 0.05). TAC increased remarkably (p < 0.05) in comparison between the two groups, after the intervention. CONCLUSION: OEA supplement with anti-inflammatory characteristics could be efficient independent of diet changes and physical activity in improving disrupted biochemical factors, so both supplementation or food resources of this fatty acid could be considered as a compensatory remedy in patients with PCOS. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively (09-01-2022) registered in the Iranian website ( www.irct.ir ) for registration of clinical trials (IRCT20141025019669N20).

Consumption of pistachio nuts positively affects lipid profiles: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the effects of consuming pistachio nuts on lipid profiles (total cholesterol [TC], low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and triglyceride [TG]). Databases of PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to June 2019 to identify RCTs documenting the effects of consuming pistachio nuts on blood lipid profiles in adults. Effect sizes were reported as weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) using the random-effects models (DerSimonian-Laird method). Twelve eligible RCTs were included. Consumption of pistachio nuts decreased TC (WMD: -7.48 mg/dL; 95% CI, -12.62 to -2.34), LDL-C (WMD: -3.82 mg/dL; 95% CI, -5.49 to -2.16) and TG (WMD: -11.19 mg/dL; 95% CI, -14.21 to -8.17) levels. However, HDL-cholesterol levels (WMD: 2.45 mg/dL; 95% CI, -2.44 to 7.33) did not change following pistachio consumption. Consuming pistachio nuts may improve lipid profiles (TC, LDL-C, TG) in adults and may be protective against cardiometabolic diseases. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are required to confirm these results.

Improved glycemic status, insulin resistance and inflammation after receiving oral oleoylethanolamide supplement in people with prediabetes: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The anti-inflammatory properties of cannabinoids have been shown. This study was conducted to assess effect of oleoylethanolamide (OEA) supplementation on glycemic status, insulin resistance (IR) and inflammatory factor in pre-diabetic individuals. METHODS: This double-blind randomized clinical trial was done at Qazvin University of Medical Sciences in which 46 pre-diabetic patients were divided into two equal groups and received one 125 mg OEA capsule in the intervention group (23 subjects) and 125 mg capsule containing wheat flour in placebo group daily for 8 weeks. After collecting demographic information, at the beginning and end of the study, the questionnaires of physical activity, 24-hour food recall were completed and blood glucose (BG), plasma insulin level, IR, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: At the beginning and end of the study, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of anthropometric indices, food intake and physical activity (P > 0.05). At the end of the study, consumption of OEA significantly reduced BS, insulin, IR, HbA1c, and CRP (P < 0.05). No significant change was observed in mentioned biochemical factors in placebo group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Given that OEA supplementation improved the glycemic status, IR and reduced the inflammatory factor, use of this supplement can be introduced as a useful supplement to control pre-diabetes status. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The protocol of this clinical trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( http://www.IRCT.IR , identifier: IRCT20141025019669N16).

Decreased dysmenorrhea pain in girls by reducing oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers following supplementation with oleoylethanolamide: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the oleoylethanolamide (OEA) effects on oxidative stress and inflammatory factors in girls with primary dysmenorrhea. METHODS: This double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was done on population consisted of female students who had dysmenorrhea pain based on the visual analogue scale (VAS) questionnaire. Patients were randomly allocated to groups consuming a capsule containing 125 mg of OEA per day (n = 22) or placebo (n = 22) for 2 months. The severity of the pain, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured at the beginning and the end of the study. In this study, SPSS software was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: According to the results, oral supplementation with OEA for 60 days significantly increased TAC (p = 0.022) and decreased the menstrual pain (p = 0.040), MDA (p = 0.011), CRP (p = 0.01), and TNF-α (p = 0.038) compared to the placebo group. Also, intragroup changes were statistically significant on the mean of pain (p = 0.042), TAC (p = 0.032), MDA (p = 0.023), CRP (p = 0.027), and TNF-α (p = 0.029) at the end of the study in the intervention group. Changes in the studied factors at the end of the study compared to the beginning of the study in the placebo group were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Considering the reducing effects of OEA on menstrual pain, using of this supplement can be introduced as an alternative medicine to reduce the use of anti-inflammatory drugs.

Probiotic effects on sperm parameters, oxidative stress index, inflammatory factors and sex hormones in infertile men.

