Objective: To evaluate the selenium status and oxidative stress in male infertility cases selected from a private human reproduction center in the state of Ceará, Brazil. Methods: The present study had a cross-sectional quantitative approach, carried out between January and October 2013 at a Human Reproduction Center. The studied population was composed of 49 male individuals seen at the clinic, aged between 18 and 60 years. Blood samples were collected to measure serum selenium concentrations, erythrocyte activity and glutathione peroxidase. After medical diagnosis, the participants were divided into fertile and infertile groups. Blood samples were collected for establishing Se concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes, and measurements of the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase in the erythrocytes. Result: it resulted in 53.1% of fertile men and 46.9% of infertile men. The average age of the fertile group was 34.1 years and the infertile group was 37.3 years. Regarding the assessment of nutritional status, the scatter diagram of the infertility group showed a higher body mass index and waist circumference, showing that this group has a higher risk of global and abdominal obesity compared to the fertile group ( p <0.0001, respectively). There were similarities between the groups regarding caloric intake, macronutrient and selenium intake. Conclusion: We can conclude that the serum values of selenium, in excess and in deficiency, can be harmful to male fertility.
The high prevalence of male infertility associated with the high costs of its conventional treatment motivated researchers to look for alternative approaches to the treatment of sexual dysfunction. The use of medicinal plants for these fins has been adopted in Withania somnifera which is one of the plants that has been associated with improvements in male fertility. Thus, the aim of this study was to review data available in the literature on the effect of W. somnifera in the treatment of male infertility. The Pubmed, Lilacs and Medline databases from 2009 to 2019 were searched and 9 articles selected, including intervention articles, systematic review and meta-analysis. Also known as Aswagandha or "Indian Ginseng", the part of W. somnifera most used in treating infertility is the root, mainly in the form of extract. It acts through two mechanisms: "oxidative" and "non-oxidative", both associated with improved sperm count, motility and morphology. However, further studies should be conducted investigating isolated phytochemicals to verify their true functionality.
Tapioca é um alimento típico da região Nordeste, de bastante consumo e amplamente comercializado de forma ambulante. Este é um comércio de atividade informal com processamento do alimento realizado de forma artesanal e com alto risco de contaminação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar, a partir de uma análise descritiva, se há relação entre as condições de preparação da tapioca com seu conteúdo micológico. Os dados foram coletados em 10 pontos de vendas no município de Fortaleza/CE. As amostras foram levadas ao Laboratório de Microbiologia da Universidade Estadual do Ceará para análise micológica pelo método da diluição e, através da aplicação de questionários, foram analisadas as práticas de manipulação e armazenamento do produto. Os resultados mostraram que, das dez amostras analisadas, 40% apresentaram crescimento fúngico, evidenciando o aparecimento de sete gêneros (Acremonium, Candida, Cladosporium, Curvularia, Mucor, Penicillium e Rhodotorula). Estes, quando presentes em alimentos, são considerados como indicadores das más condições higiênicas de manipulação, e por este motivo, as colônias encontradas nas massas de tapioca sugerem que foram preparadas em condições inadequadas. De acordo com os resultados, mostra-se necessária a realização de programas de treinamento de vendedores ambulantes, visando a melhoria da qualidade dos produtos oferecidos pelos mesmos.
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