Increased expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha in the internal spermatic vein of patients with varicocele.

Varicocele is recognized as a cause of male infertility. Testis hypoxia may be one of the possible mechanisms of varicocele. We examined whether tissue hypoxia occurred in the ISV of patients with varicocele by detecting the expression of HIF-1alpha. The study group consisted of 8 patients with grade 3 left varicocele. The control group consisted of 6 volunteers with left indirect inguinal hernia. Using a left inguinal surgical incision, a 1 cm section of ISV was resected from each patient in both groups as specimens for immunoblotting and immunohistochemical staining of HIF-1alpha. Results were analyzed using Student's t test. HIF-1alpha immunoblots from both groups revealed a single band. The relative intensity of the HIF-1alpha protein band was 10.92 +/- 2.70 in the control group and 73.15 +/- 8.93 in patients with varicocele (ie 7-fold higher). HIF-1alpha expression in the ISV of patients with varicocele was significantly higher than in the control group. This directly shows that hypoxia related pathophysiological changes have occurred in the ISV of patients with varicocele and that hypoxia may have also occurred in the testicular tissue. Thus, it would be of interest to investigate whether decreasing HIF-1alpha activation and testis hypoxia could reduce the recurrence of varicocele. To our knowledge, this is the first report on HIF-1alpha expression in human ISV. Additional studies will be necessary to clarify the relationship between testis hypoxia and male infertility in patients with varicocele.

被引量：25 发表：2006

Renal failure in association with severe liver diseases and obstructive jaundice (hepatorenal syndrome).

被引量：- 发表：1961

Effects of 5 different diets on urinary risk factors for calcium oxalate kidney stone formation: evidence of different renal handling mechanisms in different race groups.

Since the incidence of renal calculi in the South African black population is extremely rare while in white subjects it occurs at the same rate as elsewhere in the western world, we investigated the possibility that different renal handling mechanisms in response to different dietary challenges might occur in the 2 race groups. We administered 5 different dietary protocols, including low calcium, high oxalate, vitamin C, high salt and lacto-vegetarian, to 10 healthy male subjects from each race group. We collected 24-hour urine at baseline and after 4 days on the prescribed diet which were analyzed for biochemical and physicochemical risk factors. Dietary intake was controlled throughout the experimental period. A 24-hour dietary recall questionnaire was recorded at baseline and analyzed using food composition tables. Statistical analysis of variance was performed on all the data. The low calcium diet caused statistically significant changes only in black subjects, which consisted of urinary oxalate increase (0.17 to 0.23 mmol./24 hours, p = 0.01), relative supersaturation of calcium oxalate decrease (1.88 to 0.97, p = 0.03) and relative supersaturation of brushite increase (0.85 to 1.69, p = 0.03). The high oxalate diet caused statistically significant changes in both race groups but these changes were different in the 2 groups. In white subjects urinary pH increased (6.24 to 6.62, p = 0.01), potassium excretion increased (40.01 to 73.49, p = 0.01) and relative supersaturation of brushite increased (1.34 to 2.12, p = 0.05). In black subjects urinary citrate increased (1.94 to 2.99 mmol./24 hours, p = 0.01). Clinically unimportant changes occurred in both race groups after the other 3 diets. Renal handling of dietary calcium and oxalate in South African black and white subjects is different and may explain the different stone incidence in the 2 race groups.

被引量：- 发表：2002

Efficacy and safety of fluoxetine, sertraline and clomipramine in patients with premature ejaculation: a double-blind, placebo controlled study.

We compared the efficacy and safety of fluoxetine, sertraline, clomipramine and placebo for the oral pharmacotherapy of premature ejaculation. The study included 36 men (mean age 44 years) who had intravaginal ejaculation latency of less than 2 minutes. Patients took each of 3 drugs and the placebo consecutively during a 4-week period per each agent. Efficacy and side effects data were obtained by a self-reported patient questionnaire that rated intravaginal ejaculation latency, sexual satisfaction of patient and partner, and possible side effects. After 4 weeks of treatment with placebo, fluoxetine, sertraline and clomipramine the mean intravaginal ejaculation latency time was significantly increased from 46 seconds to 2.27 minutes, 2.30 minutes, 4.27 minutes and 5.75 minutes, respectively (all p <0.01). However, treatment with clomipramine or sertraline caused a greater increase in mean intravaginal ejaculation latency time than fluoxetine or placebo (p <0.01). Patient sexual satisfaction rate after treatment with clomipramine was significantly higher (p <0.05) than with sertraline, fluoxetine or placebo. Partner sexual satisfaction rate was also higher with clomipramine than with sertraline or fluoxetine but no statistical difference was found. The incidence of side effects with clomipramine was significantly higher (p <0.05) compared to that of fluoxetine, sertraline and placebo, while no significant difference among sertraline, fluoxetine and placebo was noted. In men with premature ejaculation clomipramine was the most useful drug in terms of efficacy. Treatment with sertraline was nearly as effective and had a lower incidence of side effects.

被引量：31 发表：1998

Clomipramine and sexual function in men with premature ejaculation and controls.

We determined whether clomipramine taken as needed increases ejaculation latency in men with premature ejaculation and controls. The study included 8 patients with primary premature ejaculation, 6 with premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction, and 8 controls. A prospective, double-blind, placebo controlled, crossover design was used that included 2, 3-week periods with clomipramine and placebo. During treatment phases subjects took either 25 mg. clomipramine or placebo as needed, that is 12 to 24 hours before anticipated sexual activity (coitus or masturbation). Subjects also visited the laboratory during these phases for evaluation of sexual response using visual erotic stimulation with and without vibration to the penis. Daily logs of sexual activities were maintained during treatment phases. Clomipramine significantly increased the latency to ejaculation during sexual activity (coitus or masturbation) from approximately 2 to 8 minutes in men with primary premature ejaculation. There were no significant effects in controls and men with premature ejaculation plus erectile dysfunction. Laboratory assessment indicated that men with primary premature ejaculation were better able to control ejaculatory response with clomipramine therapy. In these men clomipramine also resulted in increased satisfaction with sex life and relationship. Clomipramine inhibited nocturnal penile tumescence in all subjects. Clomipramine (25 mg. as needed) effectively increases ejaculatory latency in men with primary premature ejaculation, while treatment is not effective in those with premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction.

被引量：14 发表：1996