Serum oxidative stress, visfatin and apelin in healthy women and those with premenstrual syndrome

Determination of thiol-disulphide homeostasis in premenstrual syndrome during adolescence

BACKGROUND

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) characterized by cyclic symptoms during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, presents an uncertain etiology in adolescents involving hormonal fluctuations and serotonin-related neurotransmitters with a limited existing literature on the impact of oxidative stress. This study aimed to explore the potential association between PMS and oxidative stress in adolescents.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional study conducted at a university hospital, involving 45 adolescent girls aged 12 to 18, participants were categorized based on the presence or absence of PMS using the cut-off point of 110 on the PMS Scale developed by Gençdoğan. Oxidative stress was assessed through dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis. The shift from the balance towards disulfide form is associated with oxidative stress, whereas towards thiol it shows a greater antioxidant capacity.

RESULTS

Thirty out of the forty-five participants were found to have PMS with a mean age of 15.5 years. The PMS group demonstrated a significant increase in antioxidant markers, specifically elevated native (631.6±57.55 vs 598.2±41.08, p=0.048) and total thiol levels (675.15±3.4 vs 639.3±44.9, p=0.031). Despite a significant increase in thiol, thiol to disulfide ratio was not found to be significant (p=0.849).

CONCLUSION

Contradictory to other studies in adults, we have demonstrated an increase in the antioxidant markers in adolescents with PMS. Elevated antioxidant status in adolescents with PMS may be an adaptive response to acute cyclic inflammation in the adolescent period, which might decrease with the progression of age. Further research is needed to investigate the complex interaction between oxidative stress and PMS across different age groups.

Is Premenstrual Syndrome Associated with Inflammation, Oxidative Stress and Antioxidant Status? A Systematic Review of Case-Control and Cross-Sectional Studies

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a cyclically occurring combination of various symptoms, leading to decreased life quality among approximately 30% of women of childbearing age. PMS etiology remains unknown; however, there are some suggestions that inappropriate inflammatory response and oxidative stress are involved. This study aimed to systematically review case–control and cross-sectional studies investigating inflammation markers, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status among women with PMS and controls. The study protocol was registered with PROSPERO (no. CRD42020178545), and the authors followed the guidelines for performing a systemic review recommended by Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). By searching PubMed and Scopus databases (up to 8 January 2021), six case–control studies and five cross-sectional studies of medium or high quality were classified to the review. The systematic review included 652 women with PMS and 678 controls, for whom 36 eligible markers were determined. Limited evidence indicates increased levels of inflammatory parameters and suggests decreased antioxidant status in PMS women. Insufficient data with inconsistent results made it impossible to formulate a firm conclusion on the contribution of oxidative stress in PMS occurrence. To acknowledge the role of inflammation, oxidative stress, and antioxidant status in the pathophysiology of PMS, further research with case–control design and large study groups is needed.

Serum antioxidant vitamin concentrations and oxidative stress markers associated with symptoms and severity of premenstrual syndrome: a prospective cohort study

Background

It has been suggested that premenstrual syndrome (PMS) may derive from either elevated oxidative stress or reduced antioxidant vitamin levels in the body; however, these relationships have been minimally studied in a large cohort of healthy women. Our objective was to estimate the association between serum concentrations of antioxidant vitamins (A, C, and E) and markers of oxidative stress (F2-isoprostane) with symptoms and severity of PMS.

Methods

The BioCycle study was a prospective cohort study following 259 healthy premenopausal women aged 18–44 years for up to 2 menstrual cycles. Frequency/severity of 20 PMS symptoms were assessed via questionnaires 4 times/cycle, and antioxidant vitamins and oxidative stress biomarkers were measured up to 8 times/cycle to correspond with specific cycle phases. Generalized linear models were used to estimate associations between mean antioxidant concentrations and oxidative stress biomarkers with PMS symptoms and severity; linear mixed models were used to evaluate associations with symptom severity scores within groups (e.g. depression, cravings, pain).

Results

Higher concentrations of serum antioxidant vitamins were largely not associated with prevalence or severity of PMS symptoms. Though a few associations were observed, only associations between mean γ-tocopherol and decreased odds of swelling of the hands/feet survived adjustment for multiple comparisons (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.16, 0.65, per ug/dL). However, F2-isoprostanes were associated with prevalence and severity of several symptoms specifically related to depression and cravings (depression score β = 0.07, 95% CI 0.02, 0.12, per 10 ug/dL; cravings score β = 0.16, 95% CI 0.10, 0.22, per 10 ug/dL), as well as with classification of PMS severity (OR 1.07, 95% CI 1.01, 1.14, per 10 pg/dL), with these associations surviving adjustment for false discovery rate.

