Comparing the effects of Calendula officinalis and clotrimazole on vaginal Candidiasis: A randomized controlled trial

This triple-blind trial examined the effects of Calendula officinalis vaginal cream on the treatment of vaginal Candidiasis (primary outcome) and sexual function (secondary outcome). Married women aged 18–45 years with vaginal Candidiasis (n = 150) were recruited from April to October 2014 and randomized into Calendula and clotrimazole groups, using 5-g vaginal cream every night for seven nights. Clinical and laboratory assessments were conducted at 10–15 and 30–35 days after intervention and the female sexual function index was assessed at 30–35 days. Six women were lost to follow-up. The frequency of testing negative for Candidiasis in the Calendula group was significantly lower at the first (49% vs. 74%; odds ratio (OR) 0.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16–0.67) but higher at the second (77% vs. 34%; OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5–6.2) follow-up compared to the clotrimazole group. The frequency of most signs and symptoms were almost equal in the two groups at the first follow-up, but were significantly lower in the Calendula group at the second follow-up. Sexual function had almost equal significant improvement in both groups. Calendula vaginal cream appears to have been effective in the treatment of vaginal Candidiasis and to have a delayed but greater long-term effect compared to clotrimazole.     

Tubulin binding blocks mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel and regulates respiration

Regulation of mitochondrial outer membrane (MOM) permeability has dual importance: in normal metabolite and energy exchange between mitochondria and cytoplasm and thus in control of respiration, and in apoptosis by release of apoptogenic factors into the cytosol. However, the mechanism of this regulation, dependent on the voltage-dependent anion channel (VDAC), the major channel of MOM, remains controversial. A long-standing puzzle is that in permeabilized cells, adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT) is less accessible to cytosolic ADP than in isolated mitochondria. We solve this puzzle by finding a missing player in the regulation of MOM permeability: the cytoskeletal protein tubulin. We show that nanomolar concentrations of dimeric tubulin induce voltage-sensitive reversible closure of VDAC reconstituted into planar phospholipid membranes. Tubulin strikingly increases VDAC voltage sensitivity and at physiological salt conditions could induce VDAC closure at <10 mV transmembrane potentials. Experiments with isolated mitochondria confirm these findings. Tubulin added to isolated mitochondria decreases ADP availability to ANT, partially restoring the low MOM permeability (high apparent K_m for ADP) found in permeabilized cells. Our findings suggest a previously unknown mechanism of regulation of mitochondrial energetics, governed by VDAC and tubulin at the mitochondria–cytosol interface. This tubulin–VDAC interaction requires tubulin anionic C-terminal tail (CTT) peptides. The significance of this interaction may be reflected in the evolutionary conservation of length and anionic charge in CTT throughout eukaryotes, despite wide changes in the exact sequence. Additionally, tubulins that have lost significant length or anionic character are only found in cells that do not have mitochondria.     

The association between dietary antioxidants and adipokines level among obese women

AimAdipokines are associated with several oxidative stress-related diseases and pathologic conditions. We aimed to assess the association between antioxidants and adipokines in obese adults.Methods and MaterialsIn this cross-sectional study, a total of 160 obese women were included. Body composition and anthropometric characteristics were measured. Dietary intakes were assessed by 3-day, 24-h dietary recall. Blood samples were obtained following an overnight fasting. Serum concentrations of adipokines including progranulin, retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) and Angiopoietin-related growth factor 6 (ANGPTL6) was measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ANCOVA and the linear regression model analysis was performed to assess the relationship between Progranulin, RBP4, AnGPTL6, and antioxidants.ResultsMean age of included women was 39.31 ± 12.10. Mean and standard deviation for BMI was 35.05 ± 4.26 in this obese population. There was a positive significant association between ANGPTL6 and vitamin D intake (p < 0.001). Also, there was a marginal association between RBP4 and vitamin A (p = 0.063) intake, but after adjustment age, and fat mass, we found a significant association (p = 0.008). However, the associations between dietary antioxidants, progranulin, and ANGPTL6 were not statistically significant.ConclusionsANGPTL6 and RBP4 levels directly associated with dietary vitamins D and A intake, respectively. But, according to the results, the association between ANGPTL6 and vitamin D was bidirectional. The suggested associations probably can be useful in the development of interventional studies for management of chronic diseases.     

Comparison between Negative T waves characteristics in acute coronary syndrome and pulmonary embolism

Background

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the first available modality used in patients with chest pain and dyspnea in emergency rooms.We aimed to study differences between acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and acute pulmonary embolism (APE) in patients presented primarily with abnormal negative T waves on their admission Electrocardiogram.

Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Oxidative Stress Indices in Women with Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease that causes great pain and disability and increasing oxidative stress in patients. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of probiotics—live microorganisms with many health benefits, including antioxidant properties—on oxidative stress indices of patients with RA. This study is a secondary analysis from a previously published study

Methods: In a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial, 46 patients with RA were assigned to one of two groups; patients in the probiotic group received a daily capsule containing 10⁸ colony forming units (CFUs) of Lactobacillus casei 01 (L. casei 01), while those in the placebo group took identical capsules containing maltodextrin, for 8 weeks. In the baseline and at the end of the study, anxiety, physical activity levels, and dietary intakes were assessed. Anthropometric parameters, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) activities were measured.

Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups for demographic characteristics, anthropometric parameters, physical activity, anxiety levels, or dietary intakes, throughout the course of the study. No significant within- and between-group differences were observed for MDA, TAC, or CAT. SOD activity decreased only in the probiotic group and GPx activity decreased in both study groups (p < 0.05); however, no significant between-group difference was found for these enzymes activities at the end of the study (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: No significant effect of L. casei 01 supplementation was observed on the oxidative status of patients with RA, compared to placebo.