Butyrylcholinesterase activity in women with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy: correlation with antioxidant activity.

A total of: 25 women with gestational diabetes, 25 with type 2 diabetes, 21 with healthy pregnancies and 15 non-pregnant healthy controls were investigated to evaluate the relationship between butyrylcholinesterase activity and antioxidant status in the serum and placenta of diabetic pregnant women. Levels of antioxidant activities were estimated by Randox Kits and malondialdehyde and butyrylcholinesterase by colorimetric methods. Butyrylcholinesterase activity was elevated in the serum and placenta in normal pregnancy vs diabetic cohorts (p < 0.

Factors contributing to gender differences in serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol in infertile couples.

Oxidative stress is detrimental to fertility potential. Retinol and alpha-tocopherol are natural antioxidants that inhibit lipid peroxidation and protect against cell damage induced by oxidative stress. This study evaluated whether gender-related differences in antioxidant status exist among couples with infertility and, if so, to evaluate relevant factors that may contribute to such differences.

Antioxidant therapy is associated with a reduction in the serum levels of mediators of renal injury following lithotripsy for renal calculi.

Objective: To investigate the effects of antioxidant therapy on the levels of mediators of shock wave induced renal injury in patients with renal calculi treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Patients And Methods: One hundred and twenty patients with renal calculi were divided into three treatment groups: Group A patients (n = 39) served as a control group; Group B patients (n = 41) were given 2 capsules of Nature Made((R)) antioxidants 2 hours before, and 2 and 8 hours after ESWL and Group C patients (n = 40) were given 2 capsules of the antioxidants at 2 and 8 hours after ESWL. Blood and urine samples were obtained from all patients just before the start of treatment with ESWL, and at 2 and 24 hours and on day 7 and 28 after ESWL.

Prostate cancer risk: the significance of differences in age related changes in serum conjugated and unconjugated steroid hormone concentrations between Arab and Caucasian men.

Introduction: Factors responsible for the low incidence of clinical prostate cancer (3-8/100,000 men/year) in the Arab population remain unclear, but may be related to changes in steroid hormone metabolism. We compared the levels of serum conjugated and unconjugated steroids between Arab and Caucasian populations, to determine if these can provide a rational explanation for differences in incidence of prostate cancer between the two populations.

Patients/method: Venous blood samples were obtained from 329 unselected apparently healthy indigenous Arab men (Kuwaitis and Omanis) aged 15-80 years.

Maternal-fetal transport and disposition of copper, iron, molybdenum, selenium and zinc in experimentally induced diabetic rats.

Objective: To assess maternal-fetal status of essential trace elements such as copper, iron, molybdenum, selenium and zinc, in experimentally induced diabetic and control pregnant rats, and to correlate the findings with those observed in human diabetic pregnancies. Fetal-maternal ratios of the elements and Cu:Zn and Cu:Fe ratios were also computed in control and study groups.

Methods: Diabetes was experimentally induced in pregnant Sprague Dawley rats by injection of streptozotocin.

Allopurinol provides long-term protection for experimentally induced testicular torsion in a rabbit model.

Objective: To assess the effect of five antioxidants on exocrine function of rabbit testes retained in situ for 24 h and 3 months after experimental torsion.

Materials And Methods: The left testes of peripubertal rabbits were clamped for 60 min, after which the clamps were removed and the testes allowed to reperfuse. The right testes served as internal controls.

Evidence for the presence of beta-3-adrenoceptors mediating relaxation in the human oviduct.

Beta1- and beta2-adrenoceptors mediate relaxation in the oviductal smooth muscle. This study examines the existence and function of beta3-adrenoceptors in the human oviduct. Ring segments of the oviduct were set up for isometric tension recording.

Nitric oxide production is not altered in preeclampsia.

Background: Preeclampsia remains a disease of theories as the real aetiology has remained elusive. Altered nitric oxide production has been associated with preeclampsia although conflicting results showing elevation, decrease or no change in nitric oxide levels have emerged from previous studies.

Objective: The aim of the study was to measure the serum levels of nitrate and nitrite in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia.

Nitric oxide metabolites in preterm and induced labor.

Background: Nitric oxide has potent relaxant effects on the pregnant uterus and has been associated with a quiescent uterus in animal and human studies. Nitric oxide donors have been used to arrest preterm labor and a reduction in nitric oxide production has been reported before the onset of labor.

Objective: The aim of the study was to estimate the serum levels of nitrate and nitrite in women undergoing spontaneous preterm labor and induced labor.

Significance of simultaneous determination of serum and seminal plasma alpha-tocopherol and retinol in infertile men by high-performance liquid chromatography.

High-performance liquid chromatography was used for the simultaneous determination of alpha-tocopherol and retinol in serum and semen of 40 subfertile men. The serum levels of the two vitamins were significantly higher in serum than in semen (3- to 10-fold) (P < 0.001).

Effect of saline and glucose infusions of oxytocin on neonatal bilirubin levels.

Objective: To ascertain the effect of isotonic saline and glucose infusions of oxytocin on neonatal bilirubin levels.

Method: Eighty-two parturient Nigerian women requiring oxytocin infusion in labor were randomized into two groups receiving 0.9% saline or 5% glucose, respectively.

A pilot study on the assessment of a progesterone/estradiol sustained release as once-a-month-injectable contraceptive.

A pilot study to assess the use of natural hormones in macrocrystalline sustained release system was undertaken in normal menstruating women. Progesterone at a dose of 100 mg in combination with 5 mg estradiol-17 beta aqueous macrocrystalline suspension (3ml) of defined particle size range (100-250 microns) were administered to five female volunteers of reproductive age, on day 5 of their normal menstrual cycles and then every 28 days consecutively for the next two months. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained from the women three times a week for 60 days after the third injection for the measurement of serum progesterone, estradiol-17 beta, LH and FSH.

Clinical, hormonal and biochemical features of menopausal women in Ibadan, Nigeria.

As a result of the general lack of information about the menopause in Nigeria this study was conducted to determine the prevalence of climacteric symptoms in a cohort of healthy perimenopausal women and also to evaluate the hormonal and biochemical profile of the subjects. Seventeen menopausal and 19 premenopausal women aged 40 years or more were interviewed and had venepuncture and collection of 24-h urine samples. Plasma from the blood samples was used for the assay of LH, FSH, progesterone, 17 beta-oestradiol, calcium and cholesterol while urinary calcium was determined from the 24-h urine samples.

Sequential hormone measurements after menstrual regulation in normal Nigerian women.

The objective of this study was to examine the dynamics of the pituitary hormones (LH, FSH and Prolactin) and Progesterone in normal adult Nigerian women during the first cycle after a menstrual regulation for delayed periods. Hence, eleven healthy volunteers aged between 19 and 35 years were recruited. All the subjects had consulted the Family Planning Clinic for menstrual regulation.