Decreased sperm motility is one of the main causes of male infertility. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on semen quality, seminal oxidative stress biomarkers, inflammatory factors and reproductive hormones. In this randomised, double-blind controlled clinical trial, 52 men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia attending a urology clinic, were randomly assigned to either an intervention or placebo (n = 26) group. This investigation was registered by the identification code of IRCT20141025019669N7 in the clinical trials registry of Iran. The Intervention group took 500 mg of Probiotics daily and the placebo group took a daily placebo for 10 weeks. Semen parameters, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, inflammatory factors and reproductive hormones were measured at baseline and at the end of the study. After the intervention, ejaculate volume, number, concentration and the percentage of motile sperm, total antioxidant capacity of plasma significantly increased and the concentration of plasma malondialdehyde and inflammatory markers significantly decreased in the intervention group. Probiotic supplementation in infertile men lead to a significant increase in sperm concentration and motility and a significant reduction in oxidative stress and inflammatory markers. Therefore, oral intake of probiotics has the potential to be one of the ways to deal with oxidative damage of sperm.

Improving Effect of Ellagic Acid on Sleep Quality and Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Patient With Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: The quality of sleep in people with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is reduced by increased oxidative stress and clinical problems. Assessing the effects of ellagic acid (EA) on sleep quality and gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with IBS was the aim of this study. METHODS: In this research that was conducted as a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 44 patients with IBS were enlisted. Individuals approved by the project clinical counselor were divided into two intervention groups to receive 180 mg of EA per day (n = 22) and a placebo group (n = 22) for 2 months. Petersburg's Sleep Quality (PSQI) questionnaire and IBS severity score system (IBSSS) were assessed at the beginning and end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: At the end of the study, changes in mean PSQI and scores related to sleep subgroups were significant between the two groups (P < .05). Also, the significant changes were not seen in sleep and sleep subgroups scores in the placebo group at the end of the study (P > .05). EA consumption reduced IBSSS score and IBS symptoms in the intervention group after 2 months (P < .05). DISCUSSION: The results arisen from this study indicated that receiving EA had a beneficial effect on sleep quality and gastrointestinal symptoms in IBS patients. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of EA may be responsible for these beneficial effects.

Randomized double blind clinical trial evaluating the Ellagic acid effects on insulin resistance, oxidative stress and sex hormones levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The design of this study was due to the report of the antioxidant properties of Ellagic acid (EA) for its evaluation on the Insulin resistance (IR), oxidative stress and sex hormones levels in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 60 patients were recruited. Patients were randomly allocated consumed a capsule containing 200 mg of EA per day (n = 30) or placebo (n = 30) for 8 weeks. The fasting blood sugar (FBS), insulin, IR, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), Malondialdehyde (MDA), C-reactive protein (CRP), Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), sex hormones and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) were measured at the beginning and end of the study. RESULT: At the end of the study, the mean of FBS, insulin, IR, TC, TG, LDL, MDA, CRP, TNF-α, total testosterone, prolactin and AMH were significantly decreased in the intervention group compared to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Also, there was a significant increase in the mean of TAC after supplementation with EA (P < 0.05). At the end of the study, no significant changes were observed in the mean of anthropometric factors, physical activity and food intake (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA supplementation can be helpful as a diet supplement in women with PCOS through improvement in insulin resistance. This supplement may be used to reduce metabolic disorders in women. TRIAL REGISTRATION: This study was retrospectively (07-07-2019) registered in the Iranian website ( www.irct.ir ) for registration of clinical trials ( IRCT20141025019669N12 ).

Effects of grape products on inflammation and oxidative stress: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were conducted to determine the effects of grapes and grape products on inflammation and oxidative stress among adults. PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to July 2020 to identify RCTs investigating the effects of grape and grape products on inflammatory and oxidative stress markers. Weighted mean differences (WMD) were pooled using a random-effects model. Of the 8,962 identified studies, 24 RCTs (27 arms) were included in the statistical analysis. Grape products significantly reduced serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels (WMD: -0.35 mg/L; 95% CI: -0.62, -0.09, p = .008), but they had no significant effect on serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (WMD = -1.08 pg/ml; 95% CI: -2.29, 0.11, p = .07), interleukin-6 (IL-6) (WMD = 0.13 pg/ml; 95% CI: -0.35, 0.60, p = .60), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (WMD = 0.15; 95% CI: -0.35, 0.65, p = .54), or malondialdehyde (MDA) (WMD = 0.14; 95% CI: -0.64, 0.92, p = .72). The analysis indicated possible decreasing effects of grapes and grape products on CRP, but they might not be able to change IL-6, TNF-α, TAC, and MDA concentrations. Nonetheless, further studies are warranted before definitive conclusions may be reached.

