63 research outputs found
Associations between biochemical components of human semen with seminal conditions
No full textThe aim of the study was to assess whether abnormal levels of seminal biochemical components could be associated with semen alterations and infertility. In this study, 92 human ejaculates from selected men were analyzed. Albumin, estradiol, ferritin, total proteins (TP), folic acid (FA), vitamin B12, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), creatine kinase (CK), gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT), lactate dehydrogenase were evaluated. Semen parameters and biochemical components of the 92 samples were correlated bySpearman’s rho coefficient. Albumin showed a negative correlation with sperm progressive motility and vitality (P < 0.05), CK with sperm concentration and vitality (P < 0.05), ferritin with sperm morphology (P < 0.05). FA negatively correlated with sperm concentration (P < 0.05) and GGT with sperm motility (P < 0.05). The values of biochemical components were compared for each semen parameters (concentration, motility, morphology, vitality) in samples ≤5th percentile with those >5th percentile and in patients with/without leukocytospermia, presence/absence of germ cells, increased/normal viscosity by Mann Whitney U test. The albumin (P < 0.001) and TP (P < 0.05) levels and the GGT activity (P < 0.001) were significantly higher in patients with sperm motility ≤5th percentile. Patients with sperm vitality ≤5th percentile showed increased albumin concentration (P < 0.01) and the CK activity (P < 0.001). The presence of germ cells in semen was concomitant with high values of ferritin (P < 0.01); the ALP activity (P < 0.01) and FA level (P < 0.001) were decreased in hyperviscous semen. The FA and estradiol levels were significantly decreased in the smoker group compared to those measured in the non-smoker group. Subjects were grouped in infertile patients and men with unknown reproductive potential. Infertile patients albumin and ferritin were significantly increased (P < 0.05). This study suggests that some biochemical components may be associated with human seminal pathological conditions. Abbreviations: ALP: alkaline phosphatase; LDH: lactate dehydrogenase; GGT: γ-glutamyl transferase; CK: creatine kinase; ACP: acid phosphatase; ALB: albumin; TP: total proteins; FERR: ferritin, E: estradiol; FOL: folic acid; B12: vitamin B12; FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; LH: luteinizing hormone; T: testosterone; BMI: body mass index; WHO: World Health Organization
Cytosolic phospholipase A2 and F2 isoprostanes are involved in semen quality and human infertility-A study on leucocytospermia, varicocele and idiopathic infertility
No full textPhospholipase A2 (PLA2 ) is involved in eicosanoid release, and F2 -isoprostanes (F2 -IsoPs), as free radical-generated eicosanoids released by PLA2 , are indicators of oxidative stress in different human conditions. This study investigated the interplay between cytosolic PLA2 (cPLA2 ), F2 -IsoPs and sperm features in male infertility, when the involvement of oxidative stress has been reported. Semen evaluation was performed following WHO guidelines, sperm ultrastructure was detected by transmission electron microscopy indicating a fertility index, and the percentages of sperm immaturity, apoptosis and necrosis. In sperm cells and seminal plasma, cPLA2 levels were determined by immunological method, whereas F2 -IsoPs by mass spectrometry. Sperm concentration, morphology, vitality and fertility index values were significantly lower in infertile groups compared with fertile men. An increase in sperm apoptosis and necrosis (p < .01), apoptosis (p < .01) and immaturity (p < .001) was detected in leucocytospermia, idiopathic infertility and varicocele, respectively. Seminal cPLA2 showed the highest value in varicocele group (p < .05), whereas seminal F2 -IsoPs increased in varicocele (p < .001) and leucocytospermia (p < .05) groups. In the whole population, F2 -IsoP and cPLA2 levels were positively correlated (p < .05). On the contrary, F2 -IsoPs and cPLA2 were not significantly different when investigated in sperm cells. Our data indicate that fatty acid oxidation/metabolism plays a role in different male reproductive pathological conditions
Nitric oxide, malondialdheyde and non-enzymatic antioxidants assessed in viable spermatozoa from selected infertile men
