International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine (IJRM)

Effect of dietary approaches to stop hypertension and curcumin co-administration on glycemic parameters in polycystic ovary syndrome: An RCT

Tayebeh Zohrabi — 2024-11-10

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine disorder that can lead to major reproductive and metabolic complications. Management of glycemic parameters is an important step to improve the symptoms of PCOS.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of the dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet and curcumin (Cur) co-administration on glycemic parameters in normal weight and overweight/obese women with PCOS undergoing in vitro fertilization.

Materials and Methods: In this double-blind randomized clinical study, 104 infertile women with PCOS were divided into 4 intervention groups considering treatment conditions and body mass index. They received 500 mg twice daily of Cur or placebo (Pls) along with DASH or a standard diet (St) based on macronutrient composition (52% carbohydrate, 18% protein, and 30% fat) for 12 wk, (DASH + Cur, DASH + Pls, St + Cur, St + Pls). The effect of these interventions on fasting blood sugar and insulin levels, insulin resistance (IR), and insulin sensitivity were determined.

Results: Participants adhered to the intervention protocol (> 80%). Insulin levels in the supplement intervention (Cur + diet) decreased significantly in the crude model. They remained significant even after adjusting for confounding variables in adjusted models (body mass index classification, energy difference, age, and physical activity levels at the baseline) (ß = -45.3, 95% CI [-73.23, -17.46], p = 0.002). Homeostasis model assessment of IR decreased significantly in the supplement intervention even after controlling for confounding factors in adjusted models. Changes in fasting blood sugar and insulin sensitivity were not significant in either the crude or adjusted models.

Conclusion: The study results show that adding Cur to the diet can positively reduce insulin levels, improve IR, and lead to faster recovery of hyperinsulinemia. Cur supplementation with a healthy diet has synergistic beneficial effects on glycemic parameters. Larger clinical trials with longer durations are needed to confirm these results.

Key words: Polycystic ovary syndrome, Dietary approaches to stop hypertension, Curcumin, Insulin resistance, Glycemic control.

Expression of steroidogenesis pathway genes in cumulus cells from women with diminished ovarian reserve after gonadotropin administration: A case-control study

Zahra Ahmadnia — 2024-11-10

Background: Women with diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) respond differently to gonadotropin medications.

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between effective gene expression in the steroidogenesis pathway and gonadotropin responsiveness in DOR.

Materials and Methods: In this case-control study, cumulus cells were obtained from women with DOR after gonadotropin administration (n = 20) and normal ovarian reserve (n = 20). They were divided into the following groups, oocyte number < 3 and oocyte number > 3. After RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis, quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess the expression levels of cytochrome P450 aromatase (CYP19A1), protein kinase A (PKA), and glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3B) genes.

Results: The women with DOR had statistically significant lower expression of CYP19A1 and PKA genes in their cumulus cells compared to control group (p = 0.04, and p < 0.001, respectively). There was also lower expression of the GSK3B gene in DOR compared to control group, but it was not significant. Although the expression of the CYP19A1, PKA, and GSK3B genes was lower in women with < 3 oocytes compared to women with more oocytes, this difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: In conclusion, DOR may be associated with lower expression of CYP19A1 and PKA genes. Also, considering the decrease in the expression of these genes in people with DOR, the expression of these genes can be used as a tool to predict the treatment.

Key words: Ovarian, Reserve, Steroidogenesis, CYP19A1, PKA, GSK3B, Gonadotropin.

Magnetic graphene oxide increases the biocompatibility and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 antioxidant of human cumulus cells: A lab-trial study

Fahimeh Kabiri — 2024-11-10

Background: Although assisted reproductive technology has been improved, the success rate is only 30%. Since the interaction between oocytes and cumulus cells (CCs) is necessary for the formation of a fertile oocyte, increasing the survival rate of CCs can improve the function of oocytes in infertile women.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) nanocomposite on the biocompatibility and antioxidant activity of human CCs.

