Food Supplements in the Treatment of Male Infertility: A Critical Review on Their Formulations and Use

Background: Dietary supplements (DS) represent a possible approach to improve sperm parameters and male fertility. A wide range of DS containing different nutrients is now available. Although many authors demonstrated benefits from some nutrients in male infertility, their real effectiveness is still under debate. The aim of this study was to critically review the composition of DS using the Italian market as sample. Materials & Methods: Active ingredients and their minimal effective daily dose (mFED) were identified through literature search. Thereafter, we created a formula to classify the expected efficacy of each DS. Considering active ingredients, their concentration and the recommended daily dose, DS were scored into three classes of expected efficacy: higher, lower and none. Results: Twenty-one DS were identified. Most of them had a large number of ingredients, frequently at doses below mFED or with unproven efficacy. Zinc was the most common ingredient of DS (70% of products), followed by selenium, arginine, coenzyme Q and folic acid. By applying our scoring system, 9.5% of DS fell in higher class, 71.4% in lower class and 19.1% in the class with no expected efficacy. Conclusions: DS marketed in Italy for male infertility frequently include effective ingredients but also a large number of substances at insufficient dose or with no proven efficacy. Manufacturers and physicians should better consider the scientific evidence on effective ingredients and their doses before formulating and prescribing these products.

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Dietary Supplements for Male Infertility: A Critical Evaluation of Their Composition

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12051472 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (5) ◽

pp. 1472

Author(s):

Andrea Garolla ◽

Gabriel Cosmin Petre ◽

Francesco Francini-Pesenti ◽

Luca De Toni ◽

Amerigo Vitagliano ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Dietary Supplements ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Coenzyme Q ◽

Critical Evaluation ◽

Lower Class ◽

Sperm Parameters ◽

Active Ingredients ◽

Wide Range ◽

Daily Dose

Dietary supplements (DS) represent a possible approach to improve sperm parameters and male fertility. A wide range of DS containing different nutrients is now available. Although many authors demonstrated benefits from some nutrients in the improvement of sperm parameters, their real effectiveness is still under debate. The aim of this study was to critically review the composition of DS using the Italian market as a sample. Active ingredients and their minimal effective daily dose (mED) on sperm parameters were identified through a literature search. Thereafter, we created a formula to classify the expected efficacy of each DS. Considering active ingredients, their concentration and the recommended daily dose, DS were scored into three classes of expected efficacy: higher, lower and none. Twenty-one DS were identified. Most of them had a large number of ingredients, frequently at doses below mED or with undemonstrated efficacy. Zinc was the most common ingredient of DS (70% of products), followed by selenium, arginine, coenzyme Q and folic acid. By applying our scoring system, 9.5% of DS fell in a higher class, 71.4% in a lower class and 19.1% in the class with no expected efficacy. DS marketed in Italy for male infertility frequently includes effective ingredients but also a large number of substances at insufficient doses or with no reported efficacy. Manufacturers and physicians should better consider the scientific evidence on effective ingredients and their doses before formulating and prescribing these products.

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Male infertility and COVID-19: Is there a relationship?

Research Society and Development ◽

10.33448/rsd-v10i6.16059 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. e46510616059

Author(s):

Alyne Barreto Mesquita de Goés ◽

Irami Araújo-Neto ◽

Natália Marcelino Araújo ◽

Pedro Vilar de Oliveira Villarim ◽

Thais Cristina Loyola da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Male Infertility ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 ◽

The Subject ◽

Direct And Indirect Impacts ◽

Indirect Impacts ◽

One Year ◽

The Impact ◽

Significant Health

In the testicles, the expression of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 receptors makes it more susceptible to infection by Sars-CoV-2 and, therefore, to male infertility with significant health problems for the patient. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the clinical pathophysiology and the mechanisms involved in the genesis of male infertility from COVID-19, through the critical analysis of the main scientific evidence on the subject presented so far. From an integrative review of the literature containing 30 studies selected using inclusion criteria in the period 2020-2021, the direct and indirect impacts on male fertility in pathophysiological and psychosocial terms were observed in this study, in addition to therapeutic options, guidelines host and efficient semiological approach. Thus, the impact of the pandemic, even after one year, is immeasurable. Additional studies to reveal the real consequences and the mechanism by which the disease can affect male fertility are still needed. It is essential to pay more attention to male genital exams in patients with COVID-19. The psychobiological consequences of the pandemic in infertile patients should not be underestimated.

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Nutraceutical management of male infertility-towards new generation therapeutics

Journal of Ideas in Health ◽

10.47108/jidhealth.vol4.iss3.148 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

pp. 428-431

Author(s):

Olabode Ekerin ◽

Calistus Okechukwu K.

Keyword(s):

Public Health ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Sperm Quality ◽

Male And Female ◽

Wide Range ◽

Significant Public Health ◽

Health Related ◽

New Generation ◽

Male Factors

Infertility is one of the most significant public health-related concerns globally. Both male and female factors can cause it. Male factors include poor sperm quality, idiopathic oligospermia, asthenozoospermia, and isolated asthenozoospermia. Many substances, collectively known as nutraceuticals, have been studied for their capacity to enhance hormonal state and sperm parameters through different mechanisms. Nutraceuticals are components in dietary supplements prescribed to prevent or treat a wide range of diseases. This article aims to highlight certain nutrients that can help improve male fertility based on recent advancements in the management of male infertility.

