The effects of a low carbohydrate diet on erectile function and serum testosterone levels in hypogonadal men with metabolic syndrome: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome is a risk factor for several diseases. The relationship between metabolic syndrome and hypogonadism is well known. Our objetive is to assess whether a low carbohydrate diet can increase total serum testosterone and improve erectile function in hypogonadal men with metabolic syndrome.

Weight Loss Through Bariatric Surgery in Men Presents Beneficial Effects on Sexual Function, Symptoms of Testosterone Deficiency, and Hormonal Profile.

Introduction: Male obesity has a negative correlation with plasma testosterone (T) levels and sexual function (SF).

Aim: To evaluate the effect of weight loss through bariatric surgery (BS) on SF, low T symptoms, and hormonal profiles in obese men.

Methods: Thirty-three men who underwent BS participated in this cohort study.

Effects of perioperative pelvic floor muscle training on early recovery of urinary continence and erectile function in men undergoing radical prostatectomy: a randomized clinical trial.

Aims: Radical prostatectomy (RP) can result in urinary incontinence (UI) and erectile dysfunction (ED), which negatively impact quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a perioperative pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) program versus usual care on early recovery of urinary continence and erectile function after RP.

Materials And Methods: Of 59 eligible men, 31 were randomly allocated into 2 groups: Group 1 (Control, N=15) received usual post-RP care; and Group 2 (Physical therapy, N=16) received two pre-RP physical therapist-guided PFMT sessions, including exercises and electromyographic biofeedback, and verbal and written instructions to continue PFMT until RP, which was then resumed after urethral catheter removal.

Oxidative stress in the bladder of men with LUTS undergoing open prostatectomy: a pilot study.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the link between preoperative parameters and oxidative stress (OS) markers in the bladder wall of men undergoing open prostatectomy.

Materials And Methods: From July 2014 to August 2016, men aged ≥ 50 years and presenting with LUTS were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative assessment included validated questionnaires (IPSS and OAB - V8), lower urinary tract ultrasound and urodynamics.

Incidence and risk factors for retinopathy of prematurity: a retrospective cohort study.

Background And Objectives: Advances in neonatal care promoted increased survival rates of preterm infants, with a consequent increase in the number of children affected by retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This study estimates the incidence of ROP and evaluates potential risk factors associated.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of preterm infants born in a tertiary neonatal intensive care unit was conducted from March 2005 to August 2015.

Testosterone replacement maintains smooth muscle content in the corpus cavernosum of orchiectomized rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effects of testosterone (T) on the maintenance of corpus cavernosum (CC) structure and apoptosis.

Methods: Animals were divided into three groups: sham operation group ( = 8) underwent sham operation; Orchiectomized (Orchiec)+ oily vehicle group ( = 8) underwent bilateral orchiectomy and received a single dose of oily vehicle by intramuscular injection (i.m.

Low Testosterone Levels and Metabolic Syndrome in Aging Male.

Advances in medicine and progressive improvements in the health of the general population in developed countries have led to considerable increases in life expectancy over recent years. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) affects approximately 25% of the adult population and its prevalence is increasing all over the world. Central obesity plays an important role in emergence of MetS.

Total testosterone levels are correlated to metabolic syndrome components.

Introduction: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a constellation of interrelated risk factors of metabolic origin. Some studies suggest a possible link between low total testosterone (TT) levels and the presence of MetS.

Aim: To analyze the strength and independence of associations between TT and MetS components in non-diabetic men.

Effects of L-arginine and L-NAME on ischemia-reperfusion in rat liver.

Purpose: To evaluated the effects of L-arginine (a NO donor) and L-NAME (Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester - a NOS inhibitor) on ischemia-reperfusion in rat livers.

Methods: One hundred fifty two male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (simulated surgery); hepatic IR; pretreatment with L-arginine plus hepatic IR; and L-NAME plus hepatic IR. The hepatocellular damage was evaluated at the first, third and seventh days after the procedures through the alanine-aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate-aminotransaminase (AST) levels, as well as histopathological features: vascular congestion (VC); steatosis (STE); necrosis (NEC); and inflammatory infiltration (INF).

Importance of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) as a predictive factor for concordance between the Gleason scores of prostate biopsies and RADICAL prostatectomy specimens.

