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Martín-Hidalgo D, Solar-Málaga S, González-Fernández L, Zamorano J, García-Marín LJ, Bragado MJ. The compound YK 3-237 promotes pig sperm capacitation-related events. Vet Res Commun 2024; 48:773-786. [PMID: 37906355 PMCID: PMC10998788 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-023-10243-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
Before fertilization of the oocyte, the spermatozoa must undergo through a series of biochemical changes in the female reproductive tract named sperm capacitation. Spermatozoa regulates its functions by post-translational modifications, being historically the most studied protein phosphorylation. In addition to phosphorylation, recently, protein acetylation has been described as an important molecular mechanism with regulatory roles in several reproductive processes. However, its role on the mammal's sperm capacitation process remains unraveled. Sirtuins are a deacetylase protein family with 7 members that regulate protein acetylation. Here, we investigated the possible role of SIRT1 on pig sperm capacitation-related events by using YK 3-237, a commercial SIRT1 activator drug. SIRT1 is localized in the midpiece of pig spermatozoa. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation (focused at p32) is an event associated to pig sperm capacitation that increases when spermatozoa are in vitro capacitated in presence of YK 3-237. Eventually, YK 3-237 induces acrosome reaction in capacitated spermatozoa: YK 3-237 treatment tripled (3.40 ± 0.40 fold increase) the percentage of acrosome-reacted spermatozoa compared to the control. In addition, YK 3-237 induces sperm intracellular pH alkalinization and raises the intracellular calcium levels through a CatSper independent mechanism. YK 3-237 was not able to bypass sAC inhibition by LRE1. In summary, YK 3-237 promotes pig sperm capacitation by a mechanism upstream of sAC activation and independent of CatSper calcium channel.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martín-Hidalgo
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España.
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España.
- Unidad de Investigación, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Cáceres, Avenida Pablo Naranjo s/n, Cáceres, 10003, Spain.
| | - Soraya Solar-Málaga
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España
| | - Lauro González-Fernández
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España
| | - José Zamorano
- Unidad de Investigación, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Cáceres, Avenida Pablo Naranjo s/n, Cáceres, 10003, Spain
| | - Luis Jesús García-Marín
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España
| | - María Julia Bragado
- Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad de Extremadura, Avenida de Elvas s/n, Badajoz, 06006, España
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C. Universidad de Extremadura, Cáceres, España
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Du Y, Zhu J, Guo Z, Wang Z, Wang Y, Hu M, Zhang L, Yang Y, Wang J, Huang Y, Huang P, Chen M, Chen B, Yang C. Metformin adverse event profile: a pharmacovigilance study based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 2004 to 2022. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol 2024; 17:189-201. [PMID: 38269492 DOI: 10.1080/17512433.2024.2306223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metformin has the potential for treating numerous diseases, but there are still many unrecognized and unreported adverse events (AEs). METHODS We selected data from the United States FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database from the first quarter (Q1) of 2004 to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2022 for disproportionality analysis to assess the association between metformin and related adverse events. RESULTS In this study 10,500,295 case reports were collected from the FAERS database, of which 56,674 adverse events related to metformin were reported. A total of 643 preferred terms (PTs) and 27 system organ classes (SOCs) that were significant disproportionality conforming to the four algorithms simultaneously were included. The SOCs included metabolic and nutritional disorders (p = 0.00E + 00), gastrointestinal disorders (p = 0.00E + 00) and others. PT levels were screened for adverse drug reaction (ADR) signals such as acute pancreatitis (p = 0.00E + 00), melas syndrome, pemphigoid (p = 0.00E + 00), skin eruption (p = 0.00E + 00) and drug exposure during pregnancy (p = 0.00E + 00). CONCLUSION Most of our results were consistent with the specification, but some new signals of adverse reactions such as acute pancreatitis were not included. Therefore, further studies are needed to validate unlabeled adverse reactions and provide important support for clinical monitoring and risk identification of metformin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yikuan Du
- Central Laboratory, The Tenth Affiliated Hospital of Southern Medical University, Dongguan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinfeng Zhu
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Zhuoming Guo
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Zhenjie Wang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yuni Wang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Mianda Hu