Conclusions

F2-isoprostanes, but not antioxidant vitamins, were associated with select PMS symptoms, as well as symptom and severity categories. Specific symptom relationships merit further research.

Relationship between Apelin/APJ Signaling, Oxidative Stress, and Diseases

Apelin, a peptide hormone, is an endogenous ligand for G protein-coupled receptor and has been shown to be widely expressed in human and animal tissues, such as the central nervous system and adipose tissue. Recent studies indicate that the apelin/APJ system is involved in the regulation of multiple physiological and pathological processes, and it is associated with cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, neurological diseases, ischemia-reperfusion injury, aging, eclampsia, deafness, and tumors. The occurrence and development of these diseases are closely related to the local inflammatory response. Oxidative stress is that the balance between oxidation and antioxidant is broken, and reactive oxygen species are produced in large quantities, causing cell or molecular damage, which leads to vascular damage and a series of inflammatory reactions. Hence, this article reviewed recent advances in the relationship between apelin/APJ and oxidative stress, and inflammation-related diseases, and highlights them as potential therapeutic targets for oxidative stress-related inflammatory diseases.

The role of immune and oxidative pathways in menstrual cycle associated depressive, physio-somatic, breast and anxiety symptoms: Modulation by sex hormones

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether 1) immune and nitro-oxidative stress (IO&NS) biomarkers are associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS); and 2) changes in IO&NS biomarkers during the menstrual cycle (MC) are associated with PMS symptoms and plasma estradiol and progesterone.

METHODS

This longitudinal study examined 41 women who completed the Daily Record of Severity of Problems (DRSP) rating scale during 28 consecutive days and assayed plasma levels of complement C3 and C4, highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), haptoglobin (Hp), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), lipid hydroperoxides (LOOH), nitric oxide metabolites (NOx), total radical-trapping antioxidant parameter (TRAP), sulfhydryl (-SH) groups and the activity of paraoxonase (PON)1 at days 7 (D7), 14 (D14), 21 (D21) and 28 (D28) of the MC. MC Associated Syndrome (MCAS) was diagnosed when the summed DRSP score during the MC is >0.666 percentile.

RESULTS

All biomarkers, except hsCRP, showed significant alterations during the MC. Arylesterase (AREase) was lowered at D28, while LOOH increased at D14 and C4 at D21 in MCAS. Total DRSP scores were predicted by the combined effects of C4 (positively) and AREase and malondialdehyde (MDA) (both inversely associated). Progesterone lowered levels of LOOH, AOPP and C3 and estradiol lowered levels of Hp while both sex hormones increased 4-(chloromethyl)phenyl acetate (CMPA)ase and AREase activities and levels of -SH groups.

CONCLUSION

PMS/MCAS is not accompanied by a peripheral inflammatory response. Lowered MDA and antioxidant defenses and increased C4 may play a role in MC symptoms while sex hormones may have a protective effect against oxidative stress toxicity.

Effect of Zinc Supplementation on Physical and Psychological Symptoms, Biomarkers of Inflammation, Oxidative Stress, and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Young Women with Premenstrual Syndrome: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial

Zinc is known to have multiple beneficial effects including anti-inflammatory and antioxidant and anti-depressant actions. Data on the effects of zinc supplementation on biomarkers of inflammation, oxidative stress, and antidepressant-like effect among young women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) are scarce. This study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Sixty women (18-30 years) with premenstrual syndrome diagnosed according to 30-item questionnaire were randomly assigned to receive either 30-mg zinc gluconate (group 1; n = 30) and/or placebo (group 2; n = 30) for 12 weeks. Premenstrual syndrome symptoms, total antioxidant capacity, high sensitivity reactive protein, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor were measured at study baseline and after 12-week intervention. After 12 weeks of intervention, PMS physical symptoms (P = 0.03) and psychological symptoms (P = 0.006) significantly decreased in zinc group compared to placebo group. We observed a significant increase in brain-derived neurotrophic factor (P = 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (P ˂ 0.001) after 12 weeks of intervention with zinc compared to placebo. We failed to find any significant effect of zinc supplementation on high sensitivity reactive protein. Overall, zinc supplementation for 12 weeks among women with premenstrual syndrome had beneficial effects on physical and psychological symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, total antioxidant capacity, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor.

The Influence of Benson Relaxation on Oxidative Stress Marker of Premenstrual Syndrome in Students of Khoy University of Medical Sciences

BACKGROUND:

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a common painful disorder in females. The use of Benson’s relaxation technique with a focus on sensations affects a range of physical and mental symptoms, reduces stress, and subsequently leads to changes in oxidative stress indexes.

