[The use of a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines for treatment of male infertility and chronic prostatitis].

INTRODUCTION: Chronic prostatitis (CP) has long been considered one of the common causes of male infertility. The influence of therapy for CP on spermatogenesis is well studied. However, recently, especially in the era of the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19), much attention has been paid to the effects of cytokines on the pathogenesis of the inflammatory process, and their impact on male fertility. AIM: To study the effect of a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines (Superlymph) on ejaculate, MAR test, oxidative stress (OS), and sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) in men with infertility and a history of CP. In some patients, the level of cytokines before and after treatment was determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 583 infertile men with a history of CP, aged 18-75 years, were screened according to the inclusion/ exclusion criteria. In group I, patients received antioxidant stimulation of spermatogenesis (triovit, trental, mexidol) in combination with a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines (Superlymph) one suppository 25 IU at night for 20 days for 1-3 weeks and for 6-8 weeks for 2 months. In group II, antioxidant stimulation of spermatogenesis was prescribed along with suppositories for the prevention of CP for 2 months. The evaluated criteria included sperm analysis, MAR test, oxidative stress in spermatozoa (reactive oxygen species (ROS)) and SDF. The levels of seminal plasma cytokines were also measured before and after treatment in 32 patients using the Bio-Plex Pro panel for the simultaneous determination of 17 human cytokines, the Human Cytokine 17-plex Assay. Statistica-10 software was used for statistical analysis (p<0.05). RESULTS: Of 135 eligible patients, results were collected from 125 men (mean age 31.7 +/- 13.4 years). In group I, there was a more pronounced increase in motility by 42.3%, a decrease in the MAR-test level by 64.7%, oxidative stress in spermatozoa by 56.1%, and SDF by 25.6%, compared to group II (30.4 %, 10.5%, 45.7%, 21.9%), respectively. All these changes were significant with the exception of a decrease in the level of SDF. In group I, there was a predominant increase in the activity of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, 10, 13), a decrease in the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines ((IL-2, 12). In group II, there was a significant decrease in both pro-inflammatory (IL-2, 6, 8), and anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4). The remaining changes were insignificant. Among mild side effects, there were a change in the color of the sclera in 4 (3.2%), anal pain in 3 (2.4%), a decrease in libido in 2 (1.6%) patients. No differences between groups in the frequency of side effects were recorded (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Antioxidant stimulation of spermatogenesis in infertile men and CP is an effective and safe. The addition of a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines (Superlymph) leads to a more profound increase in sperm motility, a decrease in the MAR-test, oxidative stress in sperm cells, which potentiates the effects of therapy. The use of Superlymph is accompanied by a more pronounced positive effect on pathospermia, an increase in anti-inflammatory and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines. In the contrary, in control group, where patients received antioxidant stimulation of spermatogenesis, only a decrease in the level of main cytokines was observed. The effect of a complex of natural antimicrobial peptides and cytokines (Superlymph) on the level of SDF, as well as the relationship with fertility and childbirth rates, requires further study.

[Cytological evaluation of urothelial damage in extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy].

INTRODUCTION: The study proposed a technique for early detection of the damaging effect of shock waves on the urinary tract tissues, for monitoring the state of urothelial cells in the early post-procedure period and choosing an adequate method for preventing and managing possible complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study analyzed the urine samples of 300 patients aged 20 to 50 years, who for the first time underwent ESWL for kidney stones. The urine sediment smears were fixed in the May-Grunwald stain and stained with azure eosin solution according to Pappenheim. Besides evaluating general cytologic characteristics, a morphometric examination of urine sediment was performed. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: To define quantitative parameters, the total number of epithelial cells (ep) was determined with further calculation of the mean number of epithelial cells in the field of view (ep= ep/10). Correlation between the number of abnormal epithelial cells (cp) and the total number of epithelial cells (ep) was analyzed. The resulted "destruction index" (DI) was the "pool" of all cytopathological changes in epithelial cells DI = cp/ep. Immediately after ESWL, DI markedly increased with significant difference (<0.05) in numeric values. Two hours after the procedure, the DI reduced compared to the previous value. And only at day 4 DI was close to the norm, although remaining somewhat elevated. CONCLUSION: Extracorporeal shock waves lithotripsy produces the acute urothelial damage resulting in cytopathological changes of varying severity. The above-mentioned technique provides objective and highly significant clinical and diagnostic information on the state of the urothelium after the exposure to shock waves.