ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The present study aimed to evaluate the hypoxic damage in the contralateral testis after unilateral testicular torsion in a rat model, using hemodynamic change, the expression of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha(HIF-1alpha) and apoptosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five male albino Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 7 groups: 0 and 6 hours after sham operations, 6, 12 and 24 hours, and 3 and 7 days after the unilateral testicular torsion. Torsion was created by rotating the left testis 720 degrees, in a clockwise direction, which was maintained by fixing the testis to the scrotum with a silk suture. The testicular blood flow of the contralateral testis was measured by laser flowmetry, both before and after the testicular torsion. After bilateral orchiectomies had been performed in each group, the expressions of HIF-1alpha and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as apoptosis were determined by immunohistochemical staining and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: The blood flow of the contralateral testis after the unilateral testicular torsion significantly decreased compared with that of the sham group (p<0.05). In the immunohistochemical staining, the expression of HIF-1alpha protein increased in the testicular torsion group compared to that of the sham group, and was markedly apparent 12 hours after the testicular torsion. The apoptotic cell index was also significantly higher in the testicular torsion group than in the sham group (p<0.05). In the Western blot study, the HIF-1alpha and VEGF expressions were increased in the testicular torsion group compared to those in the sham group 6 hours after the testicular torsion. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the decreased testicular blood flow of the contralateral testis during ipsilateral testicular torsion induces HIF-1alpha, resulting in apoptosis of germ cells.
Subject(s)
Animals , Humans , Male , Rats , Hypoxia , Apoptosis , Blotting, Western , Germ Cells , Hemodynamics , Models, Animal , Orchiectomy , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Regional Blood Flow , Rheology , Scrotum , Silk , Spermatic Cord Torsion , Sutures , Testis , Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor AABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Statin (HMG-coA-reductase inhibitor) has been known to protect vessels from atherothrombosis through various mechanisms. In this study, we evaluated the effects of statin on reducing the platelet expressions of CD63 and CD40 ligand (CD40L) in subjects with atherosclerotic ischemic stroke. METHODS: Twenty-one patients (17 men, 4 women; mean age 59.0 +/- 10.2 years) with atherosclerotic ischemic stroke were recruited. They took simvastatin 20 mg per day for 90 days and discontinued for another 90 days. We studied the changes of platelet expressions of CD63 and CD40L in all the patients after the use and discontinuance of simvastatin using whole blood flow cytometry. RESULTS: After taking simvastatin 20mg for 90 days, the serum concentrations of LDL cholesterol decreased significantly (96.4 +/- 31.4 mg/dL, p<0.001) compared with those at the baseline (158.8 +/- 25.0 mg/dL). The platelet CD63 and C40L expressions were also significantly reduced by treatment of simvastatin 20 mg for 12 weeks (p<0.05). However, the effects of statin on CD63 and CD40L expressions disappeared after 12 weeks of cessation. Furthermore, changes of expressions of CD63 and CD40L by statin did not correlate with its cholesterol lowering effect (r=-0.311, p=0.386). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the use of statin may be a helpful strategy to regulate the platelet activation in patients with atherosclerotic ischemic stroke.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Blood Platelets , CD40 Ligand , Cholesterol , Cholesterol, LDL , Flow Cytometry , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors , Hyperlipidemias , Inflammation , Platelet Activation , Simvastatin , StrokeABSTRACT
