The aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between cataract development and serum lipids, glucose as well as antioxidants in a case-control study. Methods: Ninety patients with cataract and 90 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were investigated. Lipid profiles including triglyceride (Tg), total serum cholesterol (Chol) and cholesterol content in high-density lipoproteins (HDL chol) and low-density lipoproteins (LDL chol) as well as fasting glucose (FBS) were measured for all subjects. Plasma oxidative stress as thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and the status of antioxidants were studied as ferric reducing/antioxidant power (FRAP) and thiol substance assay. Results: A higher prevalence of abnormal FBS (8.9 vs 1.1%), Tg (26.7 vs 8.9%) and Chol (54.4 vs 30%) was found in cataract patients than the control group (p < 0.05). Plasma Tg (p = 0.02), Chol (p = 0.001) and LDL chol (p = 0.04) were significantly higher in the cataract group than in the control group. Likewise TBARS (p = 0.05) as the level of oxidative stress was significantly higher in the case group, and FRAP (p = 0.03) and thiol (p = 0.02) assays as the antioxidant activity was significantly lower among cataract patients. Conclusion: This study has shown that hypercholesterolaemia, hypertriglyceridaemia, high LDL chol and high FBS are associated with cataract. Also lower plasma antioxidant levels and higher levels of oxidative stress were seen in cataract patients than healthy controls. These findings indicate a need for health promotional activities aimed at controlling these preventable factors among high risk populations.

Objective: The production of reactive oxygen species in exercise causes oxidative stress which disturbs the balance of oxidants and antioxidants, causing destructive effects on cells. The present study aims to investigate the effect of three types of massage (Swedish, Russian, Thai) on serum levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Glutathione Peroxidase (GPX) and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) following one session of exhaustive exercise. Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted on 48 female futsal players aged 17-22 years in Zahedan, Iran who were selected using a purposive sampling method, and randomly divided into four groups of Swedish massage (Long strokes with pressing and tapping using hands), Russian massage (Medium to high pressure), Thai massage (Pressure to certain parts of the body) and Control. The exercise program was based on Bruce protocol. Serum levels of MDA, GPX and SOD were measured by before and immediately after exercise and after massage. Data analysis was performed using repeated measures ANOVA, considering a significance level of P≤0.05. Results: In all three types of massage, there was a significant decrease in serum level of MDA (0.22±0.08), and a significant increase in GPX (1.84±0.46) and SOD (10.02±2.86) levels after exhaustive (P=0.001). No significant difference was observed in the control group. Conclusion: It seems that Russian, Thai, and Swedish types of massage can affect the serum levels of the MDA (as an oxidative stress marker) and the antioxidant enzymes of GPX and SOD during the post-exercise recovery period.