International Journal of Medical Laboratory

7

Authors: Sepideh Jamehbozorg , Gilda Eslami , Ghasem Solgi , Hamzeh Rezaei , Mehrdad Hajilooi , Morteza Samadi

Background and Aims: In this study, the effect of rs310441 polymorphism in the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region on the development of susceptibility or resistance to Type 1 diabetes (T1D) among the people with T1D compared to healthy subjects has been investigated. Materials and Methods: This research, which is based on the examination of 130 cases with T1D and 98 controls, has been carried out in the city of Hamedan after clinical examination. In order to determine the HLA gene polymorphism, the allele-specific-refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-PCR) method was utilized. Results: This study indicated that there is a significant relationship between the frequency of alleles and genotypes in the patients compared to healthy subjects. The C/C and C/G genotypes were more frequent in patients than controls and G/G genotype was shown to be protective for T1D (p=0.01). Significant difference was found for the G allelic frequency in patients with T1D and in the control group. The allelic frequency was significantly different between the two groups (p=0.0001). Our findings indicate that HLA polymorphism(C/G) and (C/C) genotypes could be considered as genetic risk factors associated with susceptibility and (G/G) genotypes associated with protection for T1D. Conclusions: This study identified that there is a significant relationship between the frequency of alleles and genotypes in the patients compared to healthy subjects.

8

Authors: Mahtab Maghsoodlu , Pejman Salehifar , Parisa Rahimzadeh , Woria Babahajian , Saylan Mohammadi , Serveh Babahajian , Masoumeh Souri , Mohammad Saied Karimian , Shirin Ferdowsi

Background and Aims: Evaluation of the prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) in blood donors is a valuable index of donor selection and blood safety. This study was conducted to explore the prevalence and trends of TTIs markers and study of confidential unit exclusion )CUE) option among blood donors in Kurdistan province in the west of Iran. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional analysis on all volunteer donors from 2007 to 2014. Serologic tests were performed to detect TTIs markers. The seropositive results were confirmed using the confirmatory assays. Results: Of 197568 cases of the blood donated during 2007 and 2014, 0.29% was positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen, 0.006% for anti-human immunodeficiency virus and 0.06% for anti-hepatitis C virus. The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus remained stably below 0.02% during the study period whereas the prevalence of Hepatitis B surface antigen showed a downward trend over the period of 8 years. The trend of hepatitis C virus infection frequency had increasing patterns from 2007 to 2009 and decreasing patterns thereafter to 0.05%. CUE was chosen in 1442 (0.7%) donations. Out of this number, 864 (59.9%) were first time blood donors and 578 (40.08%) repeat donors. CUE-positive donations had significantly higher risk of TTIs markers (p< 0.000). Conclusions: The prevalence rate of viral infections has been reduced to low levels in blood donations over the 8 years. Moreover, CUE is considered an effective option for identifying donors with increased risk of TTIs markers.

10

Authors: Soheila Pourmasumi , Nasrin Ghasemi , Ali Reza Talebi , Mehrnaz Mehrabani , Parvin Sabeti

Background and Aims: Due to the paucity of studies, association between the morphology and function of sperm and recurrent miscarriage (RM) is not yet completely known. Increased reactive oxygen species and decreased antioxidant levels in men have been shown to be associated with RM. Recently it has been accepted that antioxidant therapy can approve sperm parameters. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of paternal factor and antioxidant therapy on sperm parameters in the couples with RM. Materials and Methods: Sixty ejaculate samples with RM patients were analyzed before and after 3 months of vitamin E and selenium therapy. Sperm chromatin assay was assessed by cytochemical tests including aniline blue, chromomycin A3, and toluidine blue. To measure DNA fragmentation index, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) test was used. Data were analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Patients had significantly higher percentage of sperm parameters (p<0.001) compared to the time before treatment. TUNEL positive spermatozoa were decreased in post treatment compared to pre-treatment phase (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that antioxidants can improve sperm parameters and chromatin condensation in recurrent miscarriage male partner.

16

Authors: Farin Malekifard , Nowruz Dalirezh , Ali Soleimanzadeh

Background and Aims: Diabetes mellitus causes testicular damage by increasing oxidative stress and inflammation. In the present study, modulation of oxidative stress by pioglitazone, a synthetic ligand of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ, was examined in testis of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Materials and Methods: Diabetes was induced by a single dose of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg, i.p.) injection in male Wistar rats. 32 adult male rats were divided into four groups (n=8): control, diabetic, diabetic pioglitazone (1 mg/kg/day) and diabetic pioglitazone (10 mg/kg/day). Rats were treated with pioglitazone for 5 weeks. Serum testosterone levels were estimated. Reproductive damage was evaluated by sperm parameters (viability, motility, morphology and count). Oxidative stress markers were evaluated in testicular homogenate. Pro-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β) levels, expressions of inflammatory (inducible nitric oxide synthase and nuclear factor-κ B) and apoptotic markers (caspase-3) in testicular tissue were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and western blot. Results: Pioglitazone treatment significantly increased sperm parameters (p<0.05). No significant decrease in serum level of testosterone was observed in the pioglitazone treated mice (p>0.05). Aside from reducing the elevated tissue nitric oxide and malondialdehyde levels, pioglitazone increased the reduced superoxide dismutase, catalas and total antioxidant capacity in testes compared to diabetic rats (p<0.05). Pioglitazone reduced testicular inflammation by decreasing the expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase, nuclear factor-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels and inhibited cell death by decreasing the expressions of caspase-3 (p<0.05). Conclusions: Pioglitazone attenuated testicular damage in diabetic rats by decreasing oxidative stress, testicular inflammation and testicular damage.