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The mechanisms involved in obesity-induced male infertility

Current Diabetes Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573399816666200819114032 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 ◽

Author(s):

Hamed Heydari ◽

Rafighe Ghiasi ◽

Saber Ghaderpour ◽

Rana Keyhanmanesh

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Metabolic Disease ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Reproductive Function ◽

Disease Development ◽

Significant Evidence ◽

Male Reproductive Function ◽

Negative Effect ◽

And Oxidative Stress

Introduction: Obesity resulted by imbalance between the intake of energy and energy consumption can lead to growth and metabolic disease development in people. Both in obese men and animal models, several studies indicate that obesity leads to male infertility. Objective: This review has discussed some mechanisms involved in obesity-induced male infertility. Method: Online documents were searched through Science Direct, Pubmed, Scopus, and Google Scholar websites dating from 1959 to recognize studies on obesity, kisspeptin, leptin, and infertility. Results: Obesity induced elevated inflammatory cytokines and oxidative stress can affect male reproductive functions including spermatogenesis disorders, reduced male fertility power and hormones involved in hypothalamus-pituitarygonadal axis. Conclusion: There is significant evidence that obesity resulted in male infertility. obesity has negative effect on male reproductive function via several mechanisms such as inflammation and oxidative stress.

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A Newfangled Collagenase Inhibitor Topical Formulation Based on Ethosomes with Sambucus nigra L. Extract

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph14050467 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 467

Author(s):

Ana Henriques Mota ◽

Inês Prazeres ◽

Henrique Mestre ◽

Andreia Bento-Silva ◽

Maria João Rodrigues ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biological Activities ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Release Profile ◽

Health Claims ◽

Topical Formulation ◽

Sambucus Nigra ◽

Western Asia ◽

Wide Range ◽

The Impact ◽

Over Time

Sambucus nigra L. (S. nigra) is a shrub widespread in Europe and western Asia, traditionally used in medicine, that has become popular in recent years as a potential source of a wide range of interesting bioactive compounds. The aim of the present work was to develop a topical S. nigra extract formulation based on ethosomes and thus to support its health claims with scientific evidence. S. nigra extract was prepared by an ultrasound-assisted method and then included in ethosomes. The ethosomes were analyzed in terms of their size, stability over time, morphology, entrapment capacity (EC), extract release profile, stability over time and several biological activities. The prepared ethosomes were indicated to be well defined, presenting sizes around 600 nm. The extract entrapment capacity in ethosomes was 73.9 ± 24.8%, with an interesting slow extract release profile over 24 h. The extract-loaded ethosomes presented collagenase inhibition activity and a very good skin compatibility after human application. This study demonstrates the potential use of S. nigra extract incorporated in ethosomes as a potential cosmeceutical ingredient and on further studies should be performed to better understand the impact of S. nigra compounds on skin care over the time.

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New Insights into Molecular Mechanism behind Anti-Cancer Activities of Lycopene

Molecules ◽

10.3390/molecules26133888 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (13) ◽

pp. 3888

Author(s):

Boon-Peng Puah ◽

Juriyati Jalil ◽

Ali Attiq ◽

Yusof Kamisah

Keyword(s):

Immune Cells ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Special Role ◽

Real Potential ◽

Wide Range ◽

Anti Cancer ◽

The Family ◽

The Relationship ◽

Cancer Activity ◽

Reduced Risk

Lycopene is a well-known compound found commonly in tomatoes which brings wide range of health benefits against cardiovascular diseases and cancers. From an anti-cancer perspective, lycopene is often associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer and people often look for it as a dietary supplement which may help to prevent cancer. Previous scientific evidence exhibited that the anti-cancer activity of lycopene relies on its ability to suppress oncogene expressions and induce proapoptotic pathways. To further explore the real potential of lycopene in cancer prevention, this review discusses the new insights and perspectives on the anti-cancer activities of lycopene which could help to drive new direction for research. The relationship between inflammation and cancer is being highlighted, whereby lycopene suppresses cancer via resolution of inflammation are also discussed herein. The immune system was found to be a part of the anti-cancer system of lycopene as it modulates immune cells to suppress tumor growth and progression. Lycopene, which is under the family of carotenoids, was found to play special role in suppressing lung cancer.

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Immigration and economic mobility

Journal of Population Economics ◽

10.1007/s00148-021-00851-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Maria F. Hoen ◽

Simen Markussen ◽

Knut Røed

Keyword(s):

Labor Market ◽

Low Income ◽

Labor Market Outcomes ◽

Lower Class ◽

Low Income Countries ◽

Market Outcomes ◽

Wide Range ◽

Class Background ◽

The Rich ◽

Relative Prime

AbstractWe examine how immigration affects natives’ relative prime-age labor market outcomes by economic class background, with class background established on the basis of parents’ earnings rank. Exploiting alternative sources of variation in immigration patterns across time and space, we find that immigration from low-income countries reduces intergenerational mobility and thus steepens the social gradient in natives’ labor market outcomes, whereas immigration from high-income countries levels it. These findings are robust with respect to a wide range of identifying assumptions. The analysis is based on high-quality population-wide administrative data from Norway, which is one of the rich-world countries with the most rapid rise in the immigrant population share over the past two decades. Our findings suggest that immigration can explain a considerable part of the observed relative decline in economic performance among natives with a lower-class background.