Decreased insulin resistance in diabetic patients by influencing Sirtuin1 and Fetuin-A following supplementation with ellagic acid: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: The beneficial effects of polyphenols have been reported. This study aimed to investigate the effect of oral Ellagic acid (EA) supplement on insulin resistance (IR) and Fetuin-A and serum sirtuin1 (SIRT1) in type 2 diabetics. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized clinical trial, 44 diabetic patients were selected. Patients were assigned to the intervention group (22 subjects) and placebo (22 subjects) and received a capsule containing 180 mg of EA per day or placebo for eight weeks, respectively. At the beginning and end of the study, anthropometric indices, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), plasma insulin level, IR, Fetuin-A, and SIRT1 were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: At the beginning and end of the study, there was no significant difference between the two groups regarding anthropometric indices (P > 0.05). At the end of the survey, EA supplementation significantly reduced FPG, insulin, IR, and Fetuin-A and increased SIRT1 levels compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). However, these changes were not significant in the placebo group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: EA with antioxidant properties plays an essential role in reducing the macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes by reducing inflammation and insulin resistance. Trial registration The protocol of this clinical trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials ( http://www.IRCT.IR , identifier: IRCT20141025019669N13).

Curcumin Nanomicelle Improves Lipid Profile, Stress Oxidative Factors and Inflammatory Markers in Patients Undergoing Coronary Elective Angioplasty; A Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Curcumin has demonstrated many pharmacological effects including antioxidants, anti-inflammation, eliminating free radicals, anti-tumor, lipid regulation, and anti-coagulation. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess and compare the effects of curcumin and nano-curcumin on lipid profile, oxidative stress, and inflammatory factors related to patient's heart. METHODS: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 90 patients undergoing coronary elective angioplasty who were randomly divided into 3 groups. The doses administered for 8 weeks were a 500 mg capsule of curcumin daily for the first group and an 80 mg capsule of nano-curcumin for the second group. However, the placebo group received capsules like curcumin. Lipid profile, oxidative stress factors, and inflammatory markers were measured at the baseline and end of the experiment. RESULTS: Statistically significant changes were observed in the total cholesterol (TC), triacylglycerol (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in the intervention groups to the control group (p<0.05). Curcumin and nano-curcumin supplementation also exhibited significant changes in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC), malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs- CRP), Interleukin 1 beta (IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in comparison to the placebo (p<0.05). Furthermore, the nano-curcumin group compared to the curcumin group demonstrated significant changes (p<0.05) in TC, TG, SOD, MDA and TNF-α levels. CONCLUSION: The effects of curcumin on nano formula may be better for cardiac patients due to its high bioavailability.

Effects of probiotic and alpha-lipoic acid supplements, separately or in combination on the anthropometric indicators and maintenance of weight in overweight individuals.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Weight loss after proper diet is one of the main topics in nutrition. This study was designed to evaluate the effects of probiotic and alpha-Lipoic acid (ALA) supplements on the anthropometric indicators and maintenance of weight in overweight individuals. METHODS: This study consisted of two phases of weight loss (8 weeks) and weight maintenance (16 weeks). Eighty-eight overweight participants were randomly divided into 4 groups in phase 1: isocaloric diet with probiotic (500 mg), an isocaloric diet with ALA (600 mg) and probiotic, an isocaloric diet with ALA and isocaloric diet with placebo. In phase 2, participants received a normal diet with the mentioned supplements. In the beginning, end of the phase 1, and at the end of phase 2, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), body fat percentage, and blood pressure (BP) were measured. Also, 10 cc blood samples were taken from subjects to measure C-reactive protein (CRP). Data was analyzed using SPSS software. RESULTS: At the end of the two phases, the differences of changes in the probiotic + ALA group was significant in weight, WC, and CRP factors when compared to the other groups (P < 0.05). Also, at the end of the study, maintain a reduced weight was significantly higher in the probiotic + ALA group than in the other groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: According to findings, probiotics and ALA supplementation with normal diet help to maintain decreased weight after adhering to a weight loss diet. This may be due to the reduction of inflammation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: (IRCT20141025019669N10).

Effect of lipoic acid supplementation on gene expression and activity of glutathione S-transferase enzyme in infertile men.

