Oxidative stress, decreased antioxidant capacity, and impaired sperm mitochondrial function are the main factors contributing to male infertility. The goal of the present study was to assess the effect of the per os treatment with Carni-Q-Nol (440 mg L-carnitine fumarate + 30 mg ubiquinol + 75 IU vitamin E + 12 mg vitamin C in each softsule) in infertile men on sperm parameters, concentration of antioxidants (coenzyme Q10,  CoQ10-TOTAL, γ, and α-tocopherols), and oxidative stress in blood plasma and seminal fluid. Forty infertile men were supplemented daily with two or three Carni-Q-Nol softsules. After 3 and 6 months of treatment, improved sperm density was observed (by 48.9% and 80.9%, resp.) and after 3-month treatment the sperm pathology decreased by 25.8%. Concentrations of CoQ10-TOTAL (ubiquinone + ubiquinol) and α-tocopherol were significantly increased and the oxidative stress was decreased. In conclusion, the effect of supplementary therapy with Carni-Q-Nol showed benefits on sperm function in men, resulting in 45% pregnancies of their women. We assume that assessment of oxidative stress, CoQ10-TOTAL, and α-tocopherol in blood plasma and seminal fluid could be important metabolic biomarkers in both diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.

Abstract:Male infertility is one of the most stressful factors of couples, being present in about 40% cases. It is usually caused by a low number of sperm (oligozoospermia) or poor sperm motility (asthenozoospermia). The sperm motility is used as an indicator of semen quality and male infertility. To the impairment of male reproduction health can contribute genetic, nutritional and environmental factors, smoking and drugs. It is well documented that excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production decreases sperm motility, impairs sperm function, damages the morphology of spermatozoa (1, 2). To the decreased sperm motility contribute also disturbances of sperm mitochondrial function and energy production, low levels of coenzyme Q 10 and carnitine, as well as sperm mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) defects. The origin of sperm dysfunction, however, is not well understood. Background: Oxidative stress has been established as a major factor in the pathogenesis of male infertility. Low level of coenzyme Q 10 contributes to the decreased sperm motility, which plays a vital role in sperm mitochondrial energy production and neutralization of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The aim of the present study was to fi nd out, if an assessment of coenzyme Q 10-TOTAL (CoQ 10-TOTAL ), α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol and oxidative stress could contribute to the diagnosis of infertility in men. Subjects and methods: Two groups of infertile men, according to sperm motility (a+b and b+c) were included in the study. CoQ 10-TOTAL , α-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol in plasma and seminal fl uid, and parameter of oxidative stress (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances -TBARS) in plasma were determined. Results: Higher sperm density and decreased sperm pathology were found in group a+b vs b+c (class a and bfast and weak forward motility, class c -nonprogressive motility). Concentrations of CoQ 10-TOTAL and α-tocopherol were signifi cantly increased in seminal fl uid of groups a+b vs b+c, opposite results were estimated in plasma. Concentrations of γ-tocopherol in plasma and seminal fl uid of both groups were similar. Plasmatic TBARS concentrations were increased in both groups of infertile men. Conclusion: We suppose that incorporation of oxidative stress assessment, CoQ 10-TOTAL and α-tocopherol concentrations in seminal fl uid and plasma into routine andrology can play an important role for the diagnosis and targeted therapy of male infertility (Tab. 1, Ref. 16). Full Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus) belongs to the best known wood‐destroying fungi. In the nature it grows on trunks and stumps of deciduous trees but nowadays it is also cultivated on modified lignocellulose substrates in oyster mushroom farms. It possesses a very pleasant flavour and piquant taste. As most fungi it contains up to 90% water, but owing to its protein and amino acids content, low fat content, content of B‐group vitamins and a wide spectrum of mineral substances it represents a good source of biologically valuable substances for human nutrition. The saccharidic complex of oyster mushroom is characterized by low content of digestible carbohydrates and by a relatively high content of polysaccharides which take part in formation of edible fibre. In the past mushrooms were generally regarded as less valuable foodstuffs especially for their low energetic value and high fibre content. With respect to the present knowledge their importance is coming to the foreground [1]. Although some authors report that the mineral composition of oyster mushroom is biologically highly valuable — because of its content of macroelements, but especially because of numerous microelements that began to be appreciated only recently — relatively few data are available [2–10]. This paper will contribute to enhancing information in this field.

INTRODUCTION: TRT in men with testosterone defi ciency syndrome (TDS) had multiple positive effects and restore a quality of life of affected men. Polyglobulia is the most common dose-limiting adverse effect of TRT, but the mechanisms of TRT-mediated erythropoesis remain unclear. In this study, we evaluated long term haematological side effects of TRT: polyglobulia, elevated hemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht). METHODS: In a cross-sectional descriptive study, the authors treated 69 men with TDS and the average age 59 years and the follow-up period 81.32 months. The men were treated with three-month i.m. injections of 1000 mg testosterone undecanoate. The elevated values were: Hb above 176 g/l, Ht above 0.52 and erythrocytes (Ery) above 6.0 mil/mcl. RESULTS: 21 out of 69 patients (30.43 %) had an increased Hb, Ht or Ery during treatment. The interesting fact was that only fi ve men (7.24 %) had increased the number of Ery (true polyglobulia). No men with elevated level of Hb, Ht or Ery had other side effects (like thrombosis). CONCLUSION: It is still not clear, why in some men on TRT the feedback does not work and bone marrow production of red blood cells continues even if the upper limit is reached. Authors expect that only 7% of men had true polyglobulia, other men had elevated Hb or Ht. Based on our own experience we recommend a regular check of men on TRT on order to avoid possible serious side-effects (Tab. 1, Fig. 2

Preclinical data have shown that neurotransmitters released in peripheral tissues from nerve endings may infl uence carcinogenesis, affect the tumor microenvironment, and directly potentiate both proliferation and migration of cancer cells. This stimulatory role of the nervous system in cancer initiation and progression has also been documented by clinical studies investigating the effect of attenuated signaling from nerves innervating cancer tissue. However, compared to preclinical studies, clinical studies are rarer and some of them have ambiguous results. In this retrospective analysis, to assess the effect of the nervous system on cancer, we analyzed published clinical studies investigating the incidence of cancer in patients with spinal cord injury or pheochromocytoma. Our fi ndings support a concept of the neurobiology of cancer based on the assumption that the nervous system affects cancer initiation and progression (Ref. 60).