Serum levels of androgens and prostate-specific antigen in endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the levels of serum androgens and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels in patients with endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with Stage III/IV (advanced stage) endometriosis were compared to controls with respect to basal serum levels of total testosterone (T), free testosterone (fT), androstenedion (A), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), and PSA in the early follicular phase of menstrual cycle for this prospective case control study. RESULTS: Level of T, fT, A, DHEA, and DHEA-S were higher in patients with endometriosis when compared to control subjects, but the difference was not statistically significant. The mean PSA level was 0.0074 +/- 0.0120 ng/ml in patients with endometriosis and 0.0059 +/- 0.0056 ng/ml in control group and there was no statistically significant difference between groups (p = 0.58). CONCLUSION: Serum basal androgens and PSA levels are higher in endometriosis group with respect to control but the differences are not statistically significant.

Effects of sulforophane and curcumin on oxidative stress created by acute malathion toxicity in rats.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Organophosphate insecticides (OPIs) are widely used in agriculture and horticulture for controlling insects in crops, ornamentals, lawns, fruits, and vegetables. But, there have not yet any study about effects of sulforophane (SFN) and curcumin (CUR) on the oxidative stress created by acute toxic effects of malathion (MAL) as an OPI often causing human and animal poisoning. AIM: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of SFN and CUR on the oxidative stress created in the lung, liver, and kidney tissues of rats by acute MAL toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six mature Sprague Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were used. The rats were randomly divided into six groups: unmedicated control, SFN, CUR, MAL control, MAL + SFN, and MAL + CUR. Tissue samples were analyzed for glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide (NO) levels in the lung, liver, and kidney tissues. Biochemical parameters were measured colorimetrically by using a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: No statistically significantly difference was found when comparing the unmedicated control, SFN, and CUR groups. MAL significantly increased MDA levels in the liver and kidney tissues, but SFN and CUR these levels. MAL did significantly reduce the GSH levels, but SFN and CUR increased these levels by blocking the MAL effect in the liver tissues. Also, MAL significantly increased the NO levels, depending on the severity of the tissue damage, and SFN and CUR attenuated to NO levels and remained under the effect of MAL. CONCLUSIONS: SFN and CUR, which showed similar effects, could be used to protect against the oxidative stress caused by acute malathion intoxication.