Seminal plasma transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in patients with varicocele

28th Congress of the Societe-Internationale-Urologie -- NOV 12-16, 2006 -- Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICAKISA, Ucler/0000-0002-8131-6810WOS: 000254702300002Aims: The aim of this study was to analyze seminal plasma epidermal growth factor (EGF) and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) levels in infertile patients with varicocele and normal fertile cases, and to evaluate the relationships between seminal plasma EGF and TGF-beta, seminal parameters and serum hormone levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 100 patients with varicocele were enrolled into the study. Semen analyses were performed after 2 and 5 days of sexual abstinence. These patients were divided into two groups based on the results of semen analysis as oligoasthenoteratozoospermia (Group 1) and normal semen analysis (Group 2). Additionally, 100 fertile cases without any scrotal pathology were accepted as the control group (Group 3), and semen analysis was also performed in these cases. Seminal plasma EGF and TGF-beta levels were measured with ELISA. Additionally, serum gonadotropin and serum sex steroid levels were measured in patients and controls. Statistical analysis was performed by using one-way ANOVA test and post hoc Bonferroni test. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between patients and controls regarding seminal parameters (P < 0.05). Seminal plasma EGF and TGF-beta levels were higher in patients with varicocele (Group 1 and Group 2) than Group 3; however, there was a statistically significant difference only in TGF-beta levels (P = 0.017). Seminal plasma EGF and TGF-beta levels showed a negative relationship with seminal parameters (P < 0.005). However, there was no relationship between these growth factors and serum hormone levels. Conclusions: This study showed that increased levels of EGF and TGF-beta were associated with decreased seminal parameters in patients with varicocele. However, the relationship was more evident with TGF-beta.Soc Int Uro

The Effects of Beta-blockers on Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Immunoreactivity in the Rat Corpus Cavernosum

Aydos, Tolga Resat/0000-0002-1832-9336; KORKUSUZ, PETEK/0000-0002-7553-3915; Zeybek, Dilara/0000-0002-6161-5661WOS: 000275814500036PubMed: 19962728OBJECTIVES To explain the mechanism of the effects of beta-blockers on endothelial dysfunction and release of nitric oxide from the endothelium. METHODS A total of 72 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 9 different groups as follows: group 1: control (n = 10), group 2: metoprolol (Beloc) 100 mg/kg/d (n = 7), group 3: carvedilol (Dilatrend) 50 mg/kg/d (n = 7), group 4: nebivolol (Vasoxen) 10 mg/kg/d (n = 6), group 5: estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182.780 (Fluvestrant) 50 mu g/g (n = 10), group 6: nebivolol +ER antagonist (n = 8), group 7: androgen receptor (AR) antagonist (flutamide) 20 mg/kg (n = 7), group 8: nebivolol + AR antagonist (n = 7), and group 9: DMSO (solvent for ER antagonist) (n = 10). All beta-blockers were applied with gastric gavage after dilution with 5 mL of serum physiological; ER and AR were both applied intraperitoneally (i.p.) for 14 days. In the isolated rat cavernous tissues, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and ER and AR immunoreactivity were analyzed quantitatively. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS Although increased eNOS immunoreactivity was observed with nebivolol and nebivolol-flutamide in endothelial cells laying cavernous tissue, a lower score was observed after ICI-182.780 application, when compared with control cases. AR immunoreactivity in cavernosal endothelium was clearly higher with nebivolol. Higher H score and ER immunoreactivity were observed in the cavernous endothelium and smooth muscles in the nebivolol, carvedilol, and metoprolol groups when compared with control cases. CONCLUSIONS We showed that eNOS activity was increased in the nebivolol and nebivolol-flutamide groups, whereas it was decreased in the ICI 182.780 group. We believe that an ER-dependent mechanism triggered by nebivolol played a role in nitric oxide formation. UROLOGY 75: 589-597, 2010. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc

Female sexual and hormonal status in patients with bronchial asthma: Relationship with respiratory function tests and psychological and somatic status

Batislam, Ertan/0000-0002-7493-4573WOS: 000245566500003PubMed: 17382135OBJECTIVES To assess the relationship among the sexual, hormonal, physical, and psychological status of women with bronchial asthma (BA) compared with that of healthy volunteers. METHODS Thirty-eight women with BA were enrolled in the study. The patients were asked to complete the Female Sexual Function Index, General Health Questionnaire, and Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36-item Health Survey (SF-36). Using the answers on the SF-36, the mental and physical component summary scores were calculated. A total of 20 healthy women were enrolled in the study as the control group. The same questionnaires were given to this group as well. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and Pearson correlation tests. RESULTS At the end of the study, statistically significant differences were observed for all questionnaire scores (P <0.05). The most common female sexual dysfunction was diminished arousal (n = 30, 78.9%) in women with BA. In the correlation analysis, the total Female Sexual Function Index score had a statistically significant and positive correlation with the mental component summary score (r = 0.503, P = 0.001) and a negative correlation with the General Health Questionnaire score (r = -0.380, P = 0.020). CONCLUSIONS The results of our study have shown that BA, as a chronic medical condition, can be a cause of female sexual dysfunction with mental and psychiatric mechanisms

