ABSTRACT
Hypertension has been reported as a possible sequela of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. The aim was to determine, in a clinical trial, the effect of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL] on blood pressure This study included 216 patients, aged [12-65] years, with asymptomatic renal stones that underwent ESWL in lithotripter unit/ Azadi teaching hospital -Kirkuk Province. Blood pressure was recorded randomly using a standardized protocol. Patients undergoing ESWL received a mean [+/- SD] of 3608.8 [+/- 475.9] shocks over a mean [6.81] of sessions on one lithotripter. Patients were then followed-up by assessing their blood pressure. Data were analyzed on an intention to treatment basis. At randomization [13.42]% of the study group were hypertensive. Of [320] patients referred to the study, [258] were recruited based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of [216] patients [83% of patients included] completed follow up, [137] [63.42%] were male and [79] [36.57%] were female. The mean follow-up period was [15.03] months. In the present study there was no association between mean diastolic and systolic blood pressure before and after ESWL. In the present study there was no evidence that ESWL causes changes in BP. More randomized control trials are needed to demonstrate the relationship between ESWL and hypertension
ABSTRACT
Male Infertility is often caused by problems with sperm production or motility. Zinc in human semen seems to play an important role in the physiology of spermatozoa This study was designed to demonstrate the relationships between concentrations of zinc and testosterone in serum and seminal plasma and sperm quality among infertile men. One hundred four infertile males, aged [19-44] years, were selected from Infertile Clinic-Azadi Teaching Hospital- Kirkuk Province. Forty known fertile males were selected as normospermic control group. Semen samples were analyzed according to WHO criteria. Serum and seminal plasma zinc concentrations were estimated by atomic absorption technique. Serum testosterone was measured by MiniVIDAS apparatus. The mean value of serum testosterone was significantly lower in infertile males [4.87 +/- 0.15 ng/ml] as compared to control group [6.41 +/- 0.16 ng/ml]; [P< 0.01], significant correlations were observed between serum testosterone with seminal plasma zinc level in oligospermic subjects [r=0.44] and with serum zinc level in azoospermic subjects [r=0.37], [P< 0.01]; [P< 0.05] respectively. Serum and seminal plasma zinc levels were lower in infertile men [7.75 +/- 0.18 micromol/L]; [0.83 +/- 0.02 mmol/L] when compared with normospermic control group [14.09 +/- 0.27 Mmol/L]; [1.41 +/- 0.01 mmol/L] respectively [p<0.01], Zinc may contribute to fertility through its positive effect on spermatogenesis. Also there was significant decrease in serum and seminal plasma zinc levels in oligospermic and azoospermic infertile males with significantly low androgen. It indicates that the zinc may have a role for steroidogenesis