AIM:

The present study aimed to determine the impact of Benson’s relaxation technique on oxidative stress indexes of premenstrual syndrome in students in Khoy University of Medical Sciences.

METHODS:

A quasi-experimental design with intervention and control groups was used in this study. The female nursing students at Khoy University of Medical Sciences were selected by convenience and were assigned by the simple random method to control and intervention groups, each of which with 30 samples. The data collection tool was a three-part questionnaire and a checklist for recording values. Data collection was done at two stages of before and after intervention on days 21 to 28 and the third day of menstruation by distributing questionnaires and a blood sampling. The Mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage using descriptive statistics and Inferential statistically were utilised to analyse data through paired T-test, independent T-test, and Chi-square tests in addition to analysis of relations by using SPSS V25 at the p-value < 0.05.

RESULTS:

According to the findings, most of the samples were single (90%), native (61.6%) and had PMS symptoms (83.3%). The participants’ mean age was 21 ± 1.5 years, and most of them had physical symptoms of headache, fatigue, behavioural symptoms of nervous tension and mood swing. The results indicated a significant difference between control and intervention groups in malondialdehyde2 (MDA2) and Total Antioxidant Capacity2 (TAC2) (p = 0.001). The within-groups comparison indicated a statistically significant difference between the total MDA index with a mean difference of 0.126 and TAC index (-.122) of the intervention group (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSION:

The research results emphasised the importance of using Benson’s relaxation techniques as an alternative medicine on the variability of levels oxidative stress markers and Consequently for reducing physical and mental symptoms.

Antioxidant effect of aqueous extract of four plants with therapeutic potential on gynecological diseases; Semen persicae, Leonurus cardiaca, Hedyotis diffusa, and Curcuma zedoaria

BACKGROUND

Little information is available concerning antioxidant effects of plant teas (water boiled) which are used more commonly in traditional Chinese medicine than other extracts. Thus, we addressed this issue by evaluating the ability of teas from four different plants with therapeutic potential on gynecological diseases.

METHODS

The aqueous extracts of Semen persicae, Leonurus cardiaca, Hedyotis diffusa, and Curcuma zedoaria rhizome were prepared and then their effects on copper-induced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) oxidation were evaluated by spectrophotometric method. Density gradient ultracentrifugation method was recruited to isolate LDL-C from healthy individuals.

RESULTS

Our results showed that adding 10, 20, and 30 µl S. persicae could increase the lag phase duration of LDL-C oxidation compared with control reaction 12, 21, and 33%, respectively. The most effective delay (87%) was observed when 30 µl H. diffusa was added to the reaction. In cases of L. cardiaca and C. zedoaria, we found no significant influence on the lag phase duration (p > 0.05). Moreover, our findings about starting point of the decomposition phase were almost in parallel with the lag phase results, as 30 µl of S. persicae or H. diffusa teas could significantly increase the initiation time of decomposition (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion our results showed that both S. persicae and H. diffusa teas and not L. cardiaca and C. zedoaria could have medicinal therapeutic effects partly through direct oxidation prevention.

Cord Blood Adiponectin and Visfatin Concentrations in relation to Oxidative Stress Markers in Neonates Exposed and Nonexposed In Utero to Tobacco Smoke

Aims. Maternal smoking is considered as a source of oxidative stress, which has been implicated to disrupted adipokines expression in adipose tissue. We examined the relationship between selected adipokines and markers of oxidative stress/antioxidant defence in the umbilical cord of neonates exposed and nonexposed in utero to tobacco smoke. Methods. Subjects including 85 healthy neonates (born to 41 smokers and 44 nonsmokers) were tested for adiponectin, visfatin, oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL), total oxidant capacity (TOC), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Results. Cord serum visfatin, ox-LDL, and TOC were significantly higher (p < 0.001) but adiponectin and TAC were lower (p < 0.001 and p < 0.05, resp.) in smoking group than in tobacco abstinents. In whole group of children (adjusted for smoking status, gender, and birth weight) adiponectin showed negative and visfatin positive correlations with ox-LDL. In the model estimated separately for smokers ox-LDL explained 36% of adiponectin and 35.5% of visfatin variance, while in the model of nonsmokers it explained 36.8% and 69.4%, respectively. Conclusion. Maternal smoking enhances oxidative status and depletes antioxidant potential in newborns. Lower level of adiponectin and higher visfatin concentration seem to be related with a less beneficial oxidative stress profile and higher level of lipid peroxidation in neonates exposed and nonexposed in utero to tobacco smoke.