Protection by beta-Hydroxybutyric acid against insulin glycation,lipid peroxidation and microglial cell apoptosis

Background

Diabetes mellitus is characterized jointly by hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia that make insulin more prone to be glycated and evolve insulin advanced glycation end products (Insulin- AGE). Here, we report the effect of beta-hydroxy butyrate (BHB) (the predominant ketone body) on the formation of insulin-AGE, insulin glycation derived liposomal lipid peroxidation and insulin-AGE toxicity in microglial cells.

Methods

The inhibitory effect of BHB was monitored as a result of insulin incubation in the presence of glucose or fructose using AGE-dependent fluorescence, Tyr fluorescence as well as anilinonaphthalenesulfonate (ANS) andthioflavin T (ThT) binding, and circular dichroism (CD) investigations. To study lipid peroxidation induced by insulin glycation, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay and thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) monitoring were used. The effect of insulin–AGE on microglial viability was investigated by 3-(4, 5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)—2, 5-diphenyltetrazoliumbromide (MTT) cell assay and Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) staining.

Results

Here we are reporting the inhibitory effect of BHB on insulin glycation and generation of insulin-AGE as a possible explanation for insulin resistance. Moreover, the protective effect of BHB on consequential glycation derived liposomal lipid peroxidation as a causative event in microglial apoptosis is reported.

Conclusion

The reduced insulin fibril formation, structural inertia to glycation involved conformational changes, anti-lipid peroxidation effect, and increasing microglia viability indicated the protective effect of BHB that disclose insight on the possible preventive effect of BHB on Alzheimer’s disease.     

Prevalence of intimate partner violence and reproductive health outcomes among Afghan refugee women in Iran

Refugee women are at high risk of experiencing high level of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) and its negative impacts. We conducted a cross-sectional population-based household survey with refugees in a settlement in the city of Semnan, Iran, from 2016 to 2017. Afghan refugee women (n?=?188) with ages between 15 and 49?years were recruited for the survey. Overall, about 79.8% of the participants reported to have experienced a form of IPV in the past 12?months. IPV exposure is associated with a negative reproductive health outcome. The high prevalence of IPV found among refugee women in the present research and its strong links with poor reproductive health outcomes, underline the urgent need for the development and testing of appropriate interventions in refugee settlements.     

Efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on low sexual interest/arousal of peri- and post-menopausal women: a meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

The aim of our study was to investigate the therapeutic efficacy of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions on low sexual interest/arousal of peri- and post-menopausal women. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that published up to 22 June 2016 were retrieved from several online electronic databases, including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Ovid, Scopus, Medline, CINHAL, and EBSCO. Fifty-seven studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results showed that both pharmacological interventions (mean difference (MD) = –0.86, 95% confidence interval (CI) = –1.49 to –0.90, p = 0.0001) and non-pharmacological interventions (MD = –0.92, 95% CI = –1.35 to –0.49, p = 0.0001) had statistically significant effects on improving sexual interest/arousal. Among pharmacological interventions, hormone therapy with dehydroepiandrosterone, testosterone, tibolone and estrogen in combination with progesterone, estrogen in combination with testosterone as well as estrogen in combination with progesterone and testosterone were found to be effective. Non-hormonal medications including flibanserin and sildenafil as well as herbal medicines were also shown to be effective. However, due to high heterogeneity of the findings and scarcity of the studies in certain domains, there is uncertainty of their true effect. So, further well-designed RCTs with larger samples are required to ascertain the long-term effects of studies.     

Tc-99m diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA): Is it reliable for assessment of methotrexate-induced cumulative effect on renal filtration in rheumatoid arthritis patients?

Methotrexate[MTX] is commonly employed as the initial DMARD used for treatment of Rheumatoid arthritis[RA]. We aimed to contribute to the safety profile of MTX by assessing its cumulative effect on renal filtration. Fifty two RA adult females with normal base-line serum creatinine and GFR at the initial diagnosis of the disease were included. Group-1[G1] included 30 patients[mean age 40.4 ± 4.4 years] on MTX and NSAIDS, while 22 RA patients[mean age 38.5 ± 8.2 years] who received NSAIDs only served as the control group[G2]. Renal function was assessed by GFR-measurement using Technetium diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid[Tc-99 m-DTPA] at the point of the study time corresponding to disease duration. 21/30[70%] in G1 showed reduced GFR compared to 6/22[27.3%] in G2[P0.007] with 3.3 ± 0.5% annual reduction of GFR. Reduced GFR in G1 showed significant negative correlation with age[r = ?0.396, P = 0.005], MTX-cumulative dose[r = ?0.263, P = 0.049], MTX-intake duration[r = ?0.293, P = 0.031] and NSAID-intake duration[r = ?0.344, P = 0.014]. Low dose MTX has a slow cumulative effect on renal filtration manifested by GFR reduction over time that could be monitored by Tc-99 m DTPA.     

Episiotomy pain relief: Use of Lavender oil essence in primiparous Iranian women

Introduction

Post-episiotomy discomfort and its consequences can affect maternal quality of life and mental health as well as the mother and baby relationship. Complementary medicine is increasingly used and Lavender oil is frequently prescribed due to its antiseptic and healing properties.

Method

This clinical trial involved 60 qualified primiparous women admitted for labor in Kamali Hospital in Karaj, Iran. They were randomly categorized into two groups: case (using Lavender oil) and control (usual hospital protocol). Participants pain and discomfort were recorded using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and a Redness, Edema, Ecchymosis, Discharge Scale (REEDA). Pain was evaluated at 4 h, 12 h and 5 days following episiotomy. Collected data was analyzed in SPSS 14 using an independent t-test and chi-square.

Results

There was a statistical difference in pain intensity scores between the 2 groups after 4 h (p = 0.002, and 5 days (p = 0.000) after episiotomy. However, differences in pain intensity between the two groups, at 12 h post-surgery, were not significant (p = 0.066). The REEDA score was significantly lower in the experimental group (Lavender oil group) 5 days after episiotomy (p = 0.000).

Conclusion

According to these findings, use of Lavender oil essence can be effective in reducing perineal discomfort following episiotomy. It is suggested that Lavender oil essence may be preferably to the use of Betadine for episiotomy wound care.     

“Children are Sexually Innocent”: Iranian Parents’ Understanding of Children’s Sexuality

Sexuality education (SE) is hotly contested in the West and there is much abstinence-only education; however, it remains controversial in a variety of contexts, including in Iran. The lack of consensus about children’s SE in Muslim societies obliges us to explore different aspects of this topic systematically. The qualitative research presented here was about how Iranian parents perceived children’s sexuality. Data from parents of 26 children were collected during four focus group sessions. Informants were selected from Area 5 in West Tehran. This area included 72 primary schools for girls and 82 for boys. The sessions were facilitated by using a semi-structured focus group guide. Content analysis was adopted using combined free and analytical coding to reduce data, to extract meanings, and to categorize domains. One of the three main domains identified, family management of child sexuality, is comprised of the following: (1) understanding of child sexuality, (2) family rules, (3) parent–child interactions, and (4) opposite sex interactions. Parental misinformation, accumulated myths, and ignorance about children’s sexual development were evident. Strict family rules and a lack of consistent policy and instruction for SE were also identified. Parents said they were neither well-prepared nor competent to educate their children about sexuality. In fact, a majority of mothers raised “incompetence” as an important determinant in their own parent–child interactions. Societal changes as well as children’s socialization patterns have forced parents to accept their children’s opposite sex friendships as a reality. Results suggest a community need for developing comprehensive and culturally sensitive SE for schools and parental use.