title: Modulation of sperm membrane conformation by pentoxifylline in oligospermia: a biophysical investigation of sperm membrane in vitro.
abstract: Low superoxide anion radical levels, low membrane fluidity and high superoxide dismutase activity are some of the defects existing in oligospermia. The phosphodiesterase inhibitor pentoxifylline has been used as a motility stimulant in the treatment of oligospermia in vitro. The mechanism of its action is unclear. Our results show significant inhibition of superoxide dismutase, increase in lipid peroxidation and membrane fluidity after pentoxifylline treatment. A biophysical modulation of the sperm membrane by an oxyradical mechanism in oligospermia is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Sir H. N. Medical Research Society, Mumbai, India.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nivsarkar
authors.forename: R Y
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mokal
mesh_terms: D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity / Q000187:drug effects; D009845:Oligospermia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D010431:Pentoxifylline