Mucuna pruriensReduces Stress and Improves the Quality of Semen in Infertile Men

The present investigation was undertaken to assess the role ofMucuna pruriensin infertile men who were under psychological stress. Study included 60 subjects who were undergoing infertility screening and were found to be suffering from psychological stress, assessed on the basis of a questionnaire and elevated serum cortisol levels. Age-matched 60 healthy men having normal semen parameters and who had previously initiated at least one pregnancy were included as controls. Infertile subjects were administered withM. pruriensseed powder (5 g day−1) orally. For carrying out morphological and biochemical analysis, semen samples were collected twice, first before starting treatment and second after 3 months of treatment. The results demonstrated decreased sperm count and motility in subjects who were under psychological stress. Moreover, serum cortisol and seminal plasma lipid peroxide levels were also found elevated along with decreased seminal plasma glutathione (GSH) and ascorbic acid contents and reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activity. Treatment withM. prurienssignificantly ameliorated psychological stress and seminal plasma lipid peroxide levels along with improved sperm count and motility. Treatment also restored the levels of SOD, catalase, GSH and ascorbic acid in seminal plasma of infertile men. On the basis of results of the present study, it may be concluded thatM. pruriensnot only reactivates the anti-oxidant defense system of infertile men but it also helps in the management of stress and improves semen quality.

Smoking habits and plasma lipid peroxide and vitamin E levels in never-treated first-episode patients with schizophrenia

BackgroundLipid peroxidation may be increased in schizophrenia, due to the illness, lifestyle or medication.AimsTo determine plasma lipid peroxide levels and serum vitamin E and A levels in first-episode never-treated people with schizophrenia and in controls.MethodThirty in-patients with a first episode of schizophrenia or schizophreniform psychosis were recruited, as were controls matched for gender, age, smoking and dietary status. Blood samples were taken, smoking status was recorded and body mass index measured.ResultsThere were no significant differences between patients and controls in plasma lipid peroxide levels. Seventy-three per cent of the patients smoked. Patients who smoked had a higher mean lipid peroxide level than non-smokers. Seventy-seven per cent of patients and 70% of controls had a ratio of vitamin Eto cholesterol of less than 5. Body mass index was lower in patients than in controls.ConclusionsAs a result of the high prevalence of smoking this group shows increased lipid peroxidation. Low serum ratios of vitamin Eto cholesterol in both patients and controls suggest an unsatisfactory diet.