Oxidative stress has become the focus of interest as a potential cause of male infertility. We evaluate effects of lipoic acid (LA) supplementation on glutathione S-transferase (GST) expression. This randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 44 infertile males with idiopathic asthenozoospermia. Men were randomized to receive 600 mg LA or placebo once daily for 12 weeks and semen samples and venous blood samples were obtained. GST expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, GST activity and reproductive hormone profiles were also measured. GST expression in the intervention group were significantly higher than the control group. Also, at the end of the study, GST activity increased, and ROS levels decreased significantly compared to the baseline. Additionally, the intervention group showed an increase in testosterone and decrease in serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and prolactin after 12 weeks, but this difference was not significant. We conclude a 12-week treatment with LA leads to improvements in reproductive hormones in serum, and significantly reduces the generation of ROS and increases the gene expression and activity of GST in seminal fluid.

The Role of the Curcumin for Inducing Apoptosis in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Cells: A Systematic Review.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a hematological malignancy of lymphoid progenitor cells associated with excessive proliferation of lymphocytes. Curcumin, a polyphenolic compound, is known to possess anticancer activity. However, the mechanism of apoptosis induction differs in cancers. In this study, we discuss the potential apoptosis and anticancer effect of curcumin on the ALL. After choosing Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) keywords, including "Curcumin", "acute lymphoblastic leukemia", "apoptosis", as well as searching Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Sciencedirect. hand searching in key journals, list of references of selected articles and gray literature, without time and language limitation, articles up to December 2017 were entered into this review. In this review, 244 articles were acquired at the primary search. Study selection and quality assessment processes were done based on Cochrane library guidelines. According to six articles that were selected, curcumin could enhance the antitumor activity of chemotherapy drugs such as L-asparaginase. Curcumin induces apoptosis in Pre B- ALL and T- ALL cells by decreased NF-kB levels, increased p53 levels, PARP-1 cleavage. Also, the induction of growth-arrest and apoptosis in association with the blockade of constitutively active JAK-STAT pathway suggests this be a mechanism by curcumin. Curcumin could be used for the treatment of cancer like ALL.

A randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, evaluating the sesamin supplement effects on proteolytic enzymes, inflammatory markers, and clinical indices in women with rheumatoid arthritis.

Inflammation is one of the main characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis. Based on the antiinflammatory properties of sesame, this study was conducted to evaluate the sesamin supplement effects on serum levels of some proteolytic enzymes, inflammatory biomarkers, and clinical indices in women with rheumatoid arthritis. In this randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 44 patients were randomly divided in intervention and control groups. Patients received 200-mg/day sesamin supplement or placebo in the intervention and control group for 6 weeks. Serum levels of proteolytic enzymes (hyaluronidase, aggrecanase, and matrix metalloproteinases-3) and inflammatory biomarkers (hs-CRP, IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and cyclooxygenase-2) were measured with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method at the beginning and end of the study. After intervention, serum levels of hyaluronidase and matrix metalloproteinases-3 decreased significantly in sesamin group. Also, serum levels of hs-CRP, TNF-α, and cyclooxygenase-2 in intervention group were significantly decreased in intervention group compared with placebo group. Sesamin supplementation also caused a significant reduction in the number of tender joints and severity of pain in these patients. According to the results, it seems that the sesamin by reducing inflammatory mediators can relieve clinical symptoms and pathological changes that caused by inflammatory impairment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Propolis supplementation improves glycemic and antioxidant status in patients with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has risen dramatically in recent years. There are many different safe therapies used for diabetes and also number of natural supplements that can be used to manage diabetes. We assessed the effect of oral propolis supplementation on blood glucose, insulin resistance and antioxidant status in type 2 diabetes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial for 8-week. Sixty two patients with type 2 diabetes (30-55 years of age) were randomly assigned in two group, propolis (n = 31) and placebo (n = 31). Patients were given doses of 500 mg, three times a day (1500 mg), of propolis or placebo three time a day. The fasting blood sugar (FBS), two-hour postprandial glucose (2-hp), insulin, insulin resistance (IR), hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured at the beginning and end of the study. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: After two month, FBS, 2-hp, insulin, IR, HbA1c was significantly decreased in patients treated with propolis compared with placebo group (p < 0.05). Additionally intake of propolis significantly increased the blood levels of TAC and activity of GPx and SOD (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Propolis treatment can be helpful as a diet supplement in patients with type 2 diabetes through improvement in glycemic status, reduction in insulin resistance and amelioration in antioxidant status. This supplement without side effects can increase the effectiveness of prescribing drugs in diabetes.

Is there a relationship between serum vitamin D with dysmenorrhea pain in young women?

