Post interferon therapy decreases male fertility through gonadotoxic effect

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus [HCV] has been seen in more than 15% of Pakistani population. For the treatment of this infection, only two medicines, interferon, and ribavirin were approved in 1998. The concerned physicians evaluate side effects of these two antiviral drugs only during the treatment period. The long-term extra hepatic side effects are being neglected. This retrospective study was conducted with reference to induced infertility in HCV treated 40 male patients from the period 2008-2015. Possible effects of interferon therapy on fertility hormones and seminal parameters were assessed. Level of fertility hormones like serum Follicle Stimulating Hormone [FSH], Luteinizing Hormone [LH], and testosterone was measured. For seminal parameters, guidelines from World Health Organization [WHO] were followed. Among forty cases of HCV patients who received interferon, only 14 [35%] have children and 26 [65%] could not conceive [p = 0.0372]. After HCV treatment, HCV positive patients showed a significant change in the level of FSH, LH [p<0.05]. Especially, it decreased testosterone level [p=0.0096]. Similarly, HCV treatment significantly decreased sperm count [p = 0.001] and motility [p = 0.0005]

Radiolabeling of benzylpenicillin with lutetium-177: quality control and biodistribution study to develop theranostic infection imaging agent

Benzylpenicillin acts through binding with beta-lactamase enzyme and inhibiting the bacterial cell wall biosynthesis. Therefore, the radiolabeling of benzylpenicillin with lutetium-177 is expected to serve as a theranostic agent for deep-seated bacterial infections. The radiolabeling of benzylpenicillin resulted tilde 93% radiochemical yield at optimized reaction conditions. Radiochemical purity analysis was tested with the help of Whatman No. 2 paper and instant thin layer chromatography. Biodistribution study with healthy New Zeeland white rabbit revealed moderate accumulation in different organs. Kidneys are the major organs, showed not more than 4.57+/-0.89% injected dose per gram organ [ID/gm organ] at 1 h time point and 3.48+/-1.11% ID/gm organ at 6 h time point. The accumulation of tracer agent in liver was found in the range of 7.42+/-2.42% to 9.09+/-2.76 ID/gm organ. The glomerular filtration rate studies revealed rapid clearance - omitting the chance of nephrotoxicity. The radiolabeling yield, biodistribution and glomerular filtration rate results revealed [177]Lu-benzylpencillin could be a potential candidate to diagnose the deep-seated bacterial infection