Defects of steroidogenesis

In the biosynthesis of steroid hormones the neutral lipid cholesterol, a normal constituent of lipid bilayers is transformed via a series of hydroxylation, oxidation, and reduction steps into a vast array of biologically active compounds: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones. Glucocorticoids regulate many aspects of metabolism and immune function, whereas mineralocorticoids help maintain blood volume and control renal excretion of electrolytes. Sex hormones are essential for sex differentiation in male and support reproduction. They include androgens, estrogens, and progestins. A block in the pathway of steroid biosynthesis leads to the lack of hormones downstream and accumulation of the upstream compounds that can activate other members of the steroid receptor family. This review deals with the clinical consequences of these block

Vitamin D and Male Sexual Function: A Transversal and Longitudinal Study

Background. The effects of vitamin D on sexual function are very unclear. Therefore, we aimed at evaluating the possible association between vitamin D and sexual function and at assessing the influence of vitamin D administration on sexual function. Methods. We retrospectively studied 114 men by evaluating clinical, biochemical, and sexual parameters. A subsample (n=41) was also studied longitudinally before and after vitamin D replacement therapy. Results. In the whole sample, after performing logistic regression models, higher levels of 25(OH) vitamin D were significantly associated with high values of total testosterone and of all the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire parameters. On the other hand, higher levels of total testosterone were positively and significantly associated with high levels of erectile function and IIEF total score. After vitamin D replacement therapy, total and free testosterone increased and erectile function improved, whereas other sexual parameters did not change significantly. At logistic regression analysis, higher levels of vitamin D increase (Δ-) were significantly associated with high values of Δ-erectile function after adjustment for Δ-testosterone. Conclusions. Vitamin D is important for the wellness of male sexual function, and vitamin D administration improves sexual function

Androgen Receptor Gene CAG Repeat Polymorphism Regulates the Metabolic Effects of Testosterone Replacement Therapy in Male Postsurgical Hypogonadotropic Hypogonadism

Aim. To evaluate the independent role of androgen receptor (AR) gene CAG repeat polymorphism on metabolic effects of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in male postsurgical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, a condition frequently associated with hypopituitarism and in which the TRT-related metabolic effects are combined with those deriving from concomitant administration of metabolically active pituitary-function replacement therapies. Methods. 15 men affected by postsurgical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism were evaluated before and after TRT. Cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs), pituitary-dependent hormones, and AR gene CAG repeat polymorphism were considered. Results. Testosterone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and estradiol were the only hormones, which varied significantly between the two phases. All CVRFs significantly improved after TRT. The number of CAG triplets was positively and significantly correlated with all the variations (Δ-) of CVRFs (except for a significant negative correlation with Δ-high-density lipoprotein); the opposite occurred between the latter and Δ-testosterone. No correlation between Δ-IGF-1 or estradiol and Δ-CVRFs was found. At multiple linear regression, after correction for Δ-testosterone, nearly all the associations between the number of CAG triplets and Δ-CVRFs were confirmed. Conclusions. In male postsurgical hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, shorter AR gene CAG tract length seems to yield greater metabolic improvement after TRT, independently of the effects of concomitant pituitary-function replacement therapies

Synchronous bilateral Warthin's tumours of the parotid glands: a case report

Warthin's tumour is the most frequent monomorphic adenoma of the major salivary glands, representing about 2-15% of all parotid tumours. Most of the multifocal Warthin's tumours are unilateral, whereas bilateral Warthin's tumours are far less common; bilateral Warthin's tumours are metachronous with few synchronous cases having been described in the literature. The Authors present an interesting case of simultaneously occurring bilateral Warthin's tumours growing in the parotid glands

Microwave Assisted Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Study of Some Novel Schiff's Bases, Thaizolidinone and Chalcone Compounds Derived from Mefenamic Acid

This work involves synthesis of some new heterocyclic compounds including thaizolidinone compounds. The new Schiff bases derived from mefenamic acid, which was synthesized by microwave irradiation of mefenamic acid with hydrazine hydrate in absolute ethanol and this amino compound condensation with different aromatic aldehydes in absolute ethanol. Thaizolidinone compounds were synthesized by cycloaddition reaction of mercapto acetic acid to imine group of Schiff bases in dry benzene. The new chalcone derivatives synthesized by the reaction aldehyde with their compounds.  M.P., TLC, CHN, UV, FTIR and NMR spectroscopy has characterized all the synthesized compounds. The biological screening data of the synthesized compounds were also studied. Keywords: Schiff bases, thaizolidinone, chalcone, antibacterial

Defects of steroidogenesis

In the biosynthesis of steroid hormones the neutral lipid cholesterol, a normal constituent of lipid bilayers is transformed via a series of hydroxylation, oxidation, and reduction steps into a vast array of biologically active compounds: mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, and sex hormones. Glucocorticoids regulate many aspects of metabolism and immune function, whereas mineralocorticoids help maintain blood volume and control renal excretion of electrolytes. Sex hormones are essential for sex differentiation in male and support reproduction. They include androgens, estrogens, and progestins. A block in the pathway of steroid biosynthesis leads to the lack of hormones downstream and accumulation of the upstream compounds that can activate other members of the steroid receptor family. This review deals with the clinical consequences of these blocks

Coenzyme Q10 treatment in infertile men with idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of coenzyme Q(10) treatment in improving semen quality in men with idiopathic infertility. DESIGN: Placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized trial. SETTING: Andrology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Polytechnic University of Marche, Italy. PATIENT(S): Sixty infertile patients (27-39 years of age) with the following baseline sperm selection criteria: concentration >20 x 10(6)/mL, sperm forward motility 30%; 55 patients completed the study. INTERVENTION(S): Patients underwent double-blind therapy with coenzyme Q(10), 200 mg/day, or placebo; the study design was 1 month of run-in, 6 months of therapy or placebo, and 3 months of follow-up. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Variations in semen parameters used for patient selection and variations of coenzyme Q(10) and ubiquinol concentrations in seminal plasma and spermatozoa. RESULT(S): Coenzyme Q(10) and ubiquinol increased significantly in both seminal plasma and sperm cells after treatment, as well as spermatozoa motility. A weak linear dependence among the relative variations, baseline and after treatment, of seminal plasma or intracellular coenzyme Q(10) and ubiquinol levels and kinetic parameters was found in the treated group. Patients with a lower baseline value of motility and levels of coenzyme Q(10) had a statistically significant higher probability to be responders to the treatment. CONCLUSION(S): The exogenous administration of coenzyme Q(10) increases the level of the same and ubiquinol in semen and is effective in improving sperm kinetic features in patients affected by idiopathic asthenozoospermia