Resistin in Human Seminal Plasma: Relationship with Lipid Peroxidation, CAT Activity, GSH/GSSG Ratio, and Semen Parameters

Abstract

Resistin is an adipokine involved in inflammation and able to induce the expression of other proinflammatory cytokines. It is known that, in human semen, resistin is correlated with inflammatory cytokines and sperm quality. The aim of this prospective study was to explore the potential relationship between resistin, lipid peroxidation (LPO), catalase (CAT) activity, and reduced and oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio in semen samples of infertile patients with leukocytospermia (no. 19), infertile patients with varicocele (no. 17), and fertile men (no. 17). Semen analysis was performed following the WHO guidelines, and sperm apoptosis and necrosis were evaluated with annexin V/propidium iodide assay. Seminal plasma samples were used to determine resistin levels by an immunological method, MDA concentration by a HPLC analysis with UV detection, GSH/GSSG ratio by an enzymatic method, CAT activity by a spectrophotometric method. The results showed that, in both groups of infertile patients, semen parameters were significantly reduced (P < 0.001) and sperm apoptosis and necrosis percentages were increased. Resistin levels were significantly higher in leukocytospermia and varicocele groups (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively) as well as MDA concentration (P < 0.001) compared to controls. The MDA level was also significantly increased in the leukocytospermia group versus the varicocele group (P < 0.05). The GSH/GSSG ratio was higher in fertile controls than the leukocytospermia group (P < 0.05) and the varicocele group (P < 0.001) and in the leukocytospermia group versus the varicocele group (P < 0.05). Both the leukocytospermia and varicocele groups showed increased values of CAT activities (P < 0.001) than controls. Briefly, the correlation between variables, calculated in the whole patient population, showed that resistin levels positively correlated with MDA levels, CAT activity, sperm apoptosis, and necrosis and negatively with sperm parameters and GSH/GSSG ratio. These results support an active role of resistin in an inflammatory process causing LPO, increase of CAT activity, and decrease of GSH/GSSG ratio in seminal plasma of infertile men vs. fertile controls.

Relationship Between Semen IL-6, IL-33 and Malondialdehyde Generation in Human Seminal Plasma and Spermatozoa

“…The results of this research matched those reported in the literature concerning the negative relationship between semen cytokine concentrations and sperm parameters [ 5 , 6 , 34 ]. There is clear evidence that cytokines influence spermatozoa functions and can modulate pro-oxidant and antioxidant activities in the male genital tract [ 35 ].…”

Alleviating oxidative damage-induced telomere attrition: a potential mechanism for inhibition by folic acid of apoptosis in neural stem cells

“…Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between ROS production and antioxidant defenses, contributes to aging and the pathogenesis of numerous diseases including neurodegenerative diseases [30][31][32][33]. SOD, CAT and GSH-PX are antioxidant enzymes that contribute importantly to cells' capacity for surviving oxidative stress [34,35]. The severity of oxidative stress in cultured cells can be assessed by measuring intracellular ROS, LPO and MDA, as well as by measuring the release of LDH from cells to the medium.…”

Dracaena arborea (Dracaenaceae) Increases Sexual Hormones and Sperm Parameters, Lowers Oxidative Stress, and Ameliorates Testicular Architecture in Rats with 3 Weeks of Experimental Varicocele

“…There is a strong relationship between VCL and sperm dysfunctions [ 7 , 36 , 37 ]. By altering the normal testis physiology, VCL disrupts spermatogenesis that leads to low spermatozoa quantity and quality [ 11 ].…”

“…Similarly, Reza et al [9] and Watcho et al [16] reported, respectively, that P. microphylla and D. arborea increased the testis and epididymis weights of VCL rats. ere is a strong relationship between VCL and sperm dysfunctions [7,36,37]. By altering the normal testis physiology, VCL disrupts spermatogenesis that leads to low spermatozoa quantity and quality [11].…”