ABSTRACT

       Background and Objective: Measurement of amino acids is an important tool for metabolic studies and evaluation of patients’ clinical condition. The aim of this study was to analyze the plasma amino acids using reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography techniques (RP-HPLC) with pre-column derivatization by o-phthalaldehyde (OPA) in combination with 3- mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA).

       Methods: Overall, 107 neonates and babies suspected of having metabolic disorder were enrolled in this study. The level of amino acids in plasma samples was analyzed within 65 minutes by HPLC with pre-column derivatization by OPA/3-MPA. This was a gradient RP-HPLC method that was performed using two solvents with a ratio of methanol and sodium acetate. L-norvaline internal standard was used as the reference peak for amino acids. Standard mixture of amino acids was used to determine the concentrations of amino acids.

        Results: According to the values of coefficient of variation obtained for each amino acid, the results indicated a good chromatographic separation of amino acids by this method. The use of OPA/3-MPA derivative reagent increased the efficiency and resolution of amino acids chromatographic separation.

      Conclusion: Due to simple preparation and accurate assessment, determination of plasma amino acids using OPA/3-MPA derivatives and RP-HPLC is a suitable method in many clinical samples.

ABSTRACT

        Background and Objectives: sperm motility mainly depends on aerobic glycolysis, and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is a key enzyme in the last step of this process. On the other hand, fructose is considered as the main energy source for sperm motility. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the LDH activity and fructose levels and their correlation with sperm motion parameters in normospermic and asthenozospermic males.

       Methods: In this case-control study, 96 normospermic and 96 asthenozospermic males were enrolled.  The semen samples were analyzed by computer assisted semen analysis to identify sperm motion parameters. Seminal plasma fructose levels were measured using Seliwanoff's test. LDH activity in the samples was evaluated using commercially available kits. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS software (version 16).

       Results: The levels of LDH activity and fructose concentration were not different between the two groups. There was no correlation found between LDH activity and fructose concentration or sperm motility parameters. However, LDH was significantly correlated with sperm concentration in both groups.

      Conclusion: Although LDH activity and fructose levels seem to be influenced by sperm motility, other factors such as sperm concentration and total sperm count can also affect their seminal plasma levels. Thus, when the sperm concentrations are equal in study groups, the level of these factors are expected to be equal.

         Keywords: Lactate Dehydrogenase, Fructose, Sperm Motility, CASA.

ABSTRACT
         Background and objectives: 3' untranslated  region  (3'UTR) single  nucleotide  polymorphisms (SNPs) represent genetic variations that may potentially affect binding of miRNA to coding genes, potentially leading to complex disorders. We aimed to perform in silico analysis of the potential phenotypic effect of 3'UTR SNPs on human astrocyte elevated gene-1 (AEG-1), a newly identified candidate cancer gene.
         Methods: We gathered a list of all 3'UTR SNPs located in the human AEG-1 gene from the SNP database. Analysis of the potential effects was done using MirSNP and MicroSNiper.
         Results: Analysis by the MirSNP estimated that rs187728237 might increase the affinity of two miRNAs and decrease the affinity of 10 other miRNAs to the AEG-1 transcript. Moreover, MicroSNiPer showed that rs80320514 might affect 24 putative miRNA binding sites in the 3'UTR of AEG-1.
         Conclusion:  Based on our findings, it can be concluded that the 3'UTR SNPs located in the human AEG-1 gene may be within the miRNA targets of the transcript, therefore affecting the stability of putative miRNA-target interactions.
         Keywords: AEG-1, miRNA, SNPs, 3' Untranslated Region.