Antioxidant treatment with carnitines is effective in infertile patients with prostatovesiculoepididymitis and elevated seminal leukocyte concentrations after treatment with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory compounds.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate whether the association of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds may be beneficial in treatment of patients with abacterial prostatovesiculoepididymitis (PVE) and elevated seminal leukocyte concentrations.


METHODS
Open, prospective, random study.


METHODS
Academic research environment.


METHODS
Ninety-eight patients with PVE who had increased seminal leukocyte concentrations (>1 x 10(6) cells/mL). Carnitines (group A; n = 30) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (group B; n = 16) for 4 months; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for 2 months, followed by treatment with carnitines for 2 months (group C; n = 26); or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory treatment given concomitantly with carnitines (group D; n = 26) for 4 months.


METHODS
Semen variables, production of reactive oxygen species, and pregnancy outcome were evaluated before and after treatment and following a 3-month washout period.


RESULTS
Patients in group C had the highest reduction in production of reactive oxygen species associated with increased sperm motility and viability. Groups B and D experienced intermediate effects, and group A experienced the least effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Antioxidant treatment with carnitines is effective in patients with abacterial PVE and increased seminal leukocyte concentrations if these patients have been pretreated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Vicari
Enzo
E
University of Catania, Catania, Italy. acaloger@unict.it
La Vignera
Sandro
S
Calogero
Aldo E
AE
D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004823:Epididymitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005832:Genital Diseases, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D007249:Inflammation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D012661:Semen / Q000166:cytology; D012669:Seminal Vesicles / Q000187:drug effects
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000975:Antioxidants; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D002331:Carnitine