Levels of DNA, Protein, Lipid Oxidation and Apoptosis Biomarkers in Semen of Men with Hyperviscous Semen: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND

Semen hyperviscosity is a threatening cause of abnormal spermatozoa and infertility in men. We aimed to evaluate oxidative stress, antioxidants depletion and sperm apoptosis as main reasons for poor quality of spermatozoa in men with hyperviscous semen.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this cross-sectional study, ejaculate specimens were collected from fertile (n=102) and infertile men with hyperviscous semen (n=123) and without semen hyperviscosity (n=143). Total antioxidant capacity (TAC), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and were measured in semen samples to estimate oxidative stress status. Gene expression pattern of BAX, CASPASE-9, CASPASE-3, and BCL2 was assessed to estimate sperm apoptosis.

RESULTS

The average of sperm count, normal morphology, normal motility, and sperm vitality in men with hyperviscous semen was significantly lower than infertile subjects without hyperviscous semen (P<0.01). Men with hyperviscous semen exhibited higher levels of PC (8.34 ± 1.03 nmol/mg vs. 6.01 ± 0.93 nmol/mg, P=0.008), MDA (1.14 ± 0.27 nmol/ ml vs. 0.89 ± 0.22 nmol/ml, P=0.031), 8-OHdG (259.71 ± 24.59 ng/ml vs. 197.13 ± 18.47 ng/ml, P=0.009), but lower TAC contents (1250.44 ± 66.23 μM/L vs. 1784.31 ± 89.87 μM/L, P=0.018) and GSH (3.82 ± 1.05 μM vs. 5.89 ± 0.87 μM, P=0.021) than men with non-viscous semen. The expression of BAX, CASPASE-3 and CASPASE-9 genes in men with hyperviscous semen was significantly increased by 1.39-fold (P=0.041), 1.47-fold (P=0.046), 1.29-fold (P=0.048), respectively, as compared with the infertile subjects without hyperviscous semen. However, BCL2 expression in infertile men without hyperviscous semen was higher compared to those with hyperviscous semen (1.36-fold, P=0.044).

CONCLUSION

Hyperviscous semen is markedly associated with depletion of seminal plasma antioxidants, sperm membrane lipid peroxidation, DNA and protein oxidation, and sperm apoptosis. Antioxidant therapy might be considered as a valuable strategy to protect sperm cells against oxidative damage in cases with seminal fluid hyperviscosity.

Anti-apoptotic properties of N-Acetyl cysteine and its effects on of Liver X receptor and Sirtuin 1 expression in the liver of rats exposed to Lead

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the expression of Liver X receptor (Lxr), Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1), apoptotic-related genes, and the protective role of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) in the liver of rats treated with Lead (Pb).

METHODS

Rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, including G1 (control), G2 (single dose of Pb), G3 (continuous dose of Pb), G4 (single dose of Pb + NAC), and G5 (continuous dose of Pb + NAC). Lipid profiles and liver specific enzymes were assessed. Expression of Lxr, Sirt1, Bax and Caspase-3 genes was considered using RT-PCR.

RESULTS

Exposure to Pb caused a significant accumulation of Pb in the blood and liver tissue, increase in serum AST, ALT and ALP enzymes, as well as lipid profiles. Chronic exposure to Pb caused a significant decrease in Lxr (3.15-fold; p < 0.001) and Sirt1 (2.78-fold; p = 0.009), but significant increase in expression of Bax (4.49-fold; p < 0.001) and Caspase-3 (4.10-fold; p < 0.001) genes when compared to the control. Combined therapy with Pb + NAC in rats caused a significant decrease in AST, ALT and ALP values (28.93%, 20.80% and 28.86%, respectively) in the blood as compared to rats treated with Pb alone. Co-treated with Pb + NAC significantly increased the expression of Lxr (1.72-fold; p = 0.043) and Sirt1 (2.45-fold; p = 0.008), but decreased the expression of Bax (1.96-fold; p = 0.03) and Caspase 3 (2.22-fold; p = 0.029) genes when compared to rats treated with Pb alone.

CONCLUSION

Chronic exposure to Pb is strongly associated with accumulation of Pb in the blood and liver, hepatic cells apoptosis, down-expression of Lxr and Sirt1 genes and consequently liver injury and abnormal lipid profiles. NAC reversed the Pb-induced toxicity on the liver tissue.