Background: Male factor has been considered as a 50% of infertility causes. One of the reasons for poor semen quality is oxidative stress. Saffron and vitamin E as antioxidant agent can be involved in free radical scavenging and improvement of semen quality. Materials and Methods: We divided 30 adult male Wistar rats into saffron (n = 10), vitamin E (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups randomly. Saffron (100 mg/kg/day), vitamin E (100 mg/kg/day), and distilled water (0.5 ml/day) were fed by gavage to the animals for 60 consecutive days in aforementioned groups. After cervical dislocation, both testes and left epididymis of each animal were removed and the cauda epididymal spermatozoa were aspirated for analysis of sperm parameters. Sperm membrane integrity was assessed by hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOST). In different groups, seminiferous tubule histological assessments were done after Hematoxylin -Eosin staining. Results: The mean percentage of HOST positive sperm was increased in vitamin E and saffron groups as compared to control group. As we can see there was a significant difference among control and experimental groups (P < 0.001); also a significant difference was obtained between vitamin E and saffron groups (P = 0.002). The evaluation of seminiferous tubules has shown no significant differences among groups. Conclusions: The present data suggest that saffron had superior antioxidant properties which can improve sperm parameters and membrane integrity so it can lead to develop fertility potential.

Background: Microsatellites or simple sequence repeats are repeating sequences of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Mutation in mismatch repair (MMR) genes can cause microsatellites instability (MSI) in some tumors. In familial disorder of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), there is a defect in the mechanism of MMR and clearly defective MMR cause unstable microsatellites. This study has been conducted for investigating the instability of microsatellites in alleles of BAT-26 of MSH2 gene in patients with HNPCC in Isfahan, which is an important prognostic biomarker for the prediction of the treatment outcome. Materials and Methods: DNA extraction from forty HNPCC patients peripheral blood samples were performed by using the DNA extraction kit. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) reaction to amplify BAT-26 was performed. The PCR products were studied by electrophoresis on agarose gel. Results: The size of specific band was 121 bp out of 40 HNPCC samples and based on the above method, it was shown that 12 cases (30%) demonstrated MSI. Chi-square test showed this difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The present study was conducted to evaluate the MSI in HNPCC patients. It was determined that the polymorphisms in BAT-26 of MSH2 gene could detect MSI with high sensitivity. Previous reports as well as our results have shown that the use of BAT-26 alone would be sufficient to identify HNPCC-associated MSH2 gene. Identifying MSI in these genes as a marker for prognosis, according to the present study and other researches is important to predict the treatment outcomes.

Background: End stage renal disease (ESRD) is a condition that inflammation and oxidative stress plays an important role in damaging to tissues, especially, in the vascular system. The effect of omega-3 fatty acids is well-documented in some inflammatory diseases via eicosapentanoic acid and docosahexanoic acid components of fish oil. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on levels of lipid peroxidation and oxidative sttress in ESRD patients. Materials and Methods: This randomized controlled double-blind clinical trial consisted of 90 patients on chronic ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD). One group was treated orally with 3000 mg omega-3, per day for 8 weeks (n = 45) and the other matched group by placebo (n = 45). Serum levels of lipids, iron, ferritin, Protrombin Time, Partial thromboplastin time, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GH) were measured at the beginning and at 8 weeks. Results: Our results showed that SOD and reduced GH were not significantly changed in omega-3 group where lipid profile showed no significant changes too. Erythropoietin requirements also had no significant differences. Conclusion: Incorporation of omega-3 fatty acids to CAPD patients had no beneficial effects on oxidative stress but should evaluate more.

Background: The main purpose of this study is to design, formulate and evaluate the green tea gums with a suitable taste and quality in order to produce an anti-oxidant chewing gum. Materials and Methods: Fresh green tea leaves obtained from Northern Iran for extraction. Maceration is the extraction method that is used in this study. The contents of caffeine, catechin and flavonoids of the hydro alcoholic extract were measured. Various formulations of the 120 mg green tea extract chewing gums with different sweeteners, flavoring agents and various gum bases were prepared afterward release pattern, content uniformity, organoleptic results and other properties were characterized. Results: The contents of caffeine, catechin and flavonoid of the hydro alcoholic extraction were 207.32 mg/g, 130.00 mg/g and 200.82 mg/g, respectively. Release pattern of green tea chewing gum with different gum base ratios and various sweeteners in phosphate buffer were prepared. A total of 60 persons who were 20-30 years of age, participated in our panel test for organoleptic properties such as taste, stiffness, stickiness, etc., Acceptable gum was the one with the same ratio of the used rubber bases. Cinnamon selected as the preferred taste by volunteers. Combination of aspartame, sugar and maltitol has appropriate taste. The effect of various sweetener on release pattern was negligible, on the other hand rubber bases ratio variation, changed the release pattern obviously. Conclusion: The green tea chewing gum with sugar, maltitol and aspartame sweeteners and cinnamon flavor, using the same rubber bases ratio may be a desirable antioxidant product.