Materials and Methods: In this lab-trial study, from July 2021–2023 human CCs were collected from 37 women aged 20–37 yr and cultured in a medium containing Dulbecco’s Modified Eagle’s/F12, fetal bovine serum (10%), and penicillin-streptomycin (1%). Then CCs were treated with increasing concentrations of nano-MGO for 24, 48, and 72 hr (3[4, 5-dimethylthiazole-2-yl]-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay and flow cytometry technique were used to compare the survival rate and apoptosis of CCs before and after treatment. Western blot test was used for expressing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) antioxidant in 2 groups.

Results: The results of the present study showed that treatment with MGO increased the viability of CCs at a concentration of 50 μg/ml after 48 hr (p > 0.01). At higher doses (100 μg/ml) MGO decreased the survival rate of CCs (p > 0.05). Also, treatment with MGO at a concentration of 50 μg/ml increased the expression level of antioxidant protein Nrf2 in human CCs.

Conclusion: Our results highlight the use of MGO in a new strategy that improves CCs viability and secretion of antioxidant protein Nrf2, thereby potentially increasing in vitro fertilization outcomes.

Key words: Magnetic graphene oxide, Cumulus cells, Fertility, Nrf-2, Western blot.

Effect of online problem-solving counseling on the sexual anxiety and intimacy of women with recurrent pregnancy loss: A clinical trial

Shahla Mohammadkhani — 2024-11-10

Background: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) creates complex reproductive conditions among women. Problem-solving therapy is one of the sexual health approaches.

Objective: This study was designed to investigate the effect of online problem-solving counseling on the sexual anxiety and intimacy of women with RPL.

Materials and Methods: A randomized clinical trial was conducted at Abortion Research Center in Yazd, Iran from March-August 2023. A total of 70 women with RPL were assigned into 2 groups, that is, intervention and control using random allocation software (n = 35/each). The intervention group received 8 sessions of sexual counseling on problem solving. The control group received an educational pamphlet. The primary outcome was sexual anxiety, and the secondary outcome was sexual intimacy. The data were collected using questionnaires based on sexual anxiety and intimacy. The questionnaires were completed before, after, and 1 month after the study.

Results: A total of 70 participants were included in the final analysis. The mean score of sexual anxiety in the 8th and 12th wk was significantly less in the online group than in control group (p < 0.001). The mean score of sexual intimacy in the 8th and 12th wk was significantly higher in the online group than in control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Problem-solving-based sexual health counseling programs may improve sexual anxiety and intimacy in women with RPL. It is recommended to use a sexual health counseling method in RPL centers when considering the effectiveness of this type of training.

Key words: Habitual miscarriage, Counseling, Problem-solving, Sexuality, Anxiety.

Diagnosis of hydatidiform moles using p57 immunohistochemistry and chromogenic insitu hybridization: A retrospective study

Mojgan Akbarzadeh-Jahromi — 2024-11-10

Background: Chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) and immunohistochemistry analysis for p57 are ancillary studies discriminating partial hydatidiform mole (PHM), complete hydatidiform mole (CHM), and non-molar hydropic abortion (HA).

Objective: It aimed to study CISH with a probe to chromosome 17 (CISH17) and chromosome 2 (CISH2) discriminating chromosomal ploidy of PHM, CHM, and HA; in addition, their surrogacy value in the evaluation of triploid and diploid in product of conception specimens (POCs) was evaluated.

Materials and Methods: 44 statistically significant POCs were selected retrospectively. The Kappa agreement coefficients, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were reported.

Results: PHM, CHM, and HA were diagnosed to be 23, 17, and 3 cases based on both CISH2 and CISH17 resulting in their complete discrimination between PHM and HA (23 vs. 3). The Kappa agreement coefficient was 95.4% (p < 0.001) when diagnosing the PHM (23), CHM (20), and HA (1). In addition, the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were 95.26% (95% CI: 84.25–99.38), 100% (95% CI: 85.18–100), and 95% (95% CI: 76.18–99.88), respectively. The power analysis on CISH2 and CISH17 tests discriminating between triploid and diploid in POCs was estimated to be 100%.

