Determinants of male health: the interaction of biological and social factors

The H2-receptor antagonist cimetidine is an antiulcer drug also used for the treatment of cancer due to its antiangiogenic effect. However, this drug has caused structural changes in the seminiferous tubules. Vitamin B12 has been used as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of male infertility. The supplementation of rats with vitamin B12 during cimetidine treatment has recovered the damaged seminiferous tubules, but how this vitamin restores the seminiferous epithelium has not been clarified. In this study, we evaluated whether vitamin B12 improves the number of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and sperm concentration in cimetidine-treated rats. Adult male rats were treated for 50 days as follows: cimetidine group received 100 mg kg−1 b.w. of cimetidine, cimetidine-B12 group received cimetidine and 3 μg of vitamin B12-hydroxocobalamin, B12 group received only 3 μg of vitamin, and control group received saline. Sperm concentration was calculated and historesin-embedded testes sections were used for the quantitative analyses of spermatogonia (A; In/B) and spermatocytes. TUNEL method and PCNA immunofluorescence were performed. Cimetidine caused a significant reduction in sperm concentration. TUNEL-positive spermatogonia and spermatocytes were correlated to a significant reduction in the number of these cells. In cimetidine-B12 group, sperm concentration was higher than cimetidine group and a significant increase in the number of spermatogonia (stages II–VI) was correlated to a high incidence of PCNA-immunolabeled spermatogonia and spermatocytes. The results show that the supplementation of rats with vitamin B12 during cimetidine treatment increases sperm concentration and exerts a potential effect in the recovery of spermatogonia and spermatocytes.

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin B₁₂-induced spermatogenesis recovery in cimetidine-treated rats: effect on the spermatogonia number and sperm concentration

Beltrame

Sasso-Cerri

2017

“…31 Among men with ED, 2% face a major cardiovascular event within 12 months and 11% are affected within 5 years. 42 Knowledge among Chinese men on androgen deficiency or partial androgen deficiency is insufficient. 37 Unfortunately, knowledge of men's health is also lacking among physicians.…”

Section: Awarenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

Male sexual dysfunction in Asia

Ho¹,

Singam²,

Hong³

et al. 2011

Sex has always been a taboo subject in Asian society. However, over the past few years, awareness in the field of men's sexual health has improved, and interest in sexual health research has recently increased. The epidemiology and prevalence of erectile dysfunction, hypogonadism and premature ejaculation in Asia are similar in the West. However, several issues are specific to Asian males, including culture and beliefs, awareness, compliance and the availability of traditional/complementary medicine. In Asia, sexual medicine is still in its infancy, and a concerted effort from the government, relevant societies, physicians and the media is required to propel sexual medicine to the forefront of health care. Asian Journal of Andrology (2011) 13, 537-542; doi:10.1038/aja.2010.135; published online 6 June 2011Keywords: Asia; erectile dysfunction; health; hypogonadism; male; premature ejaculation; sex INTRODUCTIONUntil recently, men's sexual health has taken a backseat in the planning and implementation of health care. When Viagra (sildanefil) burst onto the scene more than a decade ago, it opened up the floodgates for research and development on men's sexual health. As a result, a previously taboo subject was transformed into a popular topic, even in Asia. Being a conservative society, male sexual health was initially embraced with trepidation in Asia. In contrast, the more open culture of the West has seen significant progress in the field of sexual medicine. The purpose of this review is to examine the burden of men's sexual health in Asia and to identify issues that are unique to Asian men in order to develop strategies for the improvement of men's health care in Asia.

“…The analysis of modifiable risk factors included smoking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, overweight, and poor health-promoting physical activity (sedentary lifestyle). Physical activity was assessed with the Framingham questionnaire, 8 which allowed for a retrospective evaluation of the intensity of planned, aimed, and regular forms of health-promoting physical activity. Within this category, the distances covered by walking or by bike were included, under the condition that the activity lasted for >15 min at a time.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 3 6 Societal and psychological factors negatively influence sexual health of the elderly, as well. 7 8 Sexual activity at an advanced age has been ignored or even denounced. Furthermore, there is a widely accepted incorrect belief that sexual activity in cardiac patients is a risky behavior that often provokes another myocardial infarction and death, which results in patients' avoidance of engagement in sexual activity.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sexual health in Polish elderly men with coronary artery disease: importance, expectations, and reality

Rusiecki¹,

Zdrojowy

Gebala³

et al. 2020

Deterioration in overall health, hormonal disturbances, and erectile dysfunction (ED) contributes to limitations in sexual activity in the elderly, which is further limited by incorrect beliefs about the hazards of sexual activity in cardiac patients. We aimed to analyze the occurrence of ED in elderly men, their perception of the relevance of good sexual function, and their expectations of physicians. A cross-sectional study encompassed 731 patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) subjected to cardiac rehabilitation. Demographic data and data on modifiable risk factors and patient expectations were collected. ED was assessed using the IIEF-5 questionnaire. Relationships among the risk factors for ED, occurrence of ED, and patient expectations, as well as the changes in the indicators between 2012 and 2016, were analyzed. The mean age of men was 70.7 ± 5.1 years. The prevalence of ED was 93.0%. The IIEF-5 score was significantly associated with age, tobacco smoking, exercise tolerance, time to diagnosis of CAD, and treatment with calcium channel blockers and diuretics. Patients declared that sexual activity was overall important (47.9%) or very important (25.6%). Three hundred and sixty (49.3%) patients expected their physician to show interest in their sexual health, but the topic was addressed in only 12.5%. Over the past few years, we have observed an increase in the awareness and importance of sexual health as well as a significant increase in patients' expectations of physicians to show interest in their sexual health. Patients' expectations of discussing and receiving treatment for ED remain an unmet medical need.