Background: The association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and breast carcinoma in Iranian women is uncertain. We examined EBV latent membrane protein-1 (LMP-1) antigen expression in breast carcinoma and its relationship with clinicopathologic parameters among a population of Iranian patients. Materials and Methods: This study was performed on formalin fixed and paraffin embedded tissue specimens with a diagnosis of invasive breast carcinoma archived at one university hospital in Isfahan city, Iran. We used immunohistochemistry to detect LMP-1 of EBV in carcinoma and its adjacent normal tissue. The frequency of LMP-1 expression in breast carcinoma and its relationship with age, tumor size, tumor type, tumor grade and lymph node status were then determined. Results: A total of 80 cases were evaluated including 77 (96.3%) ductal, 1 (1.3%) lobular, 1 (1.3%) medullary and 1 (1.3%) mucinous carcinoma. LMP-1 expression was seen in 6 cases (7.5%) of breast carcinoma whereas normal breast tissue adjacent to carcinoma was negative for LMP-1 in all of the cases. A statistically significant association was seen between EBV and invasive breast carcinoma (P = 0.03). No significant relationship was observed between LMP-1 expression on one hand and age, tumor size, tumor type, tumor grade and lymph node status on the other. Conclusion: EBV may play an etiological role in some of the cases of breast carcinoma in Iranian women. EBV expression does not seem to have a significant impact on the major clinicopathologic prognostic determinants of breast carcinoma.

Background: Evidence has shown beneficial effects of probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS); however, there is still a lack of data in this regard. We evaluated the efficacy of a multi-strain probiotic compound on IBS symptoms and quality-of-life (QOL). Materials and Methods: Adult IBS patients (n0=132) were randomized to receive a probiotic compound containing seven bacteria species including Lactobacillus strains, Bifidobacterium strains and Streptococcus thermophiles or similar placebo, twice daily after a meal for 14 consecutive days. Improvement of IBS symptoms was assessed in categories of abdominal pain and distension and improvement of bowel habit. Improvement in patients QOL was assessed by the IBS-QOL instrument. Patients were evaluated for symptoms and QOL at baseline and then 1 month after completion of the treatment. Results: After treatment, there was a decrease in abdominal pain and distension severity in both probiotic and the placebo groups ( P<0.001), but there was no difference between the two groups in this regard ( P>0.05). Improvement in bowel habit was observed in 33.3% of the probiotic and 36.5% of the placebo group (P =0.910). There was no significant difference between the two groups in QOL after the treatment (P >0.05). Conclusions: We found no beneficial effects over placebo for a 2-week treatment with the above mentioned multi-strain probiotic compound in the treatment of IBS. Further, trials are yet required before a clear conclusion in this regards.

Background : Myeloperoxidase (MPO) has an important role in the both processes of inflammation and oxidative stress. It plays proatherogenic role via low-density lipoprotein oxidation, functional inactivation of the high-density lipoprotein and endothelial dysfunction, and seems to be involved in the atherogenesis of coronary arteries. This study designed to evaluate the association between the plasma MPO levels and angiographic severity of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients with the stable CAD. Materials and Methods: Sixty-eight patients who had documented CAD with angiography and 66 subjects who had normal angiography were selected as case and the control groups for this study, respectively. Gensini scoring system was used for evaluation of severity of coronary artery stenosis. Plasma MPO and C-reactiveprotein (CRP) levels of both case and control groups were determined. Results: Plasma MPO levels and CRP levels were significantly higher in CAD patients (P < 0.001), and plasma levels of MPO and CRP were correlated with Genssini scores. Conclusions: Our findings indicated that the plasma MPO levels increase in patients with stable CAD and hence that, it can be used as adiagnostic factor to predict the coronary artery atherosclerosis severity in stable CAD patients; However, it needs further widespread investigations to achieve an accurate cut point.

Background: Chronic bronchiolitis is the most important problems of chemical victims of mustard gas. Diverse studies suggest that substance P (SP) as a member of tachykinin neuropeptides, has a significant role in the neurogenic inflammation processes of the airways and lungs. We aimed to determine the serum level of SP in chemical victims of mustard gas and compare it with normal subjects. Materials and Methods: The chemical victims were divided into the 2 groups of 30:A group with mild to moderate pulmonary symptoms and other group with moderate to severe symptoms and compared with 3 ^rd group as healthy controls. After preparing our samples and using the SP kit, final analysis was performed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reader. Results: The Concentration of circulatory SP levels in the chemical patients was 2.86 ± 1.47 ng/ml and had not a significant difference with the control group (3.15 ± 1.03 ng/ml) (P > 0.05). The circulatory SP levels were 2.48 ± 0.92 ng/ml and 3.28 ± 1.73 ng/ml in patients with moderate to severe symptoms and mild to moderates (P < 0.05) respectively. Conclusion: The SP may have a role in pulmonary complications of mustard gas. The lower level of SP in the moderate to severe patients may be due to corticosteroid consumption in such severe cases. However, further studies are needed to clarify the roles and mechanism of SP in this setting.