Superoxide Anion Production by the Spermatozoa of Men with Varicocele: Relationship with Varicocele Grade and Semen Parameters

PURPOSE: To investigate the pathophysiological role of superoxide anion and total reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by the spermatozoa of men with varicocele and its relationship with varicocele grade and semen parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 34 men with grade II–III varicocele, regardless of their fertility status. The control group consisted of 13 healthy men. Semen characteristics were examined according to the 2010 World Health Organization criteria. The swim-up method was used for sperm preparation. Total ROS and superoxide anion production was assayed by luminol- and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL), respectively. RESULTS: The men with varicocele had significantly higher total ROS and superoxide anion levels than the healthy control subjects (2.9±0.4 relative light unit (RLU) vs. 2.4±0.1 RLU, p=0.001 for luminol-dependent CL and 2.8±0.4 RLU vs. 2.3±0.2 RLU, p=0.002 for lucigenin-dependent CL). Cases of grade III varicocele had significantly higher superoxide anion and total ROS levels than grade II cases and control subjects (p < 0.001). Superoxide anion and total ROS levels were negatively correlated with all semen parameters. CONCLUSIONS: The superoxide anion levels produced by spermatozoa were significantly higher in varicocele patients than in control subjects. ROS production was related to increased varicocele grade, impaired semen concentration, and abnormal morphology in men with varicocele. Our findings suggest that superoxide anion overproduction may be an important step in the cascade of ROS-related damage to spermatozoa, resulting in impaired semen parameters in patients with varicocele.

Are There Relationships between Seminal Parameters and the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio or the Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship of seminal parameters with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), which are inflammatory markers, in men with an abnormal semen analysis and men with normozoospermia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-seven men with abnormal semen analyses and 59 men with normozoospermia were included in this cross-sectional study. A complete blood count was recorded, and the NLR and PLR were calculated from the hematologic parameters. RESULTS: The NLR was 1.84±0.78 in the normozoospermic group and 1.80±0.75 in the abnormal semen analysis group. The PLR was 95.32±35.47 in the normozoospermic group and 93.57±28.09 in the abnormal semen analysis group. No significant differences were found between the normozoospermic and the abnormal semen analysis group in the NLR (p=0.828) or the PLR (p=0.768). In addition, no seminal parameters were correlated with the NLR or the PLR (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We do not recommend using the NLR or the PLR as markers to screen for abnormal semen parameters or male infertility.

Association between renal function, erectile function and coronary artery disease: Detection with coronary angiography

PURPOSE: Many patients admitted for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) have chronic renal insufficiency and erectile dysfunction (ED). This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between ED and the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) in patients with coronary artery disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied 183 patients undergoing coronary angiography owing to AMI. The GFR was calculated and the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) was used to evaluate ED. The relations between erectile function, GFR, and the number of occluded coronary arteries were evaluated. RESULTS: Of 183 patients with a mean age of 55.2+/-11.16 years who underwent coronary angiography owing to AMI, 100 (54.64%) had ED. The ED rate was 45.36% (44/97) in patients with single-vessel disease, 64.5% (31/48) in patients with two-vessel disease, and 65.7% (25/38) in patients with three-vessel disease. The ED rate in patients with single-vessel disease was significantly lower than in the other groups (p<0.001). The mean IIEF scores were 24.2+/-4.3, 20.4+/-4.9, and 20.5+/-4.2 in the three groups, respectively (p<0.001). Mean GFRs were similar in patients with single-vessel disease, two-vessel disease, and three-vessel disease (128.2+/-46.8, 130.8+/-70.9, and 110.8+/-44.6, respectively, p=0.171). The GFR was significantly lower in the presence of ED only for single-vessel disease (p=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed that the presence and severity of ED are linked to the number of occluded vessels as documented by coronary angiography. The presence of ED and reduced GFR are associated with single-vessel coronary artery disease. This relationship can be used to predict the likelihood of coronary artery disease.

Is Activating Transcription Factor 3 Up-Regulated in Patients with Hypospadias?

PURPOSE: Even though hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies, the cause of hypospadias is largely unknown. With regard to molecular biology and microarray technology, it appears that hypospadias is potentially related to disrupted gene expression. Genomic analysis of hypospadiac tissue indicated a potential role for activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) in the development of this anomaly. This study prospectively examined the expression of ATF3 in tissues from 20 children with hypospadias compared with 26 normal penile skin tissue samples from elective circumcision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prepucial tissue was obtained from children who underwent repair of hypospadias for comparison with tissue samples from children who underwent elective circumcision. Skin specimens were evaluated for the expression of ATF3 protein by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: Immunohistochemical staining for ATF3 in samples from children who underwent repair of hypospadias was significantly greater than in samples from children who underwent elective circumcision (80% vs. 11%, respectively; p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that ATF3 is up-regulated in the penile skin tissue of boys with hypospadias, which suggests a role for this transcription factor in the development of this abnormality.