No full textThere are growing evidences that the semen of infertile male population shows higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels concomitant with lower antioxidant capacity compared to those detected in semen of fertile population. The plasma membrane of the sperm cell, which has high levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, renders it particularly sensitive to ROS. The aim of this study was to compare the sperm parameters (concentration, motility, morphology and vitality) and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), as marker of lipid peroxidation (LPO), nitric oxide (NO), ascorbic acid (AA), total (GSHt) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in viable sperm in a group of 38 infertile patients and in a group of 55 control subjects with unknown reproductive potential. The comparison between variables in infertile patients and controls revealed that the sperm quality was reduced in the infertile group, whereas the levels of NO, AA and GSH were significantly increased in viable spermatozoa from infertile men; however, the endogenous levels of MDA were similar in infertile and control groups. Based on our results, we could speculate that the rise of GSHt and AA levels in viable sperm of infertile group help partially to counteract the damaging effect of ROS and partly prevent a substantial LPO. The observation of the concomitant increase of NO and antioxidant indices in viable spermatozoa of infertile subjects is a novel finding and we think that these results can be useful since the viable sperm population is conceivably used in assisted reproductive technology
Agglomeration Behavior and Fate of Food-Grade Titanium Dioxide in Human Gastrointestinal Digestion and in the Lysosomal Environment
No full textIn the present study, we addressed the knowledge gaps regarding the agglomeration behavior and fate of food-grade titanium dioxide (E 171) in human gastrointestinal digestion (GID). After thorough multi-technique physicochemical characterization including TEM, single-particle ICP-MS (spICP-MS), CLS, VSSA determination and ELS, the GI fate of E 171 was studied by applying the in vitro GID approach established for the regulatory risk assessment of nanomaterials in Europe, using a standardized international protocol. GI fate was investigated in fasted conditions, relevant to E 171 use in food supplements and medicines, and in fed conditions, with both a model food and E 171-containing food samples. TiO2 constituent particles were resistant to GI dissolution, and thus, their stability in lysosomal fluid was investigated. The biopersistence of the material in lysosomal fluid highlighted its potential for bioaccumulation. For characterizing the agglomeration degree in the small intestinal phase, spICP-MS represented an ideal analytical tool to overcome the limitations of earlier studies. We demonstrated that, after simulated GID, in the small intestine, E 171 (at concentrations reflecting human exposure) is present with a dispersion degree similar to that obtained when dispersing the material in water by means of high-energy sonication (i.e., >70% of particles <250 nm)
Quercetin and rutin: effects of two flavonoids on induced oxidative stress in human ejaculated sperm
No full textQuercetin (Q) and rutin (R) are two natural flavonoids with antioxidant properties. We evaluated the toxicity of
Q and R at 20μM, 30μM, 50μM, 100μM, 200μM, 400μM in swim up selected human sperm. The antioxidant activity (Q and
R 20μM and 30μM) was tested on lipid peroxidation (LPO) induced by tert-butylhydroperoxide in human sperm. LPO was
evaluated using the C11-BODIPY581/591 probe and sperm structural damages were assessed by transmission electron microscopy
in samples incubated with and without Q and R. A significant dose dependent toxic effect was observed for both
compounds on sperm viability (Q and R: r= -0.98 P<0.001), on sperm progressive motility (Q: r=-0.98, R: r=-0.97; P<0.001),
and on non progressive motility (Q; r=-0.58, P<0.01; R: r=-0.50, P<0.05). Both flavonoids, used at 20μM and 30μM, showed
antioxidant properties on LPO induced in human sperm and a general protective effect against ultrastructural damages of
LPO. In conclusion, we observed that Q exhibited a little higher toxicity than R; on the other hand R is little low protective
on induced LPO. Our preliminary results demonstrated the scavenger properties of these flavonoids in vitro on human sperm.