<p><b>AIM</b>To study the effect of rebamipide added to semen samples and cryoprotectant on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Semen samples from 30 fertile and healthy volunteers were collected by masturbation after 2 days approximately 3 days of abstinence. After liquefaction, the specimens were diluted with sperm wash media to a uniform density of 20 x 10(6)/mL. Rebamipide was added to semen samples and cryoprotectant to a final concentration of 10 micromol/L, 30 micromol/L, 100 micromol/L or 300 micromol/L. Specimens were incubated at 37 degree C in a 0.5 % CO(2) incubator for 1 h or cryopreserved at -196 degree C LN(2) for 3 days. The sperm motility and viability and the levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation of sperm membrance were assessed before and after incubation and cryopreservation by means of computer assisted semen analyzer, eosin-nigrosin stain, chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid assay, respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The sperm motility was significantly increased after incubation with 100 micromol/L and 300 micromol/L rebamipide (P<0.05). After cryopreservation, the sperm motility was significantly decreased in all concentrations (P<0.05), but the decrease was less with 100 micromol/L and 300 micromol/L rebamipide than that with other concentrations. The sperm viability showed no significant difference before and after incubation (P>0.05). The levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation in semen were significantly decreased in proportion to the concentrations of rebamipide both after incubation and cryopreservation (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rebamipide is an effective free radical scavenger in semen in vitro.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Alanine , Pharmacology , Antioxidants , Pharmacology , Cell Membrane , Chemistry , Cell Survival , Cryopreservation , Free Radical Scavengers , Pharmacology , In Vitro Techniques , Lipid Peroxidation , Malondialdehyde , Peroxidases , Metabolism , Quinolones , Pharmacology , Reactive Oxygen Species , Semen Preservation , Sperm Motility , Spermatozoa , ChemistryABSTRACT
PURPOSE: In the 1970s, male sterilization (vasectomy) has been performed on a large scale as an accepted method of family planning in Korea. Since then, especially during last decade, there has been an increase in the number of patients requesting vasovasostomy after a long term interval following a vasectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 153 cases of vasovasostomy performed, 10 years or more after a vasectomy, at the Pusan National University Hospital between March 1983 and March 2002. Clinical data were collected through telephone interviews and a survey of medical records. RESULTS: The ages at the time of reversal ranged from 30 to 57, with an average of 41.6 years. The obstructive intervals ranged from 10 to 24, with an average of 17.0 years. To the cases were divided into 3 the obstructive intervals; 10 to 14, 15 to 19 and 20 to 24 years, with 130 (85.0%), 15 (9.8%) and 8 cases (5.2%), respectively. The overall patency and pregnancy rates were 81.6 and 36.0%, respectively. There were no significant differences according to the methods of vasovasostomy, suture materials, ooze from the proximal vasal end, the presence of sperm granuloma, the levels of anastomosis or the age of patients, with the exception of the ages of the partners in the patency and pregnancy rates for the patients with vasovasostomy 10 years or more after vasectomy. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the pregnancy rates after vasovasostomies, following at least a 10 years long term obstruction, are very low, despite the desirable patency rates. Therefore, it is important that we should apply the assisted reproductive technology, as well as advanced surgical skills, to improve the pregnancy rates.
Subject(s)
Humans , Family Planning Services , Granuloma , Interviews as Topic , Korea , Medical Records , Pregnancy Rate , Reproductive Techniques, Assisted , Spermatozoa , Sterilization, Reproductive , Sutures , Vasectomy , VasovasostomyABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We performed this study to investigate the effects of adding rebamipide to cryoprotectant, to identify the improvement in sperm parameters by antioxidative action. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen samples from 30 normal healthy volunteers were collected. Rebapimide was added with various concentration in cryoprotectant. All specimens were cryopreservated for 3 days and thawed at room temperature. Sperm motility, vitality, fertile activity, levels of ROS and lipid peroxidation were analyzed by semen analysis, eosin-nigrosin stain, hypo-osmotic swelling test, chemiluminescence and thiobarbituric acid method, respectively, before and after cryopreservation and thawing. RESULTS: After cryopreservation and thawing, the sperm motility was significantly decreased in all concentrations, but motility was higher in proportion to concentration of rebapimide (p0.05). The levels of seminal ROS and the lipid peroxidation were significantly decreased in proportion to the concentration of rebamipide after cryopreservation and thawing (p<0.05), but the total swelling rate in hypo-osmotic swelling test was significantly increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that rebamipide is an effective free radical scavenger to protect sperm from oxidative cellualr damage during cryopreservation and thawing.