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Lingzhi Zhang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yurong Yang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Jinjin Wang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Yixing Huang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Peiying Huang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Mianhai Chen
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Bo Chen
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Dongguan Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Tissue Engineering, The First Dongguan Affiliated Hospital, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Medical University, Dongguan, China
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Martin-Hidalgo D, González-Fernández L, Bragado MJ, Garcia-Marin LJ, Alves MG, Oliveira PF. The sirtuin 1 activator YK 3-237 stimulates capacitation-related events in human spermatozoa. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 46:165-178. [PMID: 36357302 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) have a role in the human spermatozoa capacitation process? DESIGN Human spermatozoa were incubated for 6 h in a capacitating medium in presence or absence of the specific SIRT1 activator, YK 3-237. Several sperm parameters were determined by flow cytometry: viability, acrosome reaction and mitochondria membrane status. Sperm motility was determined objectively by computer-assisted semen analysis. Sperm capacitation status was evaluated by the extent of protein tyrosine phosphorylation and by the percentage of spermatozoa with the acrosome reacted by a calcium ionophore challenge. RESULTS SIRT1 was detected in the connecting piece of human spermatozoa where a lysine acetylation pattern was mainly found along the sperm tail. SIRT1 activation accelerates the occurrence of a phenotype associated with human sperm capacitation, with no differences seen in the lysine acetylation pattern. After 1 h of co-incubation of YK 3-237 with human spermatozoa, tyrosine phosphorylation levels were comparable to control levels after 6 h of incubation in capacitating conditions. In addition, the activator improved sperm responsiveness to a Ca2+ ionophore (A23187) challenge determined by an increase in acrosome-reacted spermatozoa (P = 0.025). Importantly, sperm viability and mitochondrial activity-related parameters assessed by flow cytometry were not affected by YK 3-237. CONCLUSION YK 3-237 induces capacitation-related events in human spermatozoa such an increase of tyrosine phosphorylation levels and acrosome-reacted spermatozoa after the ionophore challenge. Together, these results show that YK 3-237 affects human spermatozoa capacitation-related events by a mechanism independent of protein lysine acetylation but dependent on bicarbonate and calcium.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martin-Hidalgo
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain; Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Unidad de Investigación, Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Cáceres, Avenida Pablo Naranjo s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain.
| | - Lauro González-Fernández
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain
| | - M Julia Bragado
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain
| | - Luis J Garcia-Marin
- Grupo de Investigación Señalización Intracelular y Tecnología de la Reproducción (SINTREP), Instituto de Investigación INBIO G+C, Universidad de Extremadura, Avda de la Universidad s/n, Cáceres 10003, Spain
| | - Marco G Alves
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro F Oliveira
- 7QOPNA and LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, Portugal
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Lotti F, Marchiani S, Corona G, Maggi M. Metabolic Syndrome and Reproduction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22041988. [PMID: 33671459 PMCID: PMC7922007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and infertility are two afflictions with a high prevalence in the general population. MetS is a global health problem increasing worldwide, while infertility affects up to 12% of men. Despite the high prevalence of these conditions, the possible impact of MetS on male fertility has been investigated by a few authors only in the last decade. In addition, underlying mechanism(s) connecting the two conditions have been investigated in few preclinical studies. The aim of this review is to summarize and critically discuss available clinical and preclinical studies on the role of MetS (and its treatment) in male fertility. An extensive Medline search was performed identifying studies in the English language. While several studies support an association between MetS and hypogonadism, contrasting results have been reported on the relationship between MetS and semen parameters/male infertility, and the available studies considered heterogeneous MetS definitions and populations. So far, only two meta-analyses in clinical and preclinical studies, respectively, evaluated this topic, reporting a negative association between MetS and sperm parameters, testosterone and FSH levels, advocating, however, larger prospective investigations. In conclusion, a possible negative impact of MetS on male reproductive potential was reported; however, larger studies are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Lotti
- Andrology, Female Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (F.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Sara Marchiani
- Andrology, Female Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy; (F.L.); (S.M.)
