Efficacy of combined antioxidant therapy in male subfertility-A systematic review and meta-analysis

Antioxidant therapy is a potentially promising approach to improve clinical outcomes for couples undergoing assisted reproduction techniques long-term. The review aims to (a) collate evidence for the effectiveness of combined oral antioxidant supplementation, including a head-to-head comparison in the treatment of male subfertility, and (b) investigate whether other intervention features, including duration, specific combinations, or dosage affect clinical outcomes in this population. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the effectiveness of combined antioxidants on male subfertility, electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, PSYCHINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) were searched. We also searched for unpublished data and references of identified articles. Two reviewers screened eligible studies according to pre-defined criteria and relevant data extracted. The Jadad scale assessed the quality of studies. The study used RevMan version 5.4.1 Meta-analysis software to analyze the effect of combination antioxidants for each outcome measure. Metadata was presented as relative risks for dichotomous outcomes and as standardized mean differences (or mean differences) for continuous outcomes. The systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to report available evidence of whether combination antioxidant is effective and safe in sub-fertile men undergoing assisted reproductive techniques. Also, this review highlighted whether any specific oral antioxidant combinations, dosage, or duration of therapy have a major influence on the clinical outcomes.

Reparative and antioxidant therapy of chemical eye burns

Цель работы — изучить эффективность комплексного лечения химических ожогов глаз с использованием фотодинамической терапии (ФДТ) и инстилляций виксипина по данным импрессионной цитологии (ИЦ) и биохимическим показателям слезной жидкости (СЖ). Материал и методы. Обследовано и пролечено 104 пациента (146 глаз) в возрасте от 18 до 72 лет с ожогом глаз I, II и III степени. К стандартному лечению добавлена ФДТ (I группа, 35 пациентов, 48 глаз) и сочетание ФДТ с инстилляциями препарата Виксипин (Солофарм, Россия) — глазные капли (II группа, 32 пациента, 46 глаз). Группу сравнения (стандартная терапия) составили 37 пациентов (52 глаза). Эффективность лечения оценивалась с помощью ИЦ и биохимических анализов СЖ на 7-й день лечения.Результаты. Исходные данные ИЦ свидетельствуют о смещении показателей цитограммы в сторону ядерных структур, во всех группах ядерно-цитоплазматическое отношение (ЯЦО) составило в среднем 0,068. В результате лечения у пациентов основных (I и II) групп определялось преобладание репаративных процессов в эпителиальных клетках, при этом ЯЦО увеличилось до 0,290 ± 0,010 в I и 0,320 ± 0,014 во II группе, что превышало в 3,9 и 4,5 раза соответственно аналогичные показатели в группе сравнения. Уровень стабильных метаболитов оксида азота в СЖ при добавлении виксипина достоверно снизился по отношению к значениям до лечения в 1,59 раза и составил 4,21 ± 0,32 мк моль/л. Данный показатель оказался в 1,23 раза ниже, чем в I группе, и приблизился к нормативным показателям (3,52 ± 0,23), превышая их в 1,19 раза. Заключение. Добавление ФДТ и виксипина к стандартному лечению химических ожогов глаз усиливает регенерацию ожоговой поверхности, нормализует показатели анти

Toxicity of Antioxidant Supplements in Patients with Male Factor Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Treating oxidative stress through antioxidant therapy has been considered an appealing strategy in the management of male infertility. However, evidence regarding the toxicity of antioxidant therapy is controversial. We summarized the available clinical evidence on the toxicity associated with the use of antioxidants in infertile males. A systematic review was performed in March 2021. We included randomized controlled trials evaluating the incidence of adverse events in male patients with infertility receiving antioxidant therapy. Thirteen studies involving 1999 male patients were identified. Antioxidant supplementation in patients with male factor infertility was associated with a statistically significantly increased risk of nausea (Odds Ratio: 2.16, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.05–4.43, p = 0.036), headache (Odds Ratio: 3.05, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.59– 5.85 p = 0.001), and dyspepsia (Odds Ratio: 4.12, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.43–11.85, p = 0.009) compared to a placebo. Treatment discontinuation due to adverse events was not significantly higher in patients taking antioxidants compared to a placebo (Odds Ratio: 2.29, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.76–6.88, p = 0.139). When antioxidant supplementation is considered, a more accurate risk/benefit analysis is warranted.