Subject(s)
Male , Cryopreservation , Healthy Volunteers , Infertility, Male , Lipid Peroxidation , Luminescence , Reactive Oxygen Species , Semen , Semen Analysis , Sperm Motility , SpermatozoaABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We evaluated the changes in quality of life after administering an oral testosterone supplement to men with testosterone deficiencies. MATERIALS and METHODS: The changes of subjective symptoms were estimated in 39 cases (33 cases in the experimental group and 6 cases in the placebo group) of testosterone definiency,in men who were treated with oral testosterone undecanoate (Andriol(R)) or a placebo by the single blind method from March 2001 to January 2002. The 80mg dose of oral testosterone was administered twice daily in a period of three months. Digital rectal examinations and laboratory tests including serum testosterone, PSA, cholesterol, AST and ALT were conducted on pretreatment and during the 1st and 3rd months after treatment. The changes in quality of life were evaluated on pretreatment and monthly after treatment by the PNUH QOL Scoring System, which consisted of 21 question sinquiring about the following 7 functions: metabolic, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, gastroinestinal, neurologic and psychiatric and sexual. The Saint Louis University Questionnaire was used simultaneously to evaluate the changes in quality of life. RESULTS: The 39 cases showed a 19~64 years old age distribution (mean 45.9 years old). Underlying causes of testosterone deficiency were primary hypogonadism and andropause in 10 and 29 cases, respectively. During the follow-up period, the drop-out after treatment in the experimental group was 4 cases due to low compliance or personal reasons. Serum testosterone was significantly increased in the each month of posttreatment compared to pretreatment levels only in the experimental group (p<0.05). No abnormal finding was detected on digital rectal examination or in serum PSA, cholesterol, AST and ALT levels in either guoup. Sexual dysfunction was the most common problem prior to treatment, followed by metabolic, psychatric, musculoskeletal, neurologic, gastrointestinal and cardiopulmonary dysfunction, in order. After treatment, sexual dysfunction showed the most improvement in symptom score followed by cardiopulmonary, metabolic, cardiopulmonary, musculoskeletal, and gastrointestinal functions showed significantly more improved symptom scores in the experimental group than in the control group. The positive rate of Saint Louis University Questionnaire significantly decreased in the posttreatment compared to pretreatment levels only in the experimental group (p<0.05). The complications were nonspecific symptoms such as gastrointestinal problems and fatigue in 3 cases, and acne, urticatria and joint pain in 1 case of the experimental group. But, they were self-limited and did not cause drop-out. CONCLUSIONS: Androgen supplement therapy with oral testosterone undecanoate (Andriol(R)) enhanced the quality of life through the improvement of general body functions including physical functions and mental functions in men with testosterone deficiencies.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Acne Vulgaris , Age Distribution , Aging , Andropause , Arthralgia , Cholesterol , Compliance , Digital Rectal Examination , Fatigue , Follow-Up Studies , Hypogonadism , Quality of Life , Surveys and Questionnaires , Saints , Single-Blind Method , TestosteroneABSTRACT
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic injection therapy improves the outcome in bleeding peptic ulcer, but the optimum regimen is unknown. Although endoscopic injection therapy is effective in controlling initial hemorrhage from a peptic ulcer, between 10% to 30% of patients suffer rebleeding. The aim of this study was to evaluate the initial and ultimate success rate of hemostasis, the rebleeding rate, hospital stay (days), and the emergency operation rate in patients who had undergone endoscopic ethanol injection for bleeding peptic ulcer. METHODS: Thirty nine patients presented with active bleeding (spurting), visible vessels, or blood clots on endoscopic findings were given an endoscopic ethanol injection with a total of 1.0-3.0 ml of ethanol. The initial and ultimate success rate of hemostasis, rebleeding rate, and emergency operation rate after the endoscopic injection was evaluated. RESULTS: 1) The initial success of hemostasis was 38/39 (97.4%). 2) The rebleeding rate after ethanol injection was 8/39 (20.5%). 3) The success rate of the second trial of ethanol injection was 3/8 (37.8%). 4) Emergency operations were conducted in5/39 (12.8%). 5) The ultimate success rate of hemostasis was 34/39 (87.2%). 6) There were no mortalities [0/39 (0%)] related to the ethanol injections and bleeding peptic ulcers. 7) There were no complications [0/39 (0%)] related to the ethanol injections. 8) The mean duration of hospitalization was 9.5 4.5 days. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic ethanol injection in the treatment of bleeding peptic ulcers was as effective and safe as any other injection or mechanical hemostatic method. Further prospective studies or endoscopic trials for hemostasis are needed to reduce the rebleeding rate and emergency operation rate of bleeding peptic ulcer.
Subject(s)
Humans , Emergencies , Ethanol , Hemorrhage , Hemostasis , Hospitalization , Length of Stay , Mortality , Peptic Ulcer , PrognosisABSTRACT
No abstract available.
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Growth Hormone , Levodopa , Polycystic Ovary Syndrome , Pyridostigmine BromideABSTRACT
No abstract available.