Glutathione S-transferase genetic polymorphisms and fluoride-induced reproductive toxicity in men with idiopathic infertility / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Male infertility caused by idiopathic oligoasthenospermia (OAT) is known as idiopathic male infertility. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and fluoride may play important roles in idiopathic male infertility, but their effects are still unknown. Our study examined the relationship between GST polymorphisms and fluoride-induced toxicity in idiopathic male infertility and determined the underlying mechanism. Sperm, blood, and urine samples were collected from 560 males. Fluoride levels were measured by a highly selective electrode method, and GST genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Semen parameters, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers were statistically assessed at the P < 0.05 level. Compared with healthy fertile group, semen parameters, fluoride levels, OS biomarkers, sex hormone levels, and MMP and DFI levels were lower in the idiopathic male infertility group. For glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1[-]) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1[-]) or glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) mutant genotypes, levels of semen fluoride, OS, MMP, and DFI were considerably higher, and the mean levels of sperm parameters and testosterone were statistically significant in GSTM1(+), GSTT1(+), and GSTP1 wild-type genotypes. Both semen and blood fluoride levels were associated with oxidative stress in idiopathic male infertility patients. Elevated fluoride in semen with the genotypes listed above was linked to reproductive quality in idiopathic male infertility patients. In conclusion, GST polymorphisms and fluorine may have an indicative relationship between reproductive quality and sex hormone levels, and OS participates in the development of idiopathic male infertility.

Effects of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 on semen parameters and sex-related hormone levels in men: a systematic review and meta-analysis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has yet to be proven to alter male reproductive function, particularly in the majority of mild/asymptomatic patients. The purpose of this study was to explore whether mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 affects semen quality and sex-related hormone levels. To find suitable comparative studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis was done up to January 22, 2022, by using multiple databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to identify and choose the studies. Meta-analysis was used to examine the semen parameters and sex-related hormones of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 patients before and after infection. The effects of semen collection time, fever, and intensity of verification on semen following infection were also investigated. A total of 13 studies (n = 770) were included in the analysis, including three case-control studies, six pre-post studies, and four single-arm studies. A meta-analysis of five pre-post studies showed that after infection with COVID-19, sperm concentration (I2 = 0; P = 0.003), total sperm count (I2 = 46.3%; P = 0.043), progressive motility (I2 = 50.0%; P < 0.001), total sperm motility (I2 = 76.1%; P = 0.047), and normal sperm morphology (I2 = 0; P = 0.001) decreased. Simultaneously, a systematic review of 13 studies found a significant relationship between semen collection time after infection, inflammation severity, and semen parameter values, with fever having only bearing on semen concentration. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in sex-related hormone levels before and after infection in mild/asymptomatic patients. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 infection had a significant effect on semen quality in the short term. It is recommended to avoid initiating a pregnancy during this period of time.

Potential Mechanism of Houttuyniae Herba Against Prostate Cancer： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

According to the 2020 world cancer data report， the prevalence of prostate cancer ranks second in male malignant tumors and the mortality fifth. In China， due to the poor living and eating habits， the prevalence of prostate cancer is still rising， and advanced prostate cancer can adapt to and tolerate androgen castration related drugs through a variety of mechanisms， which often indicates poor therapeutic outcomes in the late stage. Houttuyniae Herba， a medicinal plant of family Saururaceae， has been officially identified both as food and medicine by the National Health Commission. The existing studies have shown that Houttuyniae Herba inhibits the proliferation， migration， and invasion of prostate cancer and induces its apoptosis and cell cycle arrest via multiple targets， links， and pathways. These anti-tumor activities can also be observed in breast cancer， leukemia， gastric cancer， colorectal cancer， and other tumor cells. Such activities are mainly related to the inhibited expression of cyclin and cyclin-dependent kinase， regulation of apoptosis-related proteins， activation of apoptosis-related pathways， reduced secretion of matrix metalloproteinase， inhibition of activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）/Zinc finger protein （Snail） / transcription factor twist signaling pathway， and antagonization of growth factor receptor， androgen， inflammation， and oxidative stress in promoting the occurrence and development of prostate cancer. In addition， Houttuyniae Herba is able to alleviate diabetes， regulate blood glucose-lowering pathways， and boost immunity by inhibiting the protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR） and mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） signaling pathways， thus suppressing the occurrence and progression of prostatic cancer. In conclusion，Houttuyniae Herba can be used as a potential drug against prostate cancer.

Glutathione S-transferase polymorphisms and male infertility / 中华男科学杂志

The pathogenesis of male infertility involves the interactions between environmental and genetic factors. An individual's susceptibility to male infertility is influenced by his internal abilities of metabolizing and detoxicating endogenous and exogenous chemicals. Glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), such as enzymes, are involved in the cellular detoxication of various physiological and xenobiotic substances. Studies show that the polymorphism of the GSTs gene is correlated with male infertility. GSTs polymorphism-related susceptibilities to male infertility were found similar but with some inconsistencies within the same community, and inconsistent with some similarities among different communities. Therefore, further studies are to be done on the differences in GSTs polymorphism-related susceptibility to male infertility in different communities.

Tamoxifen combined with coenzyme Q10 for idiopathic oligoasthenospermia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of tamoxifen (TMX) combined with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) on idiopathic oligoasthenospermia.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 183 patients with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia were randomly divided into a TMX + CoQ10 group (n = 63), a TMX group (n = 61) and a CoQ10 group (n = 59). At the end of 3 and 6 months of treatment, semen analyses and hormone tests were performed, and the results were compared with those obtained before the treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the pre-treatment results, the levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone (T) and sperm concentration were significantly elevated in the TMX + CoQ10 and TMX groups (P < 0.05), but showed no significant difference in the CoQ10 group (P > 0.05); sperm motility and morphologically normal sperm were increased significantly in the TMX + CoQ10 and CoQ10 groups (P < 0.05), and slightly in the TMX group but with no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tamoxifen combined with CoQ10 can significantly improve sperm concentration, motility and morphology in patients with idiopathic oligoasthenospermia.</p>

Genetic polymorphism of glutathione S-transferase T1 gene and susceptibility to idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in northwestern China / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the association of glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1) gene polymorphism in patients with idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in the northwestern China population.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In the case-control study, GSTT1 genotypes were identified by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with peripheral blood DNA samples from 78 patients with idiopathic azoospermia, 103 patients with idiopathic oligospermia and 156 age-matched controls with normal sperm concentration and motility, according to the criteria adapted from World Health Organization guidelines. All of the patients and controls were from northwestern China.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There is a significant association between GSTT1 null genotype with idiopathic azoospermia risk (odds ratio [OR]: 2.36, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33-4.20, P=0.003) or idiopathic oligospermia risk (OR: 2.00, 95% CI: 1.17-3.27, P=0.010).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GSTT1 null genotype is a predisposing risk factor for sporadic idiopathic azoospermia or oligospermia in northwestern China.</p>