BackgroundCytogenetic studies have demonstrated that low levels of chronic radiation exposure can potentially increase the frequency of chromosomal aberrations and aneuploidy in somatic cells. Epidemiological studies have shown that health workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation bear an increased risk of hematological malignancies.ObjectivesTo find the influence of occupational radiation exposure on semen characteristics, including genetic and epigenetic integrity of spermatozoa in a chronically exposed population.MethodsThis cross sectional study included 134 male volunteers of which 83 were occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation and 51 were non-exposed control subjects. Semen characteristics, sperm DNA fragmentation, aneuploidy and incidence of global hypermethylation in the spermatozoa were determined and compared between the non-exposed and the exposed group.ResultsDirect comparison of the semen characteristics between the non-exposed and the exposed population revealed significant differences in motility characteristics, viability, and morphological abnormalities (P<0.05–0.0001). Although, the level of sperm DNA fragmentation was significantly higher in the exposed group as compared to the non-exposed group (P<0.05–0.0001), the incidence of sperm aneuploidy was not statistically different between the two groups. However, a significant number of hypermethylated spermatozoa were observed in the exposed group in comparison to non-exposed group (P<0.05).ConclusionsWe provide the first evidence on the detrimental effects of occupational radiation exposure on functional, genetic and epigenetic integrity of sperm in health workers. However, further studies are required to confirm the potential detrimental effects of ionizing radiation in these subjects.
Earlier reports have suggested that exposure to radiation at workplace may induce cytogenetic abnormalities. However, the association between plasma antioxidants and the cytogenetic abnormalities in these patients has not been elucidated till now. Hence, the present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between the cytogenetic abnormalities, plasma antioxidant system, and the radiation exposure levels in men who were occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. The study included 134 male volunteers, among whom 83 were occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation. Incidence of micronuclei and chromosomal aberration was assessed in lymphocytes. Total and reduced glutathione (GSH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and lipid peroxidation were assessed in the plasma. The micronuclei frequency and chromosomal aberrations were significantly higher in the exposed group in comparison to the nonexposed group ( P < 0.01-0.0001). Similarly, GSH, TAC, and SOD in the blood plasma were significantly higher in the exposed group than the nonexposed group ( P < 0.01-0.0001). However, the level of malondialdehyde, which is an indicator of lipid peroxidation, did not differ significantly between both the groups. Importantly, radiation absorbed dose exhibited a positive correlation with the incidence of micronuclei in blood lymphocytes but not with chromosomal aberrations. This study shows that the susceptibility of peripheral blood lymphocytes to chromosomal damage is associated with plasma antioxidant levels. Furthermore, increased levels of blood plasma GSH, TAC, and SOD in occupationally exposed individuals could be an adaptive measure in response to oxidative stress to protect somatic cell genetic integrity.
Both intradermal Bacillus Calmette-Guerin and tuberculin purified protein derivative hold promise in the treatment of viral warts. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin may be more effective, though it had more adverse events in our study.
Objectives:Statins by their anti-inflammatory and endothelial stabilizing effect can be beneficial in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension (PH). The present study was done to evaluate the effect of rosuvastatin on pulmonary functions and quality of life (QOL) in patients with concomitant COPD and PH.Materials and Methods:It was a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, study conducted in patients with COPD and PH. A total of sixty patients were assigned to receive either rosuvastatin 10 mg or placebo once a day in addition to their conventional treatment for 12 weeks. Routine blood investigations, pulmonary functions, echocardiogram, exercise capacity, and QOL using a questionnaire were assessed at the baseline and after 12 weeks.Results:In patients of rosuvastatin group, there was a statistically significant increase in peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) (P = 0.04) but no significant change in other pulmonary functions: Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume at 1 s (FVC, FEV1, FEV1/FVC), and echocardiogram parameters. There was a significant increase in 6-min walk test (6-min walk distance) (P = 0.03) at the end of 12 weeks. On comparing with placebo, rosuvastatin showed a significant reduction (P = 0.045) in COPD exacerbations while adverse effects did not differ.Conclusion:Statins have a favorable effect on patients with COPD and PH regarding the improvement in PEFR, COPD exacerbations, and exercise capacity. Such effects can be beneficial in these patients and more so in patients with concomitant coronary artery disease or hyperlipidemia where long-term benefits of statins have been established.
BackgroundThe influence of ejaculatory abstinence (EA) on semen parameters and subsequent reproductive outcome is still debatable; hence understanding the impact of EA on sperm structural and functional integrity may provide a valuable information on predicting successful clinical outcome.ObjectiveTo understand the influence of EA on sperm chromatin maturity, integrity, longevity and global methylation status.MethodsThis experimental prospective study included 76 ejaculates from 19 healthy volunteers who provided ejaculates after observing 1, 3, 5 and 7 days of abstinence. Sperm chromatin maturity, DNA integrity and global methylation status were assessed in the neat ejaculate. Sperm motility, DNA integrity and longevity were assessed in the processed fraction of the fresh and frozen-thawed ejaculates to determine their association with the length of EA.ResultsSpermatozoa from 1 day ejaculatory abstinence (EA-1) displayed significantly higher level of sperm chromatin immaturity in comparison to EA-3 (P < 0.05) and EA-5 (P < 0.01) whereas; the number of 5-methyl cytosine immunostained spermatozoa did not vary significantly across groups. On the other hand, in vitro incubation of processed ejaculate from EA-1 resulted in approximately 20 and 40 fold increase in the DNA fragmented spermatozoa at the end of 6 and 24h respectively (P < 0.01–0.001).ConclusionUse of short-term EA for therapeutic fertilization would be a clinically valuable strategy to improve the DNA quality. However, use of such spermatozoa after prolonged incubation in vitro should be avoided as it can carry a substantial risk of transmitting DNA fragmentation to the oocytes.
The initial fraction of the human ejaculate mainly contains prostatic secretions and the subsequent fraction holds majority of the spermatozoa suspended in the secretions from the seminal vesicle. Apart from large series of proteins, human ejaculate also contains antioxidants and reactive oxygen species that are specific to certain accessory sexual glands; however, the influence of these components on the sperm DNA integrity has not been elucidated till date. The present investigation was conducted using split (first and second) ejaculate fractions of forty-one subjects having various semen abnormalities. Sperm DNA integrity was assessed in the individual fractions by comet assay and quantified. The amount of sperm DNA damage between the split fractions is not significantly different in normozoospermic semen samples. In contrast, split fraction-2 had significantly elevated level of DNA-damaged spermatozoa in asthenozoospermic (P < 0.01) and teratozoospermic groups (P < 0.001) when compared to whole ejaculate. The split fraction analysis using various types of ejaculates demonstrated the difference in sperm DNA integrity, which has not been reported till date. Hence, in a clinical point of view, the use of initial ejaculate fraction may be considered superior to whole ejaculate in assisted conception if the DNA integrity is a concern especially in asthenozoospermic and teratozoospermic samples.
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