Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences

Infertility is a crucial challenge for global health that encompasses economic, psychological, and medical aspects. Besides anatomical contributors to infertility, specific dietary components may influence reproductive outcomes in both men and women through diverse molecular and epigenetic mechanisms. This study aimed to evaluate the role of macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals in male and female infertility using a system biology approach. To address the complex interplay between infertility and nutritional factors, we focused on published studies that explore molecular and systems biology pathways, including those involving nutrigenetics, epigenetics, metabolomics, and gene expression profiling. These studies span both human and animal models and were selected based on their relevance to reproductive outcomes and mechanistic insights. Several nutrients appear to influence infertility through distinct molecular mechanisms. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may exert beneficial effects by modulating the expression of fertility-related genes, while saturated fatty acids (SFAs) are associated with impaired oocyte quality and reproductive dysfunction via altered gene expression and DNA damage. Among micronutrients, increased intake of folate and vitamin D has been linked to improved gamete quality and folliculogenesis in women with infertility. Dietary glutamine and selenium may enhance fertility through their antioxidant properties. Iron demonstrates dual effects, potentially supporting or impairing fertility depending on its role in epigenetic regulation. Dietary intake may influence the risk of infertility through pathways related to nutrigenetics, nutrigenomics, and nutri-epigenomics. While current evidence suggests promising nutrient–gene interactions, most findings are derived from small-scale or preclinical studies, highlighting the need for robust human trials.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among women, and retrieving the anti-tumor function of the immune system seems a promising treatment approach for its crucial role in combating cancer cells. In this study, we evaluated the impact of a combination therapy containing a TAK1 inhibitor, Takinib (Tak), a metabolic regulator, Metformin (Met), and an immunostimulant, Lentinula edodes mycelia extract (LEME) on enhancing the immune system’s anti-tumor activity in BALB/c mice bearing triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). BALB/c mice were used to induce TNBC tumors and evaluate tumor growth inhibition. The number of CD8+ CD28+ T cells was determined by immunofluorescence assay, the expression of MUC1 protein was assessed by Western blot, while the expression of TOX, NR4A1, and TIM-3 genes was evaluated by real-time PCR in mouse-derived tumor tissues. MTT assay was performed on different BC cell lines to assess cell viability. Molecular docking results revealed significant interactions between Tak and Met with TOX and NR4A1. The combination treatments of Tak, Met, and LEME significantly decreased tumor volume/weight in mice and also significantly increased the number of infiltrated CD8+ CD28+ T cells, reduced MUC-1 protein expression, and decreased the expression of TOX, NR4A1, and TIM-3 genes in mouse tumor tissue. Tak, Met, and their combination significantly decreased the cell viability of different BC cell lines. This study suggests that the Tak–Met–LEME combination treatments may inhibit BC progression by increasing CD8+ CD28+ T cell population in tumor tissue and decreasing tumor progression.

Ovarian cystectomy, while preserving fertility, may compromise ovarian reserve as reflected by declining Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) levels. Evidence regarding the comparative impact of laparoscopic versus laparotomic approaches remains conflicting. This study aimed to compare serum AMH levels before and three months after ovarian cystectomy performed by laparoscopy versus laparotomy in reproductive-aged women and to identify factors influencing postoperative AMH decline. This quasi-experimental study enrolled 66 women with benign ovarian cysts undergoing cystectomy at Hajar Hospital, Shahrekord, Iran (March 2024–March 2025). Participants were assigned to laparoscopy (n = 33) or laparotomy (n = 33) based on clinical indications. Serum AMH was measured preoperatively and three months postoperatively using ELISA. Primary outcomes were absolute and percentage changes in AMH. Subgroup analyses examined age, marital status, cyst type, and electrocautery use. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups except for larger cyst diameter in the laparotomy group (96.88 ± 18.45 vs. 82.30 ± 17.88 mm; p = 0.002). No significant between-group differences in AMH were observed preoperatively (2.18 ± 1.20 vs. 2.26 ± 1.25 ng/mL; p = 0.802) or postoperatively (1.98 ± 1.15 vs. 1.97 ± 1.12 ng/mL; p = 0.974). Both groups demonstrated significant within-group declines (laparoscopy: -0.20 ng/mL [-9.2

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE:Nano-curcumins (Nano-CUR) improve solubility, bioavailability, and stability of the release of CUR into the body. In this systematic review, we aim to investigate different CUR nanoformulations' in targeting radiosensitizing pathways and radioprotective mechanisms. METHODS:We thoroughly searched electronic databases, including PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, Embase, and Cochrane Library to identify pertinent studies published before July 21, 2024. inclusion and exclusion criteria were set based on the study's purposes. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction to ensure precision and minimize bias. Subsequently, the data were extracted and analyzed. RESULTS:A total of 24 articles were included. Nano-CURs by scavenging the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), decrease malondialdehyde (MDA), improve superoxide dismutase (SOD), prevent DNA methylation, reduce tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-b and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β1), improve cell cycle, inhibit vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), attenuate cell cytotoxicity and modulate cell apoptosis induce its radioprotective effects. In contrast, Nano-CUR induces oxidative stress and accumulation ROS, inhibits nuclear factor-κB (NF- κB), activates the expression of TNF, TGF-β, phosphatidylinositol and FoxO, causing DNA damage, activating proapoptotic pathways (boosted P53, P21 and BAX expressions), cell cycle arrest, reducing hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), revealed radiosensitizing effects. CONCLUSION:Nano-CURs improve CUR bioavailability and increase cancerous cells' sensitivity to radiation. They also protect healthy cells from ionizing radiation without significant side effects.

Microalgae are increasingly recognized as a sustainable source of nutritionally and pharmacologically relevant bioactive compounds. The growing applications of microalgae have prompted intensive research into sustainable, high-yield extraction methods for bioactive recovery. Cold plasma technology has emerged as a promising non-thermal tool for improving extraction efficiency in biological systems. Its application in extraction is particularly attractive due to its eco-friendly nature and capacity to induce cell wall disruption, facilitating compound release. This study aimed to optimize Atmospheric Cold Plasma-Assisted Extraction (ACPAE) of bioactive compounds from Chlorella vulgaris and to compare its performance with conventional maceration (ME). Extraction time (5-15 min) was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and the resulting extracts were analyzed for phytohormones, vitamins, amino acids, minerals, and total carbohydrates. Results demonstrated that ACPAE offers a non-thermal extraction strategy that significantly enhances the recovery of bioactive compounds compared with ME. The optimized ACPAE condition (12.73 +/- 0.05 min) yielded the highest levels of phytohormones, amino acids, and minerals, while maceration produced higher total carbohydrate and certain vitamin contents. Plasma treatment induced structural modifications in algal cells, such as cell wall disruption, thereby facilitating the release of intracellular bioactive compounds. Overall, ACPAE demonstrated a more effective, time- and resource-efficient, and eco-friendly alternative to conventional maceration, with strong potential for scalable recovery of microalgal bioproducts.