In individuals with varicocele, DNA is damaged due to high level of oxidative stress, and varicocelectomy can overcome this effect. Damaged DNA is less liable to DNA methylation, and antioxidant therapy appears to have the potential to reduce sperm oxidative stress and DNA damage and thereby maintain DNA methylation, while effect of varicocelectomy on DNA methylation patterns has remained unclear. In the light of these considerations, we aimed to examine the effect of varicocelectomy on sperm DNA methylation and functional characteristics. Fifty-two men with left-sided varicocele (grade II &III) were included. Sperm parameters, DNA fragmentation, protamine deficiency, oxidative stress and global DNA methylation were evaluated before and 3 months after surgery. Our data show that sperm concentration, percentages of spermatozoon with abnormal morphology, DNA fragmentation, protamine deficiency and oxidative stress significantly improved after surgery. Percentage of sperm motility, global DNA methylation and intensity of DNA methylation also improved after surgery, although the differences were not significant when compared with before surgery. Categorisation of individuals to subgroups revealed that improvement of DNA methylation appears to take place in oligozoospermic individuals, which are more severely affected by state of varicocele. However, this is a preliminary study, and further studies are required to solidify this conclusion.

Background: One of the main events associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) is excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Zinc (Zn) and estradiol are considered as antioxidants that scavenge free radicals. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the protective effect of Zn and estradiol against renal IRI in ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods: Ovariectomized Wistar rats were randomly divided into five experimental groups including control (sham operated), IRI, estradiol treated +IRI, estradiol and Zn treated +IRI, Zn treated +IRI groups. The IRI was induced by clamping renal vessels for 45 minutes followed by 24 hours reperfusion. During the last 6 hours of reperfusion, urine output was collected and the measurements were performed. Results: IRI caused an increase in kidney tissue damage score (KTDS) significantly (P < 0.05). The serum levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and the creatinine (Cr) also elevated by IRI, but theses parameters attenuated by Zn treatment significantly (P < 0.05). Cr-clearance and urine flow were increased by Zn, and the percent of sodium excretion was increased by estradiol significantly (P < 0.05). The kidney tissue level of malondialdehyde was decreased by co-treatment of Zn and estradiol statistically (P < 0.05). Conclusions: Zn protected the kidney against IRI with an evident improvements of serum BUN and Cr levels, Cr clearance and tissue damage.