Journal of

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Introduction: Foods including soy and dietary supplements are widely used for health benefits, particularly by menopausal women. Serum levels of T3 and T4 decrease in ovariectomized animals and on the other hand, Estradiol can increase levels of thyroid hormones. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the effects of soy extract on the thyroid hormones in ovariectomized rats. Methods: Forty female wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups (ten animals in each): Sham–operated (surgery without remove of ovaries), ovariectomized, treated (OVX+soy extract) and control-gavages (intact animals with soy extract). Animals in sham - operated and ovariectomized (OVX) groups received 0/5 ml normal saline by gavages. Animals of treated and control-gavages groups were treated with soy extracts 60mg/kg/day in drinking water for 28 days by gavages. Results: The results showed that TSH serum level increased and serum levels of T3 and T4 decreased significantly in OVX group compared to the sham group (p0.000). Furthurmore, serum levels of T3 and T4 increased and TSH levels decreased significantly in the treated group compared to the OVX group (p0.000). Conclusions: Soy extract administration has a positive effect on serum concentrations of thyroid hormones in ovariectomized rats.

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Introdution: Crataegus oxycanta (hawthorn) is used in herbal and homeopathic medicine as a cardiotonic.The present study was done to investigate the effect of the Crataegus oxycanta on antioxidant status in induced myocardial infarction in rat.
Methods: In this experimental study, four groups of wistar rats (200-220g) each comprising 10 animals, were selected for this study. Group I, rats served as control. Group II rats were given isoperternol (85mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously on 15th and 16th days. Group III rats were given Crataegus oxycanta (100mg/kg/day), orally for 30 days.  Group IV rats were given Crataegus oxycanta (100mg/kg/day), orally for 30 days and isoperternol (85mg/kg body weight, subcutaneously) was given on 15th and 16th days. At the end of the experimental period, the rats were anaesthetized and blood obtained from the heart then rats were sacrificed and the hearts were removed for biochemical and histological analysis. The activity of malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and total antioxidants was studied. Descriptive one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used in different group. Significance was defined as P ≤ 0.05. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software version 16.
Results: Crataegus significantly reduced plasma and heart tissue MDA levels (p<0.05) and significantly increased catalase, SOD, GPX and total antioxidant levels versus the group that received only isoperternol (p<0.05 ). Crataegus also decreased the rate of edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and heart tissue necrosis compared to the group that received only isoperternol.
Conclusion: The study confirms the protective effect of Crataegus oxycanta against tissue damage and  oxidative stress caused by  isoperternol induced myocardial infarction