Glutathione treatment of dyspermia: effect on the lipoperoxidation process

Hum Reprod. 1994 Nov;9(11):2044-50. doi: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.humrep.a138391.

Abstract

We recently introduced reduced glutathione into the therapeutic protocols in some selected cases of dyspermia. This therapy improved semen quality both in a pilot follow-up study and in a double-blind cross-over trial. This improvement was seen in patients with varicocele and germ-free genital tract inflammation, two pathologies in which production of reactive oxygen species or other toxic compounds could have a pathogenic role. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of phospholipids play a major role in membrane constitution and function and are one of the main targets of the lipoperoxidative process. Therefore, to understand the therapeutic action of reduced glutathione, we selected infertile patients and studied the modifications produced by the therapy in seminal parameters, biochemical sperm membrane parameters, and the pattern of fatty acids of phospholipids from blood serum and red blood cell membranes (a model widely accepted as representative of general cell membrane status). The results showed an improvement in both sperm parameters and cell membrane characteristics. This study suggests that biochemical modifications in membrane constitution could explain the seminal results of glutathione therapy. On the other hand, it seems likely that only subjects with systemic membrane disturbances associated with andrological pathologies express this membrane damage in spermatozoa, resulting in dyspermia. This sperm alteration can be partially reversed by glutathione therapy if the structural cell membrane damage is not too severe.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Controlled Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Arachidonic Acid / blood
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / physiology
  • Erythrocyte Membrane / metabolism
  • Erythrocytes / metabolism
  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated / blood
  • Genital Diseases, Male / complications
  • Glutathione / pharmacology
  • Glutathione / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / drug therapy*
  • Infertility, Male / etiology
  • Inflammation / complications
  • Linoleic Acid
  • Linoleic Acids / blood
  • Lipid Peroxidation / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Oxidation-Reduction
  • Phospholipids / blood
  • Pilot Projects
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects
  • Spermatozoa / physiology
  • Varicocele / complications

Substances

  • Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
  • Linoleic Acids
  • Phospholipids
  • Arachidonic Acid
  • Linoleic Acid
  • Glutathione