No abstract available.
Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Psoriasis*

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of different electromagnetic fields on some haematochemical parameters of circadian rhythms in Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSThe study was carried out in 18 male and 18 female rats in good health conditions exposed to 50 Hz magnetic sinusoid fields at the intensity of 1000 microT, 100 microT, and 0 microT (control group) respectively, and in 18 male and 18 female rats in good health conditions exposed to 1.8 GHz electromagnetic fields at the intensity of 50 V/m, 25 V/m and 0 V/m (control group), respectively. Following haematochemical parameters for glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol were measured.

RESULTSDifferent effects of electromagnetic fields on circadian rhythms of both male and female rats were observed. Different changes occurred in some haematochemical parameters for glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONExposure to different electromagnetic fields is responsible for the variations of some haematochemical parameters in rats.

Animals ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Circadian Rhythm ; physiology ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Female ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Triglycerides ; blood

AIMTo study the immune-modulating and anti-oxidant effects of beta-glucan, papaya, lactoferrin, and vitamins C and E on sperm characteristics of patients with asthenoteratozoospermia associated with leucocytosis.

METHODSFifty-one patients referred to our Sterility Center for semen analysis were selected. Sperm parameters were assessed before and after patient's treatment with beta-glucan, lactoferrin, papaya, and vitamins C and E. DNA damage was assessed by the acridine orange test and sperm structural characteristics were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy.

RESULTSAfter 90 days of treatment, an increase in the percentage of morphologically normal sperm (17.0 +/- 5.2 vs. 29.8 +/- 6.5) and total progressive motility (19.0 +/- 7.8 vs. 34.8 +/- 6.8) were detected. Structural sperm characteristics as well as chromatin integrity were also improved after treatment. In terms of leukocyte concentration in seminal fluid, a significant reduction was recorded (2.2 +/- 0.9 vs. 0.9 +/- 0.2).

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of an inflammatory process by the synergic action of immune modulators and anti-oxidants could protect sperm during maturation and migration, leading to improved sperm function.

Adult ; Antioxidants ; therapeutic use ; Ascorbic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Asthenozoospermia ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Carica ; Humans ; Lactoferrin ; therapeutic use ; Leukocytosis ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Plant Preparations ; Spermatozoa ; cytology ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin E ; therapeutic use ; beta-Glucans ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of extremely low frequency magnetic and electric fields (ELFEMFs) emitted from 380 kV transmission lines on some leukocyte differentiation antigens in dairy cows.

METHODSThe study was carried out in 5 cows exposed to 1.98-3.28 microT of ELFEMFs and in 5 control cows exposed to 0.2-0.7 microT of ELFEMFs. Following haematological and immunologic parameters were measured in both groups: WBC, CD45R, CD6, CD4, CD8, CD21, and CD11B leukocyte antigen expression.

RESULTSSome of the haematological and immunologic parameters under investigation were similar in both groups. However, CD8 (T lymphocyte surface antigen) was higher in the exposed group (1.35 +/- 0.120 vs. 0.50 +/- 0.14 x 10(3)/mL). Furthermore, the CD4/CD8 ratio (0.84 +/- 0.05 and 2.19 +/- 0.16 for exposed and not exposed cows respectively) and circadian rhythm were different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONExposure to ELFEMFs is responsible of the abnormal temporal variations and distribution of some haematological and immunological parameters in dairy cows.

Animals ; Antigens, CD ; blood ; Cattle ; Circadian Rhythm ; radiation effects ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Environmental Exposure ; analysis ; Female ; Leukocytes ; immunology