Iron supplementation can amplify the inflammatory response and subsequent mucosal damage in a rat model of colitis. We suggest that the resultant oxidative stress generated by iron supplementation leads to the extension and propagation of crypt abscesses, either through direct membrane disruption by lipid peroxidation or through the generation of secondary toxic oxidants. Simultaneous treatment with 5-ASA and/or lycopene minimizes the potential hazard of iron. Therefore, we suggest giving iron supplementation with 5-ASA or lycopene or both.

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Background: Several studies have addressed the influence of labor and mode of delivery on oxidative stress. Still it is unclear whether oxidative stress is related to delivery itself or whether it reflects a pre-existing fetal oxidative status. Objective: To investigate whether the degree of fetal oxidative stress is different between distressed fetuses that were delivered by emergent cesarean section and non-distressed fetuses that were delivered by elective cesarean section. Methods: The protocol of this prospective study was approved by the Institutional Review Board Committee. Amniotic fluid and umbilical artery blood were prospectively collected from 21 parturients who were delivered by an emergent cesarean section for non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern and from 21 parturients who were delivered by an elective cesarean section in a tertiary care center. Oxidative stress was evaluated in amniotic fluid, umbilical cord plasma and erythrocytes by determining malondialdehyde concentration and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity. Results: Malondialdehyde concentration was higher in amniotic fluid (mean ± SEM) (2.2 ± 0.7 nmol/l vs. 0.6 ± 0.02 nmol/l, p < 0.05), in umbilical cord plasma (1.2 ± 0.2 nmol/l vs. 0.7 ± 0.3 nmol/l, p < 0.05) and in umbilical cord erythrocytes (159.6 ± 48.6 nmol/g Hb vs. 85.8 ± 5.2 nmol/g Hb, p < 0.05) in women delivering by emergent cesarean compared to those delivering by elective cesarean. GPX activity was enhanced in amniotic fluid (12.4 ± 2.2 U/l vs. 5.1 ± 0.6 U/l, p < 0.05) and GPX activity/hemoglobin ratio was higher in cord blood (22.0 ± 0.8 U/g Hb vs. 18.7 ± 0.9 U/g Hb, p < 0.05) in women delivering by emergent cesarean compared to those delivering by elective cesarean. Conclusion: Distressed fetuses delivered by emergency cesarean exhibited increased malondialdehyde concentrations, an indicative parameter for oxidative damage, and enhanced GPX activity an antioxidant enzyme, in amniotic fluid and umbilical cord blood compared to non-distressed fetuses delivered by elective cesarean section. This is probably an indication of higher fetal oxidative stress.

Lower serum relaxin levels could contribute to the occurrence of striae gravidarum during pregnancy through decreased elasticity of the connective tissue.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of lycopene and beta-carotene on the inflammatory status in a rat model of induced-colitis. Using the 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) model, colitis was induced in thirty-two male Wistar rats divided into four groups. Each group received a different diet regime in parallel with the induction of colitis and was sacrificed after seven days. The groups were divided as follows: Group A: without colitis and fed a normal chow diet; Group B: induced with colitis and fed a diet supplemented with lycopene (300 micrograms/rat/day); Group C: induced with colitis and fed a diet supplemented with beta-carotene (300 micrograms/rat/day); Group D: induced with colitis and fed a normal chow diet. Colonic inflammation following TNBS induction was characterized by hemorrhagic necrosis and fibrosis of the mucosa, increased colonic wall thickness, infiltration of inflammatory cells, and increased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity. Supplementation of lycopene in the diet had a beneficial effect on the various macroscopic parameters examined including: colonic thickness, colon weight, and total area of inflammation. Furthermore, the level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) was significantly lower in the lycopene-treated group compared to the control group. In terms of microscopic changes, a more attenuated inflammatory reaction was observed in the group fed a diet supplemented with lycopene. No significant effect was noted in the beta-carotene-supplemented group. Therefore, we propose that the dietary supplementation of lycopene may be an effective approach for reducing the level of oxidative stress and improving the inflammatory status of colitis.