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Foeniculum vulgareMill: A Review of Its Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology, Contemporary Application, and Toxicology

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2014/842674 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 2014 ◽

pp. 1-32 ◽

Cited By ~ 90

Author(s):

Shamkant B. Badgujar ◽

Vainav V. Patel ◽

Atmaram H. Bandivdekar

Keyword(s):

Traditional Medicine ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

New Drugs ◽

Future Research ◽

Foeniculum Vulgare ◽

Wide Range ◽

Research Findings ◽

Valuable Compounds

Foeniculum vulgareMill commonly called fennel has been used in traditional medicine for a wide range of ailments related to digestive, endocrine, reproductive, and respiratory systems. Additionally, it is also used as a galactagogue agent for lactating mothers. The review aims to gather the fragmented information available in the literature regarding morphology, ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicology ofFoeniculum vulgare. It also compiles available scientific evidence for the ethnobotanical claims and to identify gaps required to be filled by future research. Findings based on their traditional uses and scientific evaluation indicates thatFoeniculum vulgareremains to be the most widely used herbal plant. It has been used for more than forty types of disorders. Phytochemical studies have shown the presence of numerous valuable compounds, such as volatile compounds, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, fatty acids, and amino acids. Compiled data indicate their efficacy in severalin vitroandin vivopharmacological properties such as antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antinociceptive, antipyretic, antispasmodic, antithrombotic, apoptotic, cardiovascular, chemomodulatory, antitumor, hepatoprotective, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, and memory enhancing property.Foeniculum vulgarehas emerged as a good source of traditional medicine and it provides a noteworthy basis in pharmaceutical biology for the development/formulation of new drugs and future clinical uses.

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Importance of Genetic Factors in Male Fertility Disorders, Clinical Relevance of Epigenetic Markers in Male Infertility

Revista de Chimie ◽

10.37358/rc.19.7.7381 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 70 (7) ◽

pp. 2566-2570

Author(s):

Dragos Botezatu ◽

Cristina Popescu ◽

Andrei-Dan Korodi ◽

Cristian Furau ◽

Gheorghe Furau ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dna Methylation ◽

Male Infertility ◽

Male Fertility ◽

Complex Problem ◽

The Body ◽

Control Group ◽

Global Methylation ◽

Methylation Of Dna ◽

Genome Methylation ◽

Methylation Patterns

Male infertility is a common and complex problem affecting 1 out of 20 men. Despite extensive research in this area, in many cases, the underlying causes are unknown. Epigenetic changes control a series of processes within the body, including male fertility. Classification of infertile men using a more detailed analysis of DNA methylation patterns could reveal a new level of low rates of fertilization, implantation, or pregnancy. In this context, it seemed to us to use the techniques available to evaluate the degree of global methylation of DNA in infertile patients who have modified sperm counts, but also those who apparently do not have a clear cause of infertility. For this we used the Quest 5mC-Zymoresaerch-ELISA kit that can detect within about 5 hours the global level of genome methylation. Claims on which common illnesses have an epigenetic base are still open to speculation, but if true, it can imprint a new direction in medicine. Our data, although from a pilot study, are consistent with those in the literature. A recent study has shown that DNA methylation levels were significantly higher in oligoasthenoteratozoospermia patients than in the control group and the increase in global DNA methylation and histone retention in men with oligoasthenoteratozoospermia.

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Phytochemicals: A Promising Weapon in the Arsenal against Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10091044 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (9) ◽

pp. 1044

Author(s):

Bahman Khameneh ◽

N. A. Michael Eskin ◽

Milad Iranshahy ◽

Bibi Sedigheh Fazly Bazzaz

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Scientific Evidence ◽

Antimicrobial Activities ◽

Clinical Aspects ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Global Public Health ◽

Health Issues ◽

Antibiotic Resistant ◽

Safe Strategy ◽

Wide Range

The extensive usage of antibiotics and the rapid emergence of antimicrobial-resistant microbes (AMR) are becoming important global public health issues. Many solutions to these problems have been proposed, including developing alternative compounds with antimicrobial activities, managing existing antimicrobials, and rapidly detecting AMR pathogens. Among all of them, employing alternative compounds such as phytochemicals alone or in combination with other antibacterial agents appears to be both an effective and safe strategy for battling against these pathogens. The present review summarizes the scientific evidence on the biochemical, pharmacological, and clinical aspects of phytochemicals used to treat microbial pathogenesis. A wide range of commercial products are currently available on the market. Their well-documented clinical efficacy suggests that phytomedicines are valuable sources of new types of antimicrobial agents for future use. Innovative approaches and methodologies for identifying plant-derived products effective against AMR are also proposed in this review.

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