Antimicrobial and antioxidant therapy with bioactive plant molecules on Fe3O4 phytohybrid nanoplatforms

Background Nanobiomedicines have gained increasing attention for their potential to improve efficacy and are emerging as a promising therapeutic paradigm. Magnetic nanoconjugates loaded with bioactive drugs have the advantage of sustained circulation in the bloodstream and significantly reduced toxicity of therapeutic agents in a precise manner. The well-developed surface chemistry of Fe3O4 has led to the development better tools, promoting them as nanoplatforms with potential technological applications in biomedical sciences. Results Fe3O4 phytohybrids with Laxmitaru extract as the primary coating and loaded with Eugenol and Ylang-Ylang essential oils were successfully synthesized. The X-ray diffraction technique has revealed the high purity nanoparticle materials, as no additional impurity peaks were observed. Fourier transform infra-red spectra have confirmed the presence of a primary coating of Laxmitaru extract and a secondary layer of essential oil, as additional peaks and broadening are observed in drug-loaded Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Magnetic susceptibility values indicate the material's superparamagnetic nature. Transmission electron microscopy images have ensured that the particles were spherical, monodispersed, and in the range of 4.30 nm to 13.98 nm. Antimicrobial studies show inhibition zones on the microorganisms S. Aureus and E. Coli with enhanced activity. Drug entrapment efficiency studies revealed the encapsulation of drug molecules onto Fe3O4-Laxmitaru composite. Dynamic light scattering studies confirm the increase in hydrodynamic size, indicating the loading of essential oils and the decrease in polydispersity index ensures monodispersed nanoparticles. The antioxidant study showed the essential oils retained their antioxidant activity even after they were conjugated on Fe3O4-Lax composites. Conclusions Laxmitaru phytochemical-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully conjugated with Eugenol and Ylang-Ylang essential oils. Our results provide a model therapeutic approach for the development of new alternative strategies for enhancing antimicrobial and antioxidant therapy, with potential advantages in the field of nanobiomedicine.

Are Antioxidants Useful in Preventing the Progression of Chronic Kidney Disease?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive impairment of renal function for more than three months that affects 15% of the adult population. Because oxidative stress is involved in its pathogenesis, antioxidants are under study for the prophylaxis of CKD progression. The objective of this work was to meta-analyze the efficacy of antioxidant therapy in CKD patients and to identify the most effective candidate antioxidants. Our meta-analysis showed that, despite being quite heterogeneous, overall antioxidant therapy apparently reduced CKD progression. Pentoxifylline and bardoxolone methyl demonstrated a robust and statistically significant protection, while other products showed a favorable but non-significant tendency, due to a high interindividual variability. Off-target (i.e., antioxidant-independent) effects, such as body weight reduction and heart failure-associated blood dilution, might totally or partially explain the protection provided by effective antioxidants. This potential pleiotropy introduces uncertainty on the role of oxidative stress in CKD progression and on antioxidant therapy in its prevention, which needs to be further investigated. Independently, identification of factors determining the nephroprotective effect of each candidate on each patient is thus necessary for a prospectively personalized antioxidant therapy. Finally, pentoxifylline should be further explored for the prophylaxis of CKD progression.

The role of antioxidant therapy in enhancing the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technology programs

Introduction. Infertility, i.e. the inability to achieve a clinical pregnancy within 12 months of a regular sexual life without contraception, is a current medical problem and affects up to 15-25% of married couples in Western countries.Objective. To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic prescription of antioxidants in preparation for cycles of assisted reproductive technology (ART) depending on the level of anthropogenic chemicals in the patient’s body.Materials and methods. A randomized clinical trial included 144 patients with infertility who applied for ART. Prior to ART treatment, all patients were determined the level of anthropogenic chemical substances (ACS) in the blood by mass spectrometry. The concentration of the following substances was determined: mercury, cadmium, lead, and bisphenol A. The patients were divided into groups depending on the level of ACS: group 1 consisted of 72 patients with high level of ACS (5 points or more), group 2 consisted of 72 patients with low level of ACS. Antioxidant therapy in the experimental group was performed for 2 months before ART. Coenzyme Q10 300 mg/day orally, eicosapentaenoic acid 300 mg/day orally, and docosahexaenoic acid 200 mg/day orally were used as antioxidant therapy. All patients in the control group did not take antioxidant medications for at least 6 months before entering the ART cycle.Results. When evaluating the clinical outcomes of ART cycles, a positive effect of antioxidant therapy was noted in both patients with high and low levels of ACS; as a result, the chances of pregnancy were 2.3 times higher in the group of patients who received antioxidant therapy compared to the control group. The number of patients treated was 5 for both the total patient group and the subgroups depending on the level of ACS.Conclusion. The results obtained allow us to recommend the prescription of antioxidant therapy to prepare patients for ART programs.