An approach to determine the stability of benzodiazepines and some of their metabolites (n = 13) by means of a routinely applied gas chromatographic method using electron capture detection was made in this preliminary study. Validation data of the method are given. Spiked blood and plasma samples were stored at 4 degrees C and analysed at selected times up to 240 days. The concentrations of all analytes had decreased to at least 60% of the original levels at the end of the observation period. A clear pattern of breakdown could not be established. The data obtained suggest that results from long-term stored samples should be interpreted cautiously. Further investigations concerning the stability of drugs in blood and plasma samples, additional methods of identification and determination as well as the establishment of optimal storage conditions seem necessary.

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Background: The regular intake of fiber generates numerous health benefits. However, the efficacy depends on the duration of consumption and the ingested dose. Studies investigating the optimal dose are of interest to enable the inclusion of fiber in the routine treatment of diabetic patients. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effects of different doses of β-glucan (BG-isolated from Saccharomyces cerevisiae), in comparison to n-3 supplement, on the inflammatory and metabolic parameters of Wistar rats induced to diabetes by streptozotocin. Methods: Forty animals were randomly divided into six groups receiving 0 mg/kg, 10 mg/kg, 20 mg/kg, or 40 mg/kg BG daily for 4 weeks or fish oil derivative [1000 mg/kg of omega-3 fatty acids (n-3)] for the same period. One additional group was composed of healthy controls. Serum metabolic and immunological parameters were evaluated by colorimetric and ELISA assays respectively. Histopathological analysis of the liver, small intestine and pancreas were also conducted. Significant changes due to BG intake were set into regression models with second-degree fit in order to estimate the optimal BG dose to achieve health benefits. Results: The animals that ingested BG had lower food and water intake (p < 0.05) than the negative control group (0 mg/kg). However, consumption was still elevated in comparison to healthy controls. Blood glucose and serum levels of total cholesterol, LDL-c, and TG (p < 0.05) reduced in comparison to diabetic animals without treatment (better or similar to n-3 group depending on dose), but did not reach normal levels (in comparison to healthy controls). HDL-c was not different (p > 0.05) among all groups. These reductions were already seen with the lowest dose of 10 mg/kg. On average, the serum levels of the hepatic enzymes ALT and AST were 40% and 60% lower in the BG groups in comparison to diabetic animals without treatment (better results than n-3 group). The group receiving 40 mg/kg reached similar values of healthy controls for ALT; whereas the same result occurred from the dose of 10 mg/kg for AST. The ideal dose, estimated from the mean of all metabolic parameters was approximately 30 mg/kg/day. Regarding the

Human infertility is a growing problem worldwide (Borght & Wyns, 2018). It is estimated that reproductive problems affect between 10% and 15% of couples, and in approximately 50% of cases, such disorders are associated with abnormal seminal parameters (Jungwirth et al., 2012). In fact, studies have shown a progressive decline in the quality of human semen over recent decades (Aitken, 2013;Levine et al., 2017). This abnormality is related to age and environmental and/or occupational factors such as smoking, alcoholism, use of illegal drugs, eating habits and obesity, insomnia, psychological stress, and exposure to high temperatures, radiation and electromagnetic waves (Durairajanayagam, 2018).To alleviate this problem, a variety of products, including raw or isolated plant extracts, are being assessed (Malviya et al., 2016).The demand for phytotherapeutic drugs has been increasing daily because they have better tolerability, relative availability and lower cost than do conventional therapeutic substances (Kaundal et al., 2016). In general, the effects of medicinal plants on reproductive functions are associated with antioxidant compounds that, in general, positively affect spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis (Nantia et al., 2009;Sheweita et al., 2005). Medicinal plants have also been shown to act on the central or peripheral nervous system, improving the responsiveness of male reproductive tissues to neurotransmitters and regulating the synthesis of nitric oxide and sex hormones, mainly FSH, LH and testosterone, in addition to