Sperm DNA integrity could be considered a biological marker of sperm quality and may affect fertilization, embryonic development, and pregnancy outcome. The study aimed to investigate the connection between semen characteristics and sperm DNA damage in infertile patients. Standard semen analysis of 536 samples was carried out following the World Health Organization (WHO) 5th edition recommendations. Sperm DNA damage was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick‐end labeling (TUNEL) assay, after preparation by direct swim‐up. The slides were evaluated using a fluorescence microscope and the percentage of TUNEL‐positive spermatozoa was expressed as the DNA fragmentation index (DFI). Patients were classified according to their DFI levels: group A (DFI < 15%) and group B (DFI ≥15%). Sperm total count, concentration, total and progressive motility, vitality, and normal morphology were significantly higher in group A compared to group B (p < 0.001). The results show a significant inverse correlation between DFI and patient's age, sperm total count, concentration, total and progressive motility, vitality and normal morphology. Higher DFI values were found to be strongly associated with poor sperm quality. In conclusion, combined with conventional semen analysis, assessment of sperm DFI could improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment management for patients with male infertility.

No abstract

Aronia melanocarpa is a fruit exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hypolipidemic, and anticarcinogenic properties. Telomerase is a critical factor in the development of colon cancer, and it is being looked at as a target for cancer treatments. In the present study, we aimed to examine the potential effect of Aronia melanocarpa extract on cell viability and protein concentration of the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) in the human colon cancer cell line (HT-29) and the non-tumorigenic human umbilical vein endothelial cell line (HUVEC). Methods: Cell lines were treated with different concentrations of Aronia extract (50-750 μg/ml) for 48 h. The cytotoxic activity of Aronia extract was determined using the MTT assay. hTERT protein concentration (pg/ml) was measured using a sandwich ELISA. Results: The MTT assay test showed that Aronia extract induces 50% cell death (IC50) at a concentration of 186 μg/mL at 48 h post-treatment in the HT-29 cell line. Cytotoxicity results showed a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability in the HT-29 cell line. However, increasing Aronia extract concentrations showed no similar effect on the HUVEC cell line. The hTERT protein concentration in HT-29 cells was 1.9-fold higher than that of HUVEC cells. Increasing concentrations of Aronia extract was linked with a significant decrease in hTERT protein level in HT-29 cells, whereas the hTERT protein concentration in HUVEC cells did not change significantly. Conclusions: Our results suggest that A. melanocarpa may be a potential therapeutic agent for anticarcinogenic activity. Also, the anti-proliferative effects of Aronia extract may be attributed, at least partly, to the decreased hTERT protein level of HT-29 cells.

8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is the most frequent oxidative DNA damage. 8-oxo-deoxyguanosine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1) is involved in the repair of 8-OHdG. Many studies indicated that DNA repair is decreased in type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Single nucleotide polymorphisms in DNA repair genes may be linked to a decrease in DNA repair activity. The main objective of this study was to see how the OGG1 Ser326Cys gene polymorphism affected OGG1 expression and urinary excretion of 8-OHdG in T2DM patients. OGG1 expression and OGG1 genotyping in lymphocytes were detected by immunocytochemical staining and Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism assay, respectively. Urinary 8-OHdG levels were measured by using ELISA kit in patients with T2DM. Compared with control cases, patients with T2DM had lower OGG1 immunopositivity and higher urinary 8-OHdG levels. No significant difference was found in OGG1 immunopositivity or urinary 8-OHdG levels between subjects with different OGG1 genotypes in both groups. In conclusion, The OGG1 Ser326Cys gene polymorphism has no effect on neither OGG1 expression nor urinary 8-OHdG levels. Increased urinary 8-OHdG levels despite low OGG1 immunopositivity may be derived from the action of other DNA repair enzymes.

Objective: The molecular processes underlying degenerative cartilage disease ''osteoarthritis, OA'' are not fully known.. Although oxidative stress causes cell damage in various tissues, there is not enough evidence for the involvement of oxidative stress in degenerative joint diseases. On the other hand, various spa therapies such as balneotherapy, mud, mineral water, and sulfur bath have long been used for treating osteoarthritis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of spa therapy with balneotherapy on oxidant/antioxidant status and lipid levels. Material and Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 28 osteoarthritis patients who had spa therapy at Bursa Military Hospital, Turkey. Osteoarthritis patients between 45-70 years who had no contraindications to spa therapy were eligible for inclusion in the study. Spa therapy included balneotherapy with acratothermal water, physical therapy modalities, and mild exercise for 15 days. Blood samples were obtained before and after the treatment cycle to determine the patients' possible changes in oxidant/antioxidant status and lipid profiles. Serum malondialdehyde (MDA), total thiol (T-SH) levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and plasma lipids were measured. Results: We found a statistically nonsignificant decrease in MDA levels and a significant increase in GPx activity. Whereas plasma lipids, T-SH levels, TAC, and SOD activity remained unchanged. Conclusion: We may suggest that different mechanisms may play a role in the beneficial effects of spa therapy with balneotherapy in OA besides stimulation of GPx activity.