Keywords: human sperm, lipid peroxidation, quercetin, rutin, TE
Grading abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture risk
No full textBACKGROU ND: The aim of this paper was to develop a scoring system to grade the risk of rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA ) in individual patients. METHODS: Computed tomography angiography of an AAA were coupled with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) evaluation performed using open source software (ElmerSolver, Institute of Technology, Espoo, Finland). CFD criteria studied were: Oscillatory Shear Index (OSI ), time averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS ) and residence relative time (RR T) on both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) models. AAA rupture predictors were analyzed and a scoring system was generated using Arabic numerals for all significant variables in order to grade the individual patient risk of rupture. RESUL TS: There were 143 patients examined. Ninety-one AAA s (18 ruptured AAA s), and 52 had a non-aneurysmal aorta. The 2D OSI was the best CFD criterion following multivariate analysis and RO C curves evaluation. An AAA was deemed respectively at low, moderate, or high risk of rupture, according to whether the risk score was defined as AAA I (total score 6.5). The only protective factor was found in diabetes (OR =0.775; CI: 0.665-0.902). CONCLUSIO NS: The Florence Risk Score for AAA rupture based on this report may be a useful tool to predict AAA rupture. A prospective multicenter registry will need to confirm its validity
In vitro effect of gold and silver nanoparticles on human spermatozoa
No full textThe cytotoxicity of Au/Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on human spermatozoa was investigated in vitro. Semen from donors were incubated (37 °C, 60′–120′) with 30, 60, 125, 250 and 500 lM Au/Ag-NPs. Sperm motility was evaluated following WHO guidelines; sperm viability was assessed with eosin Y test. Au-NPs were characterised and localised with field emission gun-based scanning transmission electron microscope/energy dispersive spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Both tested NPs exerted a significant dose-dependent effect on motility and viability of human spermatozoa (P < 0.001). Ag-NPs seem to show a slightly elevated toxicity although not significant (P > 0.05). Au-NPs were localised in spermatozoa, whereas Ag-NPs were undetectable. In conclusion, Au-NPs and Ag-NPs do not appear to be harmful for human spermatozoa up to high concentrations (250–500 lM) that are probably difficult to reach in vivo. It is mandatory to explore the genotoxic effect of NPs in germ cells
Effect of quercetin, rutin, naringenin and epicatechin on lipid peroxidation induced in human sperm
No full textQuercetin, rutin, naringenin, epicatechin are flavonoids with diverse properties, including antioxidant potential. We evaluated, in vitro, the cytotoxicity of these flavonoids (20, 30, 50, 100, 200, 400μM) in swim-up selected human sperm. Antioxidant activity was tested against tert-butylhydroperoxide induced lipid peroxidation using a C11-BODIPY581/591 probe and transmission electron microscopy. A significant concentration-dependent effect on sperm viability (P<0.001) and motility (P<0.001) was observed. Lipid peroxidation was decreased in samples treated with 30μM quercetin (P<0.01) and 30μM rutin (P<0.05) versus samples incubated with tert-butylhydroperoxide alone. Naringenin (50-100μM) showed a low protective effect and epicatechin (200μM) was not efficacious. Transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the protective action of rutin and in particular quercetin on damages induced by lipid peroxidation. These results underlined the antioxidant properties of quercetin and rutin. A possible role of these compounds in the supplementation of media used during semen handling warrants attention and further studies. © 2012 Elsevier Inc
Assessment of Ultra-Processed Foods consumption and its impact on health: validation of a Food-Frequency Questionnaire and cross-sectional survey among Italian working adults - Study protocol
No full textIn recent years, a new way of thinking about food classification has emerged, no longer based on nutritional content but on processing. A clear example is NOVA classification, developed by Monteiro et al. in 2009, which divides foods into four categories. The fourth group, ultra-processed foods (UPFs), has attracted significant interest, so much so that increasing evidence suggests a potential association between high UPFs consumption and the development of Noncommunicable chronic diseases, overweight and obesity. However, the various limitations identified within the NOVA classification and in currently available studies have led to the recognition that further research is needed. Starting from a critical reassessment of the NOVA classification, this project aims to validate a Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) specifically designed to estimate the consumption of UPFs, as well as the daily intake of macro- and micronutrients in the total diet, and, in a second phase, to assess its impact on health in a sample of Italian workers.
This study will involve a minimum of 436 healthy males and females aged ≥18 years, resident in Italy and with Italian citizenship. Enrolment will be carried out nationwide in selected workplaces. Participants’ membership will be voluntary, subject to a written informed consent, and disseminated using the organisations’ mailing list. Based on previously validated tools, the online self-administered FFQ will consider the differences between packaged, homemade and artisanal products, reflecting dietary habits of Italians. For each item, the frequency
of consumption and the serving size, using household units and images illustrating dishes in different portion sizes, will be indicated. To assess the tool's temporal stability, it will be administered on two separate occasions, at an interval of 3 to 10 months, and the data obtained will be compared. Additionally, participants will be asked to complete a 7-day weighed dietary record in the week following each administration to validate the FFQ. Data on demographic factors, socio-economic status and health status will also be collected and analysed.
The results will provide a new valid tool focused on food processing, potentially useful for future studies
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