The ghrelin and orexin activity in testicular tissues of patients with idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the presence of ghrelin and orexin in the testicular tissue of patients who have undergone microscopic testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) due to idiopathic non-obstructive azoospermia. Seventy azoospermic cases were included in this study; serum hormone levels were measured and genetic investigations were performed. The patients were divided into two groups: micro-TESE (+) and micro-TESE (−). The number of Leydig cells and stained cells in the seminiferous tubules were counted under a light microscope, and we analyzed ghrelin and orexin activity. The relationship between serum hormone levels and ghrelin and orexin distributions in testicular tissue was evaluated according to micro-TESE results. While sperm was found in 33 cases (47.1%), micro-TESE was negative in 37 cases (52.9%). Peptide hormone activity in testicular tissue was higher in micro-TESE (+) cases. However, interstitial orexin (p = 0.038) and ghrelin (p = 0.002) activity showed statistically meaningful differences. Many different peptides, genes, and other unknown mechanisms play important roles in testicular function. In particular, the peptides orexin and ghrelin may play regulatory roles in testicular function in humans. Keywords: Ghrelin, Micro-TESE, Non-obstructive azoospermia, Orexi

Flexible Ureteroscopy Can Be More Efficacious in the Treatment of Proximal Ureteral Stones in Select Patients

Purpose. We aimed to compare and evaluate the outcomes and complications of two endoscopic treatment procedures, semirigid ureteroscopy (SR-URS) and flexible ureteroscopy (F-URS), in the treatment of proximal ureteral stones (PUS). Methods. SR-URS (group 1) was done on 68 patients whereas 64 patients underwent F-URS (group 2) for the treatment of PUS. Success rate was defined as the absence of stone fragments or presence of asymptomatic insignificant residual fragments < 2 mm. Outcomes and complications were recorded. Results. The differences were statistically not significant in age, gender, body mass index (BMI), and stone characteristics between groups. Mean ureteral stone size was 9.1 ± 0.4 mm and 8.9 ± 0.5 mm for groups 1 and 2. Mean operative time was 34.1 ± 1.5 min and 49.4 ± 2.3 min for groups 1 and 2 (p=0.001). SFRs were 76.5% and 87.5% for groups 1 and 2 (p=0.078). Two major complications (ureteral avulsion and ureteral rupture) occurred in group 1. Conclusion. F-URS is safer and less invasive than SR-URS in patients with PUS. There is no statistically significant difference in the efficacy of either technique. Nonetheless we recommend F-URS in the management of PUS as a first-line treatment option in select cases of proximal ureteral calculi

Effects of ozone therapy and taurine on ischemia/reperfusion-induced testicular injury in a rat testicular torsion model

Background/aim: To investigate the effect of ozone and/or taurine treatment comparatively on testicular damage due to ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in an experimental torsion model in rats. Materials and methods: Adult Wistar rats with and without torsion/detorsion were used. In order to monitor the effect of ozone and/or taurine treatment on testicular damage due to I/R injury, following histopathological investigation apoptotic indexes were scored by TUNEL method. Moreover, tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (TNFR1), caspase 3, caspase 8, endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), and cytochrome C immunostainings were performed and the levels of malondialdehyde, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, catalase, total sulthydryl, and nitric oxide were determined in the testicular tissue. Results: Intraperitoneal ozone and/or taurine treatment prevented both histopathological damage and increase in the apoptotic index. Torsion did not exert an effect on the levels of TNFa and cytochrome C. Ozone and/or taurine treatment prevented increases in TNFR1, caspase 3, and caspase 8. The level of oxidative stress markers was unchanged. The increases in NO level and eNOS expression were prevented by ozone and/or taurine treatment in I/R groups. Conclusion: Using ozone therapy and/or taurine before reperfusion may be a solution for germ cell degeneration resulting from testicular torsion and related infertility

The effect of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy on distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal in rabbit renal pelvis and proximal ureter

Background/aim: An experimental study was performed to evaluate the effect of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on the distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in rabbit renal pelvis and proximal ureter. Materials and methods: Six New Zealand rabbits were included. Right kidneys were exposed to a total of 3000 shock waves (14 kV) by using an electrohydraulic-type ESWL device. Right sides were allocated as the ESWL group (EG, n = 6) and left sides as the control group (CG, n = 6). Tissues were harvested on day 7. Tissues were examined histopathologically for the presence of edema, inflammation, congestion, hemorrhage, fibrosis, and vascularization. Mast cell tryptase and CD117 (c-kit) staining was performed for ICC distribution. Results: Although increased tissue edema in renal pelvises and increased inflammation in ureters were observed in EG, no statistical difference was detected between groups (P > 0.05). In CG, positive CD117 staining was detected in 2 renal pelvises and ureters. None of the EG samples showed CD117 staining and no statistical difference was detected between groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Rabbit does not appear to be a good model for investigating ICCs. ESWL may cause histopathological alterations in the renal pelvis and ureter. Since it has not been statistically proven, reduced contractility of the ureter after ESWL may not be attributed to altered distribution of ICCs in the renal pelvis and ureter