Kamil Rodak

Male infertility accounts for approximately 50% of reproductive failures, yet its diagnosis and understanding of underlying mechanisms remain limited. The present observational case–control study aimed to examine seminal plasma concentrations of prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), 6-keto-prostaglandin F_1α (6-keto-PGF_1α), F₂-isoprostane, superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD₁), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX₁), nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS₁), and their ratios, in fertile (n = 22, aged 24–45) and infertile (n = 250, aged 21–47) men, including analyses across specific infertile subgroups, using ELISA assays. Overall, no significant differences were observed between fertile and infertile men. However, subgroup analyses revealed notable differences: PGE₂ levels were elevated in asthenozoospermic compared to normozoospermic infertile men (14.23 µg/mL vs. 3.52 µg/mL, p = 0.030), 6-keto-PGF_1α levels were higher in teratozoospermic compared to azoospermic individuals (184.97 ng/mL vs. 102.49 ng/mL, p = 0.040), and the PGE₂/6-keto-PGF_1α ratio showed the greatest intergroup variability. Correlation analyses indicated associations between antioxidant enzymes, prostaglandins and standard semen parameters. These findings provide novel insights into seminal plasma biochemistry and highlight specific parameters and mechanisms that may contribute to functional impairments in infertile men.

Infertility affects approximately 17.5% of the adult population, with the male factor contributing to nearly half of the cases. Seminal plasma has emerged as a potential source of biomarkers and insights into the mechanisms of male infertility; however, the significance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in this body fluid remains insufficiently explored. The main objectives of the present observational study were to compare selected PUFA (linoleic acid (LA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), γ-linolenic acid (GLA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)) concentrations and ratios in seminal plasma between fertile (n = 22, aged 21–47) and infertile (n = 250, aged 24–45) men, as well as within infertile subgroups, including idiopathic, to investigate their clinical utility and correlations with semen parameters. An optimized extraction procedure and a validated gas chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (GC–MS/MS) method were employed to determine the concentrations of PUFAs in seminal plasma. Nonparametric tests, including Mann–Whitney U test, ANOVA rank test followed by Tukey’s post hoc test, Spearman’s rank test, and ROC curves were used for analyses. Among the twenty-one examined parameters, nine (LA, GLA, EPA, DHA, ALA/LA, LA/AA, EPA/ALA, EPA/GLA, EPA/AA) exhibited significant differences between fertile control group and infertile patients (0.493 vs. 0.762 μg/mL, p = 0.007; 0.029 vs. 0.035 μg/mL, p = 0.005; 0.007 vs. 0.009 μg/mL, p < 0.001; 1.519 vs. 2.174 μg/mL, p = 0.029; 0.066 vs. 0.053, p = 0.042; 0.248 vs. 0.305, p = 0.002; 0.168 vs. 0.216, p = 0.010; 0.230 vs. 0.283, p = 0.013; 0.003 vs. 0.004 p = 0.045, respectively), with LA, GLA, LA/AA, EPA/ALA, and EPA/GLA demonstrating limited (AUC < 0.650), and EPA exhibiting moderate diagnostic value (AUC = 0.709). Among the subgroups of infertile patients, the teratozoospermic group displayed the most pronounced alterations in both individual PUFA concentrations and PUFA ratios compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Notably, DHA, LA/DHA, ALA/DHA, GLA/DHA, AA/DHA, EPA/DHA exhibited at least one moderate correlation with semen parameters (0.4 <|R|, p < 0.05). Despite its exploratory nature, the present study provides insights into the mechanisms underlying male infertility and their reflection in seminal plasma composition while simultaneously outlining new directions in identifying/excluding PUFA concentrations or ratios (especially LA, GLA, EPA, DHA, ALA/LA, LA/AA, EPA/ALA, EPA/GLA, EPA/AA) as potential biomarkers. Moreover, the use of GC–MS/MS method offers a novel approach for potential future diagnostic applications.

Male infertility is a pressing global issue, prompting the need for biomarkers correlating with seminal parameters for diagnosis. Our study investigated 10 biochemical and energetic parameters in the seminal plasma and blood sera of fertile (25 subjects) and infertile (88 subjects) Polish men, correlations between their levels in seminal plasma and semen quality, and correlations between blood sera and seminal plasma levels of examined parameters. Infertile men displayed elevated seminal plasma glucose and fructose but reduced HDL levels compared to fertile men. We observed also weak negative correlations between seminal plasma triglycerides and sperm concentration in both groups. Moreover, infertile men exhibited positive correlations between seminal plasma HDL/LDL concentrations and sperm concentration. Fertile men showed moderate negative correlations between glucose/triglycerides concentrations and sperm count and between seminal plasma triglycerides levels and sperm vitality. Semen volume correlated with triglycerides (negative) and fructose (positive) concentrations in infertile men. Sperm motility correlated negatively with total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides concentrations in fertile men, and weakly with AMP-activated protein kinase in infertile men. Weak negative correlations between seminal plasma fructose/AMP-activated protein kinase concentrations and sperm progressive motility were observed in infertile men, whereas in fertile men seminal plasma AMP-activated protein kinase levels were positively correlated with progressive motility. Correlation analysis between blood serum and seminal plasma parameters revealed intriguing connections, notably regarding LDL, AMP-activated protein kinase, and carnitine, suggesting systemic influences on seminal plasma composition. These findings emphasize the complex interplay between metabolic factors and sperm parameters, offering promising directions for future research in male infertility diagnostics and therapeutics.

