effect of cigarette smoking on human sperm creatine kinase activity: as an ATP buffering system in sperm

Spermatozoa are a group of cells that consume adenosine triphosphate [ATP] rapidly. Creatine kinase [CK], produced by creatine phosphate, is an energy reservoir for the rapid buffering and regeneration of ATP and can play an important role in sperm motility. Therefore, this study investigates the effects of cigarette smoking on human sperm CK activity in males who smoke. In this case - control study, we obtained semen samples from male smokers [n=64] and nonsmokers [n=83]. Smokers were categorized as light, moderate, or heavy smokers according to the daily number of cigarettes smoked and the number of years they have smoked. Data were analyzed by the independent t test and Pearson's analysis. This investigation showed significantly lower sperm CK activity and movement in male smokers compared to nonsmokers. In addition, it was demonstrated that cigarette smoking had a dose-dependent effect on these parameters. There was a positive relation, although not significant, between sperm CK activity and its motility in male smokers. Smoking, by diminishing sperm CK activity, may potentially impair sperm energy homeostasis and have an association with damage to sperm motility. This effect can be an important mechanism that may cause infertility in male smokers. However, further research is necessary to elucidate the underlying mechanism of sperm motility damage caused by cigarette smoking

Lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide levels in male smokers' spermatozoa and their relation with sperm motility

Nitric oxide [NO] is synthesized from L-arginine by a family of en-zymes known as nitric oxide synthases. Low concentrations of NO is essential in biology and physiology of spermatozoa, but high amounts of NO is toxic and has negative effects on sperm functions. Moreover, sperm membrane contains high con-centrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are highly susceptible to oxidative damage that interferes with fertilization ability. Therefore, we investigated the cor-relation between levels of sperm malondialdehyde [MDA] and NO with sperm mo-tility in male smokers. Semen samples were collected from normozoospermic smoker [n=64] and nonsmoker [n=83] men. The content of sperm lipid peroxidation was determined by measuring malondialdehyde [MDA]. The sperm NO were also measured using Griess reagent. Data was analyzed by SPSS, [version 15.0], using independent t-test and Pearson analysis. The mean MDA and NO concentrations in the sperm of normozoospermic male smokers were significantly higher than the control group or normozoospermic nonsmokers, [p<0.001]. A significant negative relationship was noted between sperm motility and sperm MDA levels [r=?0.32, p=0.01]; and sperm motility and sperm NO concentration [for nitrite, r=?0.34, p=0.006 and for nitrate, r=?0.38, p=0.002]. It was concluded that the increase in MDA and NO production in sperm can influence sperm motility in normozoospermic smokers. Therefore, it seems that cigarette smoking may affect the fertility of male smokers via increasing the amount of sperm MDA/lipid peroxidation and NO concentrations

[Evaluation of serum nitrite, nitrate and malondialdehyde concentrations in preeclampsia]

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy that is associated with high blood pressure with an unknown etiology. There is much evidence that altered endothelial cell functions may play an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aims of this study were to determine serum levels of nitrite, nitrate and malondialdehyde [MDA] in pregnant women with and without preeclampsia. This observational-analytical study was performed in the third trimester of pregnancy on 35 pregnant primiparas with preeclampsia and 35 women with normal blood pressure. The women were recruited for the study among the mothers attending Andimeshk Urban Health Centers during March 2008 to March 2009. Aside from the demographic data, the gestational age and blood pressure were recorded too at the time of blood sampling. Serum levels of nitrite and nitrate were measured by Griess and MDA by thiobarbituric acid reactions. The data were statistically analyzed and compared between the two groups. Serum levels of nitrite, nitrate and MDA, respectively were 12.6 +/- 3.8, 23.8 +/- 8.6 and 9.7 +/- 2.8 micro mol/l in women with preeclampsia and 8.7 +/- 2.5 [p<0.001], 16.4 +/- 5.4 [p<0.01] and 6.34 +/- 1.6 micro mol/l [p<0.001] in the controls. The results depicted significantly higher serum concentrations of the three analyses in pregnant women with preeclampsia relative to the controls. Significantly higher serum concentrations of nitrite, nitrate and MDA in pregnant women with preeclampsia are suggestive of the role of these substances in the pathogenesis of the disease. Use of the three parameters may be useful in the early screening of preeclampsia