Introduction: Nowadays, diabetes and its related methbolic disorders are the main cause of end stage renal disease. The present study aimed to investigate the possible therapeutic effects of Launaea acanthodes hydro-alcoholic extract administration on the serum and urine albumin and bilirubin levels in hyperglycemic rats. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups the control, hyperglycemic (STZ 55 mg/kg), hyperglycemia+ insulin (STZ+Ins 5 IU/kg/day) and hyperglycemia+extract (STZ+Ext 150 mg/kg/day). Blood and urine samples were taken at the end of the 2nd and 4th weeks of experiment and serum and urine albumin and bilirubin levels were assessed. Results: Although compared to the control group in the 2nd week samples in which the serum levels of bilirubin in STZ and STZ+ Ext groups were significantly increased, in the 4th week only STZ group samples showed significant differences. In the 4th week urine samples the level of albumin was remarkably increased in STZ and STZ+Ins while there was no significant difference in the STZ+Ext group samples. Conclusion: These results clearly indicate the beneficial effect of L.acanthodes extract adiminstration in prevention of albumin loss through urine in hyperglycemic status. Therefore it may be concluded that L.acanthodes could be effective in the treatment of metabolic disorders.

Introduction: The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis controls reproductive function. The hypothalamus secretes GnRH that is transported to the anterior pituitary gland to stimulate the release of the gonadotrophic hormones. Which act on the gonads to stimulate sexual maturation, gametogenesis and steroidogenesis. Although GnRH neurons are a key component of the HPG axis, other neurotransmitters or neuropeptides in the hypothalamus, such as glutamate, GABA, galanin, dopamine and kisspeptin have been suggested to be involved in the regulation of GnRH secretion. In addition to GnRH neurons, pituitary and gonads, some of these neuronal populations such kisspeptin are extremely sensitive to changes in the levels of steroid hormones and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Several EDCs, such as pesticides, bisphenol A, phthalates, tamoxifen, phytoestrogens and mycoestrogens can interact with the female and male reproductive system function and lead to disruption of endocrine function. Reproductive system development and function may be susceptible to the effects of such EDCs. By far, the greatest concerns for the potential adverse effects of EDCs have focused on their deleterious impact on reproductive health. It has been demonstrated under laboratory conditions and epidemiological studies that EDCs can exert detrimental effects especially during hormonal critical periods such as fetal and neonatal periods on the reproductive system. This article reviews some evidence that EDCs can impair the HPG axis and reproductive function.