| | - Giovanni Corona
- Endocrinology Unit, Medical Department, Maggiore-Bellaria Hospital, Azienda-Usl Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Mario Maggi
- Endocrinology Unit, Department of Experimental, Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, University of Florence, 50139 Florence, Italy;
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Leisegang K, Almaghrawi W, Henkel R. The effect of Nigella sativa oil and metformin on male seminal parameters and testosterone in Wistar rats exposed to an obesogenic diet. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 133:111085. [PMID: 33378981 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a significant global health and socio-economic challenge, and considered an important risk factor for poor health outcomes including male reproductive dysfunction and infertility. As excess adiposity causes testicular dysfunction and infertility, novel therapeutic strategies require investigation. Nigella sativa (Ns) seed oil and metformin have both demonstrated a potential positive effect on obesity, although both remain poorly investigated in male fertility. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of Ns oil and metformin on total body weight (TBW), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), serum testosterone and semen parameters in an obese animal model. Wistar rats (n = 54) were divided into six groups: normal chow (NC), high sugar diet (HSD) only, HSD and saline, HSD and metformin (75 mg/Kg/day), HSD and Ns (200 mg/Kg/day) (NS200), HSD and Ns (400 mg/Kg/day) (NS400). Intervention was force fed for the last 8 weeks of the 14 weeks dietary exposures. Results showed that the HSD increased TBW (P = 0.001) and reduced sperm concentration (P = 0.013) and progressive motility (P = 0.009) compared to the NC group. Metformin, NS200 and NS400 improved TBW (P = 0.035, P = 0.006 and P = 0.005, respectively) and testosterone (P < 0.001) compared to the HSD saline group, where metformin and NS400 improved sperm concentration (P < 0.001 and P = 0.049, respectively) and MMP (P < 0.001). There were no changes in sperm motility and viability for all experimental exposures, although NS400 (P = 0.047) negatively affected sperm viability. Metformin and Ns may be novel treatment options in obesity-induced infertility, although a potential negative impact on viability is cautioned for high dose Ns. These results warrant further investigation of Ns and Metformin for the management of obese infertile males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristian Leisegang
- School of Natural Medicine, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - Walid Almaghrawi
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Ralf Henkel
- Department of Medical Biosciences, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa; American Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, United States; Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, UK
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Carrageta DF, Guerra-Carvalho B, Sousa M, Barros A, Oliveira PF, Monteiro MP, Alves MG. Mitochondrial Activation and Reactive Oxygen-Species Overproduction during Sperm Capacitation are Independent of Glucose Stimuli. Antioxidants (Basel) 2020; 9:antiox9080750. [PMID: 32823893 PMCID: PMC7464989 DOI: 10.3390/antiox9080750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2020] [Revised: 08/06/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa capacitation is a complex process that requires specific ionic and energetic conditions to support biochemical alterations leading to motility hyperactivation. However, human sperm capacitation is still poorly understood. Herein, we studied the effects of glucose on human sperm capacitation. Healthy men seminal samples (n = 55) were submitted to a density gradient centrifugation and incubated in capacitating conditions in the absence or presence of increasing glucose concentrations (0, 5.5, 11, and 22 mM). Viability and total motility were accessed. Phosphotyrosine levels were measured. Mitochondrial activity and endogenous ROS production were evaluated. Oxidative stress-induced damage was analyzed. Culture media was collected and analyzed by 1H-NMR. Our results show that glucose is essential for human sperm capacitation and motility. Notably, we observed that mitochondrial activity increased even in the absence of glucose. This increased mitochondrial activity was followed by a ROS overproduction, although no oxidative stress-induced damage was detected. Our results show that glucose is essential for capacitation but mitochondrial activation is independent from its stimuli. ROS overproduction may take part on a finely regulated signaling pathway that modulates or even activates capacitation. Taken together, our results constitute a paradigm shift on human sperm capacitation physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- David F. Carrageta
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Bárbara Guerra-Carvalho
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Mário Sousa
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
| | - Alberto Barros
- Centre for Reproductive Genetics Alberto Barros, 4100-012 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal
- i3S—Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, Universidade do Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro F. Oliveira
- QOPNA & LAQV, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal;
| | - Mariana P. Monteiro
- Clinical and Experimental Endocrinology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
| | - Marco G. Alves
- Department of Microscopy, Laboratory of Cell Biology, Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal; (D.F.C.); (B.G.-C.); (M.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-220-428-000
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7
