Cinnoxicam and L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine treatment for idiopathic and varicocele-associated oligoasthenospermia.
The objective of this study was to detect a therapy for idiopathic and varicocele-associated oligoasthenospermia (OAT). Idiopathic and varicocele OAT patients were randomized into 3 groups. Each group was composed of varying degrees of left varicoceles (graded into 5 grades with echo-color Doppler) and of idiopathic OATs. Group 1 used a placebo, group 2 used oral L-carnitine (2 g/d) + acetyl-L-carnitine (1 g/d), group 3 used L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine + 1 x 30-mg cinnoxicam suppository every 4 days. Drugs were administered for 6 months. The groups were composed as follows: group 1, 71 varicoceles and 47 idiopathic OATs; group 2, 62 varicoceles and 39 idiopathic OATs; group 3, 62 varicoceles and 44 idiopathic OATs. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology before during and after treatments were assessed. Pregnancy rates and side effects were recorded. Group 1 did not have modified sperm patterns during treatment. Group 2 had significantly increased sperm patterns at 3 and 6 months into therapy in idiopathic patients and in patients with grades I, II, and III varicocele, but not in grades IV and V. Group 3 had significantly increased sperm parameters in all patients, with the exception of grade V varicocele. Group 3 sperm patterns proved significantly higher during therapy than group 2. All sperm patterns fell to baseline after therapy suspension. Minor side effects occurred. Pregnancy rates were 1.7% (group 1), 21.8% (group 2), and 38.0% (group 3) (P <.01). L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine + cinnoxicam suppositories proved a reliable treatment for low-grade varicoceles and idiopathic OATs.
Headquarters of Società Italiana di Studi di Medicina della Riproduzione (SISMER), Bologna, Italy. giorgiocavallini@libero.it
Giorgio
G
Cavallini
Anna Pia
AP
Ferraretti
Luca
L
Gianaroli
Giulio
G
Biagiotti
Giovanni
G
Vitali
D000108:Acetylcarnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007248:Infertility, Male / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D010894:Piroxicam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D018873:Pregnancy Rate; D013094:Spermatozoa / Q000187:drug effects; D013737:Testis / Q000187:drug effects*; D014646:Varicocele / Q000150:complications
D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010894:Piroxicam; D000108:Acetylcarnitine; C057291:piroxicam cinnamate; D002331:Carnitine