Dysmenorrhea, also known as painful periods, or menstrual cramps, is pain during menstruation. This study was done in young women that assess the association of serum vitamin D concentration and severity of dysmenorrhea pain. This descriptive-analytic study conducted on young girls referred to Shahid fakuri clinic in Tehran. Eligible girls completed the visual analog scale (VAS) and 372 participants with mild, moderate and severe dysmenorrhea completed the study. In order To measure the serum concentration of 25-hydroxy vitamin D, 5 ml of blood was be taken from participants. Most of the participants (53.22%) described their menstrual pain as moderate, while 24.73% and 22.04% of participants reported severe and mild dysmenorrhea respectively. About 37% of women had Vit D insufficiency, 36.55% had moderate Vit D deficiency, and 26.34% had severe deficiency. There was a negative correlation between the serum levels of 25(OH) D and pain indices (PV: 0.044). Positive relationship between pain intensity and waist circumference, hip circumference, fat percentage, and fat mass was observed, but between pain intensity with BMI and WHR no significant relationship was observed. According to these results supplementation with Vit D may be useful to girls for decreasing of dysmenorrhea pain.

Curcumin nanomicelle improves semen parameters, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, and reproductive hormones in infertile men: A randomized clinical trial.

At least 50% of infertile couple's problems are related to male factor infertility. This Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial conducted in Urology unit of Infertility Clinic on 60 infertile men. Patients were randomly assigned to one of intervention and placebo (n = 30) groups. Finally, 28 subjects in each group completed the study. Participants in the intervention group took daily 80 mg curcumin nanomicelle and those in the placebo group took daily placebo for 10 weeks. Semen analysis, anthropometric, physical activity assessments, total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, inflammatory factors, and reproductive hormones were measured at the baseline and at the end of the study. At the end of study, statistically significant differences were seen in the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility in the intervention group to the control group. In treatment group, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility levels were also statistically increased at the end of study compared to the baseline values. Curcumin nanomicelle supplementation also resulted in a statistically significant improvement in plasma levels of total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor a in comparison to the placebo. Medical therapy of asthenoteratospermia with curcumin nanomicelle supplement could improve quality of semen parameters. However, further investigation is suggested in this regard.

Eating disorders risk and its relation to self-esteem and body image in Iranian university students of medical sciences.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Eating disorders are rapidly increasing in young adults. But, a few studies have examined the risk of eating disorders and body image in university students of non-Western societies. The current study aimed to assess eating disorders risk in relation to body image and self-esteem among Iranian university students. METHOD: The participants were 430 students from Tabriz, between April and May 2015. The 26-item Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26), Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) and Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Questionnaires were used. EAT-26 score of 20 or more was considered as eating disorders risk cutoff. RESULTS: Majority of the students (68 %) were females. The overall eating disorders risk was 9.5 % (7.5 and 10.5 % in men and women, respectively). Further, the prevalence of poor body image and low self-esteem was 34.2 and 16 %, respectively. Neither of the gender differences was statistically significant (p > 0.05). In simple logistic regression, there were significant associations between self-esteem, body image, parental education and eating disorders risk (p < 0.025). But, after adjustments for gender, age, Body Mass Index (BMI) and marital status, only self-esteem (OR = 0.37, 95 % = 0.16-0.87) and mother's education level (OR = 2.78, 95 % = 1.30-5.93) were predictors of eating disorders risk. CONCLUSIONS: The findings revealed that low self-esteem and mother's higher education may increase eating disorders risk and the predictive role of body image possibly is by other mediators such as self-esteem. This warrants awareness improvement and developing appropriate interventions targeting self-esteem and self-respect of students.

Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial examining the effects of alpha-lipoic acid supplement on the spermatogram and seminal oxidative stress in infertile men.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of supplementation with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) on the spermatogram and seminal oxidative stress biomarkers. DESIGN: Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. SETTING: Infertility clinic. PATIENT(S): Infertile men. INTERVENTION(S): ALA (600 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Semen analysis, anthropometric, dietary, and physical activity assessments, total antioxidant capacity, and malondialdehyde. RESULT(S): At the end of study, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility in the intervention group were significantly higher than in the control group. In the ALA group, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and motility levels were also significantly increased at the end of study compared with baseline values. However, there were no significant differences in ejaculate volume, normal morphology percentage, and live sperm between groups. ALA supplementation also resulted in a significant improvement in seminal levels of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and malondialdehyde compared with the placebo. CONCLUSION(S): According to the results, medical therapy of asthenoteratospermia with ALA supplement could improve quality of semen parameters. However, further investigation is suggested in this regard. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: IRCT2013111010181N3.