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Yang Y, Chen H, Weng S, Pan T, Chen W, Wang F, Luo T, Tang Y. In vitro exposure to metformin activates human spermatozoa at therapeutically relevant concentrations. Andrology 2020; 8:663-670. [PMID: 31944615 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Metformin, a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes, has gained attention for its multiple therapeutic applications. However, little is known about its effects on human sperm function at therapeutically relevant concentration. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to elucidate the in vitro actions of metformin on human sperm function and explore the underlying mechanism of any effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Human ejaculated spermatozoa were treated with therapeutically relevant concentrations (0.25, 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 µM) of metformin in vitro. Fertilization-essential functions of spermatozoa were examined, including viability, motility, capacitation, acrosome reaction, hyperactivation, and penetration ability. The signaling pathways mediated by 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+ ]i ), and tyrosine phosphorylation of spermatozoa were also measured. RESULTS Although metformin did not affect sperm viability, motility, and [Ca2+ ]i , it significantly increased the percentages of capacitated spermatozoa, acrosomal-reacted spermatozoa, and hyperactivated spermatozoa as well as penetration ability of human spermatozoa at the concentrations of 40 and 80 µM (P < .05). These concentrations of metformin also elevated the levels of phosphorylated AMPK and tyrosine phosphorylation in human spermatozoa. In addition, activation of AMPK by A769662 (an AMPK activator) had similar effects to metformin on human spermatozoa, while inhibition of AMPK by Compound C (an AMPK inhibitor) suppressed the enhancement of metformin on human spermatozoa. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that metformin activates human sperm function through an AMPK-related mechanism which increases tyrosine phosphorylation at therapeutically relevant concentrations, thereby suggesting its improvement on human sperm function when treating subfertile males of type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Yang
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Houyang Chen
- Reproductive Medical Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Shiqi Weng
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tingting Pan
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wenqiong Chen
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Fang Wang
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Institute of Life Science and School of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Yuxin Tang
- Department of Urology, The Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China.,Reproductive Department of Urology, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, China
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8
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Martin-Hidalgo D, Bragado MJ, Batista AR, Oliveira PF, Alves MG. Antioxidants and Male Fertility: from Molecular Studies to Clinical Evidence. Antioxidants (Basel) 2019; 8:antiox8040089. [PMID: 30959797 PMCID: PMC6523199 DOI: 10.3390/antiox8040089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2019] [Revised: 04/01/2019] [Accepted: 04/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatozoa are physiologically exposed to reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a pivotal role on several sperm functions through activation of different intracellular mechanisms involved in physiological functions such as sperm capacitation associated-events. However, ROS overproduction depletes sperm antioxidant system, which leads to a condition of oxidative stress (OS). Subfertile and infertile men are known to present higher amount of ROS in the reproductive tract which causes sperm DNA damage and results in lower fertility and pregnancy rates. Thus, there is a growing number of couples seeking fertility treatment and assisted reproductive technologies (ART) due to OS-related problems in the male partner. Interestingly, although ART can be successfully used, it is also related with an increase in ROS production. This has led to a debate if antioxidants should be proposed as part of a fertility treatment in an attempt to decrease non-physiological elevated levels of ROS. However, the rationale behind oral antioxidants intake and positive effects on male reproduction outcome is only supported by few studies. In addition, it is unclear whether negative effects may arise from oral antioxidants intake. Although there are some contrasting reports, oral consumption of compounds with antioxidant activity appears to improve sperm parameters, such as motility and concentration, and decrease DNA damage, but there is not sufficient evidence that fertility rates and live birth really improve after antioxidants intake. Moreover, it depends on the type of antioxidants, treatment duration, and even the diagnostics of the man’s fertility, among other factors. Literature also suggests that the main advantage of antioxidant therapy is to extend sperm preservation to be used during ART. Herein, we discuss ROS production and its relevance in male fertility and antioxidant therapy with focus on molecular mechanisms and clinical evidence.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Martin-Hidalgo
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- Research Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Institute of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Livestock (INBIO G+C), University of Extremadura, 10004 Cáceres, Spain.
| | - Maria Julia Bragado
- Research Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Institute of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Livestock (INBIO G+C), University of Extremadura, 10004 Cáceres, Spain.
| | | | - Pedro F Oliveira
- Unit for Multidisciplinary Research in Biomedicine (UMIB), Laboratory of Cell Biology, Department of Microscopy, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar (ICBAS), University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal.
- i3S-Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde, University of Porto, 4200-135 Porto, Portugal.
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
| | - Marco G Alves
- Research Group of Intracellular Signaling and Technology of Reproduction (SINTREP), Institute of Biotechnology in Agriculture and Livestock (INBIO G+C), University of Extremadura, 10004 Cáceres, Spain.
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