Exposure to aluminum (Al) and its compounds is an environmental factor that induces neurotoxicity, partially through oxidative stress, potentially leading to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Components of the diet, such as caffeinated coffee, may play a significant role in preventing these diseases. In the present study, an experimental model of PC12 cells (rat pheochromocytoma tumor cells) was developed to investigate the influence of caffeine and caffeinated coffee on neurotoxicity induced by Al compounds and/or oxidative stress. For the induction of neurotoxicity, aluminum maltolate (Almal) and H₂O₂ were used. The present study demonstrates that 100 μM Almal reduced cell survival, while caffeinated coffee with caffeine concentrations of 5 μg/mL and 80 μg/mL reversed this effect, resulting in a higher than fivefold increase in PC12 cell survival. However, despite the observed antioxidant properties typical for caffeine and caffeinated coffee, it is unlikely that they are the key factors contributing to cell protection against neurotoxicity induced by both oxidative stress and Al exposure. Moreover, the present study reveals that for coffee to exert its effects, it is possible that Al must first activate certain mechanisms within the cell. Therefore, various signaling pathways are discussed, and modifications of these pathways might significantly decrease the risk of Al-induced neurotoxicity.

About 15% of couples worldwide are affected by infertility, with the male factor responsible for approximately 50% of reproductive failures. Male fertility can be influenced by various factors, including an unhealthy lifestyle and diet, often associated with oxidative stress. These changes are frequently the reason for spermatozoan dysfunction, malformations, and lowered count. However, sometimes even with proper semen parameters, fertilization does not occur, and this is referred to as idiopathic infertility. Of particular importance may be molecules contained in the spermatozoan membrane or seminal plasma, such as polyunsaturated fatty acids, including omega-3 (docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids) and omega-6 (arachidonic acid) fatty acids and their derivatives (prostaglandins, leukotrienes, thromboxanes, endocannabinoids, isoprostanes), which are vulnerable to the effects of oxidative stress. In the present review, we discuss the influence of these molecules on human male reproductive health and its possible causes, including disrupted oxidative–antioxidative balance. The review also discusses the potential use of these molecules in the diagnostics and treatment of male infertility, with a particular focus on the innovative approach to isoprostanes as biomarkers for male infertility. Given the high occurrence of idiopathic male infertility, there is a need to explore new solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

We verified whether caffeinated coffee consumption influenced the concentrations of prolactin (PRL) and oxidative stress parameters: total antioxidant status (TAS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), uric acid (UA), total bilirubin (T‐Bil), albumin (ALB), iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and inflammatory marker C‐reactive protein (CRP)—in blood sera obtained at 15, 60, and 120 minutes after caffeinated coffee intake, in relation to the fasting point. The study participants were 33 young, healthy, nonsmoking volunteers (15 men, 18 women) aged 19‐29 years. PRL concentrations significantly decreased (p < 0.05) after consumption, except at time point 15’ in men (p > 0.05). In women, FRAP levels significantly increased over time, and significant changes were also observed for UA at 120’ and ALB at 15’. In men, significant changes were found for levels of AOPP at 15’, T‐Bil and ALB at 15’, iron at 60’ and 120’, and calcium at 120’. There were no significant differences in the levels of other examined parameters between the defined time points. In conclusion, the substances contained in caffeinated coffee decrease the level of prolactin and may also have an impact on selected parameters of oxidative stress, which could be the basis of future research focused on the identification of new therapeutic targets.

Nowadays, caffeine is one of the most commonly consumed substances, which presents in many plants and products. It has both positive and negative effects on the human body, and its activity concerns a variety of systems including the central nervous system, immune system, digestive system, respiratory system, urinary tract, etc. These effects are dependent on quantity, the type of product in which caffeine is contained, and also on the individual differences among people (sex, age, diet etc.). The main aim of this review was to collect, present, and analyze the available information including the latest discoveries on the impact of caffeine on human health and the functioning of human body systems, taking into account the role of caffeine in individual disease entities. We present both the positive and negative sides of caffeine consumption and the healing properties of this purine alkaloid in diseases such as asthma, Parkinson’s disease, and others, not forgetting about the negative effects of excess caffeine (e.g., in people with hypertension, children, adolescents, and the elderly). In summary, we can conclude, however, that caffeine has a multi-directional influence on various organs of the human body, and because of its anti-oxidative properties, it was, and still is, an interesting topic for research studies including those aimed at developing new therapeutic strategies.