TRH: Pathophysiologic and clinical implications

Thyrotropin releasing hormone is thought to be a tonic stimulator of the pituitary TSH secretion regulating the setpoint of the thyrotrophs to the suppressive effect of thyroid hormones. The peptide stimulates the release of normal and elevated prolactin. ACTH and GH may increase in response to exogenous TRH in pituitary ACTH and GH hypersecretion syndromes and in some extrapituitary diseases. The pathophysiological implications of extrahypothalamic TRH in humans are essentially unknown. The TSH response to TRH is nowadays widely used as a diganostic amplifier in thyroid diseases being suppressed in borderline and overt hyperthyroid states and increased in primary thyroid failure. In hypothyroid states of hypothalamic origin, TSH increases in response to exogenous TRH often with a delayed and/or exaggerated time course. But in patients with pituitary tumors and suprasellar extension TSH may also respond to TRH despite secondary hypothyroidism. This TSH increase may indicate a suprasellar cause for the secondary hypothyroidism, probably due to portal vessel occlusion. The TSH released in these cases is shown to be biologically inactive

Reduced Seminal Concentration of CD45pos Cells after Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Treatment in Selected Patients with Idiopathic Oligoasthenoteratozoospermia

The present study evaluated the conventional sperm parameters and the seminal concentration of CD45pos cells (pan-leukocyte marker) of infertile patients with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (OAT). The patients were arbitrarily divided into three groups treated with recombinant follicle-stimulating hormone FSH: α (Group A = 20 patients), recombinant FSH-β (Group B = 20 patients), and highly purified human FSH (Group C = 14 patients). All treated groups achieved a similar improvement of the main sperm parameters (density, progressive motility, and morphology), but only the increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology was significant compared to the baseline in all three examined groups. Moreover, all groups had a significant reduction of the seminal concentration of CD45pos cells and of the percentage of immature germ cells. Before and after the treatment, the concentration of CD45pos cells showed a positive linear correlation with the percentage of immature germ cells and a negative correlation with the percentage of spermatozoa with regular morphology. These results demonstrate that treatment with FSH is effective in patients with idiopathic OAT and that there are no significant differences between the different preparations. The novelty of this study is in the significant reduction of the concentration of CD45pos cells observed after the treatment

Klinefelter syndrome: cardiovascular abnormalities and metabolic disorders

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is one of the most common genetic causes of male infertility. This condition is associated with much comorbidity and with a lower life expectancy. The aim of this review is to explore more in depth cardiovascular and metabolic disorders associated to KS. KS patients have an increased risk of cerebrovascular disease (standardized mortality ratio, SMR, 2.2; 95% confidence interval, CI, 1.6–3.0), but it is not clear whether the cause of the death is of thrombotic or hemorrhagic nature. Cardiovascular congenital anomalies (SMR, 7.3; 95% CI, 2.4–17.1) and the development of thrombosis or leg ulcers (SMR, 7.9; 95% CI, 2.9–17.2) are also more frequent in these subjects. Moreover, cardiovascular abnormalities may be at least partially reversed by testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). KS patients have also an increased probability of endocrine and/or metabolic disease, especially obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The effects of TRT on these abnormalities are not entirely clear

Chronic Administration of Tadalafil Improves the Symptoms of Patients with Amicrobic MAGI: An Open Study

Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pharmacological treatment with Tadalafil 5 mg daily on symptoms and quality of sperm parameters in selected patients with amicrobic MAGI (male accessory gland inflammation). 120 patients with amicrobic MAGI (mean age 27.0 ± 6.0 years) with mild-moderate ED (erectile dysfunction) according to IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function 5 Items) scores underwent pharmacological treatment with Tadalafil 5 mg daily for six months. Before and after treatment these patients were evaluated through IIEF-5, semen analysis (according to WHO Criteria, 2010), SI-MAGI (Structured Interview about Male Accessory Gland Inflammation), and ultrasound evaluation. Patients with PVE (prostate-vesciculo-epididymitis) showed a significant increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with total (16.0 ± 8.0 versus 30.0 ± 6.0%) and progressive motility (8.00 ± 10.0 versus 25.0 ± 6.00%). It was a significant reduction of the number of patients with complicated ultrasound forms (30.0 versus 52.0) and a significant increase of the number of patients with uncomplicated ultrasound form (90.0 versus 68.0). Finally, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of patients with alterations of sexual function different from DE, such as premature ejaculation (4.00 versus 8.00%), painful ejaculation (4.00 versus 10.0%), delayed ejaculation (12.50 versus 8.00%), and decreased libido (10.0 versus 25.0%)

Chronic Administration of Tadalafil Improves the Symptoms of Patients with Amicrobic MAGI: An Open Study

Aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of pharmacological treatment with Tadalafil 5 mg daily on symptoms and quality of sperm parameters in selected patients with amicrobic MAGI (male accessory gland inflammation). 120 patients with amicrobic MAGI (mean age 27.0 ± 6.0 years) with mild-moderate ED (erectile dysfunction) according to IIEF-5 (International Index of Erectile Function 5 Items) scores underwent pharmacological treatment with Tadalafil 5 mg daily for six months. Before and after treatment these patients were evaluated through IIEF-5, semen analysis (according to WHO Criteria, 2010), SI-MAGI (Structured Interview about Male Accessory Gland Inflammation), and ultrasound evaluation. Patients with PVE (prostate-vesciculo-epididymitis) showed a significant increase in the percentage of spermatozoa with total (16.0 ± 8.0 versus 30.0 ± 6.0%) and progressive motility (8.00 ± 10.0 versus 25.0 ± 6.00%). It was a significant reduction of the number of patients with complicated ultrasound forms (30.0 versus 52.0) and a significant increase of the number of patients with uncomplicated ultrasound form (90.0 versus 68.0). Finally, there was a significant reduction in the percentage of patients with alterations of sexual function different from DE, such as premature ejaculation (4.00 versus 8.00%), painful ejaculation (4.00 versus 10.0%), delayed ejaculation (12.50 versus 8.00%), and decreased libido (10.0 versus 25.0%)

Urogenital infections in patients with diabetes mellitus: Beyond the conventional aspects

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a widespread disease in our country. Urogenital infections, including urinary tract infections, vaginitis, balanitis, balanoposthitis, and male accessory gland infections, show a higher risk of occurrence in patients with DM that non-diabetic subjects. Both non-drug-related and drug-related mechanisms are involved in their pathogenesis. These conditions may impact on glucose control and islets function in DM and more likely develop into adverse complications. A throughout microbial characterization, including the drug-sensitivity test, is required for a proper management. To reduce the risk of recurrence, combined treatment, including antibiotic, anti-inflammatory, and fibrinolytic molecules, should be prescribed also to the sexual partner. The choice of the antidiabetic drug to prescribe should take into consideration the presence of urogenital infections. In conclusion, urogenital infections may more likely lead to complication in diabetic than non-diabetic patients, affect fertility and glucose control. Therefore, they need proper management

Poor Efficacy of L-Acetylcarnitine in the Treatment of Asthenozoospermia in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

Introduction. In recent years, research has focused on the impact that diabetes mellitus (DM) has on male reproductive function. The available evidence has mainly considered type 2 DM (DM2). However, we have previously shown that type 1 DM (DM1) also affects male reproductive health. Given the efficacy of carnitine in the treatment of male infertility, a topic that merits further investigation is its role in the treatment of infertile patients with DM1. Aim. To investigate the efficacy of carnitines for the treatment of asthenozoospermia in DM1 patients. Methods. This was a two-arm single-blind, randomized control trial. The patients enrolled in this study were assigned to the group receiving L-acetylcarnitine (LAC) (1.5 g daily for 4 months) or to the group receiving LAC (same dosage) plus L-carnitine (LC) (2 g daily for 4 months). Serum-glycated hemoglobin levels did not differ significantly after either of the two treatments given. Administration of LAC plus LC showed greater efficacy on progressive sperm motility than single therapy (increase 14% vs. 1% after treatment, respectively). Discussion. The results of this study showed that the administration of LAC plus LC is more effective than the administration of LAC alone. The lower efficacy of LAC alone could be due to the lower overall administered dosage. Alternatively, a selective defect of carnitine transporters at an epididymal level could be hypothesized in patients with DM1. Further studies are needed to clarify this point

Consequences on aging process and human wellness of generation of nitrogen and oxygen species during strenuous exercise

Impairment of antioxidant defense system and increase in metabolic rate and production of reactive oxygen species have been demonstrated in strenuous exercise. Both at rest and during contractile activity, skeletal muscle generates a very complex set of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species; the main generated are superoxide and nitric oxide. The nature of the contractile activity influences the pattern and the magnitude of this reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS) generation. The intracellular pro-oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis undergoes alteration owing to strenuous exercise and the major identified sources of intracellular free radical generation during physical activity are the mitochondrial electron transport chain, polymorphoneutrophil, and xanthine oxidase. Reactive oxygen species increased tissue susceptibility to oxidative damage and pose a serious threat to the cellular antioxidant defense system. The possible dangerous consequences of the aging process and human wellness are emphasized in this review

Consequences on aging process and human wellness of generation of nitrogen and oxygen species during strenuous exercise

Impairment of antioxidant defense system and increase in metabolic rate and production of reactive oxygen species have been demonstrated in strenuous exercise. Both at rest and during contractile activity, skeletal muscle generates a very complex set of reactive nitrogen and oxygen species; the main generated are superoxide and nitric oxide. The nature of the contractile activity influences the pattern and the magnitude of this reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS) generation. The intracellular pro-oxidant/antioxidant homeostasis undergoes alteration owing to strenuous exercise and the major identified sources of intracellular free radical generation during physical activity are the mitochondrial electron transport chain, polymorphoneutrophil, and xanthine oxidase. Reactive oxygen species increased tissue susceptibility to oxidative damage and pose a serious threat to the cellular antioxidant defense system. The possible dangerous consequences of the aging process and human wellness are emphasized in this review