Conclusion: Based on the current finding, CISH2 and CISH17 enjoyed perfect agreement in diagnosing chromosomal ploidy; in addition, their absolute power discriminating between triploid and diploid revealed that they could be used as surrogate markers for ploidy. Prospective studies on fresh specimens are suggested comparing the CISH method’s accuracy with flow cytometry karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Key words: Hydatidiform mole, CISH protein, Human, Pathology, Clinical.

Relationship between emotional intelligence, quality of life, and infertility stigma in infertile woman: A descriptive-correlational study

Mobina Anari — 2024-11-10

Background: Infertility is one of the major crises in couples’ lives, affecting both mental and physical health. One of the most significant consequences of infertility is stigma; moreover, emotional intelligence and women’s coping style with these consequences can affect the quality of this disorder.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate emotional intelligence, infertility stigma, quality of life, and the relationship between these variables in infertile women.

Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was conducted from April 2023 to February 2024 on 349 infertile women referred to “Hazrat-Maryam-Infertility-Center-in-Shahid-Beheshti-hospital” and “Isfahan-Fertility-and-Infertility-Center” in Isfahan, Iran. Sampling was done using a convenience sampling method, and tools included 4 questionnaires, a demographic and midwifery information form, the quality of life questionnaire, the women’s-infertility-stigma-questionnaire, and the Schutte-Emotional-Intelligence scale.

Results: The results showed that the women’s mean age was 35.08 ± 7.60 yr. The mean score for emotional intelligence was 109.06 ± 6.12, and the infertility stigma’s was 56.1 ± 14.73. The results indicated a positive correlation between emotional intelligence and infertility stigma (r = 0.13, p < 0.001). Only the mean score of social well-being and general health dimensions had a significant relationship with the total score of emotional intelligence (r = 0.037, p < 0.02).

Conclusion: Infertile women have a lower quality of life and experience higher stigma. Since the quality of life and overall mental health affect the treatment process, also emotional intelligence plays an important role in human life, educational sessions and counseling should be considered in the treatment programs to improve the quality of life, thereby facilitating the treatment process with greater ease and speed.

Key words: Infertility, Quality of life, Emotional intelligence.

Carotid artery intima-media thickness in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A cross-sectional study

Nazanin Farshchian — 2024-11-10

Background: Obesity in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is an acceptable marker in assessing the risk of heart disease.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the CIMT in PCOS women compared to non-PCOS women.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 48 women who referred to Imam Reza hospital, Kermanshah, Iran from July 2020–2021. Women were divided into 2 groups of PCOS and non-PCOS women (n = 24/each). The intima-media thickness of participants’ carotid artery was measured on both sides in 3 areas, and its mean was recorded.

Results: The mean thickness of the carotid artery intima-media in the case group was within the normal range; but it was significantly higher than the control group (0.71 ± 0.17 vs. 0.57 ± 0.09 mm, p = 0.019).

Conclusion: Considering the higher thickness of CIMT in women with PCOS, it can be concluded that PCOS increases the risk of heart diseases in women.

Key words: Polycystic ovary disease, Atherosclerosis, Intima media thickness, Carotid artery, Cardiovascular disease.

Corrigendum to “The report of ovarian tissue transplant in Iran: A case report” [Int J Reprod BioMed 2024; 22: 323–328]

Fatemeh Anbari — 2024-11-10

The publisher has been informed of an error that occurred on page 323 in which the third authors affiliation must be changed to Molecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran. On behalf of the author, the publisher wishes to apologize for this error. The online version of the article has been updated on September 30, 2024 and can be found at https://doi.org/10.18502/ijrm.v22i4.16393.