Association between nitric oxide and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine levels in semen of diabetic men

Abstract

The incidence of diabetes mellitus is rapidly increasing in the world. One of the complications of diabetes includes disturbance of the reproductive tract, such as infertility, erectile dysfunction, and endocrine disruption. Nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical produced by most cells including the human male and female reproductive tracts. NO has a dual role where low concentrations are essential for homeostatic cellular biology and physiology, but high levels have detrimental effects relating to cellular damage from this reactive oxygen species (ROS). 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is an oxidized nucleoside of DNA that is currently used as a biomarker of cellular oxidative stress, where urinary levels can correlate with diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between nitrate/nitrite levels and 8-OHdG levels in the semen of diabetic and non-diabetic men. Concentrations of nitrate/nitrite and 8-OHdG were examined in seminal plasma of 32 diabetic and 35 non-diabetic men. The level of nitrate/nitrite was assayed by colorimetric reaction and 8-OHdG was measured by ELISA. Our results showed that the seminal plasma nitrate/nitrite levels were significantly higher in the diabetic group (p < 0. 01). There were also significantly higher 8-OHdG levels in diabetic men compared to non-diabetic men (p < 0.05). Regression analysis indicated that in diabetic men, nitrate/nitrite levels correlated well with 8-OHdG levels (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). A significant trend between nitrate/nitrite and sperm parameters was not observed. Our data suggests that high levels of nitrate/nitrite in the semen of diabetic men is suggestive of reactive oxygen species induced DNA damage that is correlated with 8-OHdG levels but not sperm parameters. These results support the further investigation of NO and 8-OHdG as biomarkers for assessing male infertility.

Evaluation of Semen Quality in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Sudanese Patients Compared to Non-Diabetic Subjects

“…This decrease in semen quality might be as a result of hormonal alterations, or morphological changes which occur in the testis which includes an increase in the interstitial collagen, thickness of the seminiferous tubules, peritubular fibrosis, intertubular fibrosis or gonadal disorders which result from poor circulation to the testis induced by DM. A high prevalence of abnormal sperm motility and morphology was also reported before in patients with DM [12,13]. These findings agree with Delfino et al (2007) [8] that reported significantly lower results of the percent of normal sperm morphology and motility in diabetic patients compared to the non-diabetic group.…”

Nitric oxide, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine, and total antioxidant capacity in human seminal plasma of infertile men and their relationship with sperm parameters

“…Some studies have found a negative correlation of 8-OHdG with TAS and SOD in seminal plasma [28]. Amiri et al [35] also reported NO levels are positively associated with 8-OHdG levels in seminal plasma of diabetic men.…”

A paternal environmental legacy: Evidence for epigenetic inheritance through the male germ line

“…Sertoli cells and leucocytes, include altered ROS concentrations. Various factors such as long-term exposures to chemicals or pesticides [56, 59], heavy metals [61], low dose ionizing radiation [93], chronic conditions such as diabetes [136, 137] and obesity [113, 114], or increasing levels of fatty acids [112] can promote ROS generation. Changes in ROS may modulate sperm DNA methylation and chromatin structure, ultimately influencing regulation of imprinted genes important in growth and development; or other genes, such as those responsible for maintenance of genome stability, altering DNA damage responses and repair mechanisms.…”