Objective: To evaluate the concordance between the Gleason scores of prostate biopsies and radical prostatectomy specimens, thereby highlighting the importance of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level as a predictive factor of concordance.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 253 radical prostatectomy cases performed between 2006 and 2011. The patients were divided into 4 groups for the data analysis and dichotomized according to the preoperative PSA, <10 ng/mL and ≥10 ng/mL.

Evaluation of endothelial function with brachial artery ultrasound in men with or without erectile dysfunction and classified as intermediate risk according to the Framingham Score.

Introduction: Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) of the brachial artery is a noninvasive tool used for endothelial function evaluation. There is increasing evidence that endothelial dysfunction is a common etiological factor for erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular events.

Aim: To evaluate endothelial function with a high-resolution ultrasound device, to assess FMD in men diagnosed with ED and without clinical evidence of significant atherosclerotic disease, classified as "intermediate risk" according to the Framingham risk score (FRS).

Calculated free testosterone and radioimmunoassay free testosterone as a predictor of subnormal levels of total testosterone.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship among aFT, cFT, and total testosterone (TT) and the best method in diagnosing subnormal levels of TT.

Methods: A total of 213 men were analyzed. Fasting blood samples were drawn for the determination of the lipid profile as well as of plasmatic glucose and serum levels of albumin, TT, aFT, and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG).

The influence of age on bioavailable and free testosterone is independent of body mass index and glucose levels.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of age on serum levels of total testosterone (TT), bioavailable testosterone (BT), free testosterone (FT), and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG), considering the presence of fasting blood glucose levels and body mass index (BMI) in a selected male population.

Methods: A total of 428 men were analyzed. Anthropometry was taken from all, considering BMI as general obesity indicative variable.

Serum levels of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis hormones in men with or without prostate cancer or atypical small acinar proliferation.

Introduction: Substantial controversy exists regarding the association between testosterone serum levels and prostate cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the levels of hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis hormones in the sera of men with prostate cancer and atypical small acinar proliferation as well as those with normal biopsies.

Methods: A study cohort of 186 men with suspected prostate cancer who had undergone transrectal prostate biopsies was used in this study.

Effects of the chronic use of finasteride and doxazosin mesylate on the histomorphometric characteristics of the prostate: experimental study in rats.

Objective: The objective of the present study is to evaluate the histomorphometric characteristics of the prostate of rats submitted to chronic (long-time) treatment with doxazosin mesylate, finasteride and both substances combined.

Materials And Methods: Four groups of eight rats each were selected for this study and treated with saline solution (control), doxazosin mesylate, finasteride and combination of the drugs, during 10 months. After this time, the prostate was removed, weighed and sent for histological analysis.

[Prostate carcinoma and testosterone: risks and controversies].

Hypogonadism is a clinical and biochemical syndrome which may cause significant detriment in the quality of life. With the increase in life expectancy and prostate cancer survival a significant increase in the number of men with hypogonadism who have undergone presumably curative treatment for PCa is anticipated. Despite the widespread contraindication of testosterone in men with known or suspected prostate cancer, there is no convincing evidence that the normalization of testosterone serum levels in men with low, but not castrate levels, is deleterious.

Symptomatic response rates to testosterone therapy and the likelihood of completing 12 months of therapy in clinical practice.

Introduction: Despite increasing medical interest in testosterone therapy (TTh) for men with testosterone deficiency (TD) there is limited information regarding subjective response rates and acceptability of medium- to long-term TTh in routine clinical practice.

Aim: To evaluate results in a consecutive series of men in clinical practice treated with TTh.

Material And Methods: A chart review was performed for a consecutive series of men for whom TTh was initiated over 1 year for a clinical diagnosis of TD.

The effects of N-acetylcysteine on spermatogenesis and degree of testicular germ cell apoptosis in an experimental model of varicocele in rats.

Introduction: The mechanism by which varicocele interferes in spermatogenesis has not been clearly defined. Germ cell apoptosis and oxidative stress appear to be involved in this process and the use of antioxidants has been proposed to counteract upon these effects. The present study evaluated the effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on spermatogenesis and germ cell apoptosis in an experimental model of varicocele in rats.

Classics of urology: a half century history of the most frequently cited articles (1955-2009).

To identify and characterize the most frequently cited articles published in Journals dedicated to Urology over the last 50 years. A Pubmed search was performed of all articles published in the 13 most cited urological journals between 1955 and 2009. Articles with more than 100 citations were identified as "classic", and were analyzed further.

A cross-sectional study for the analysis of clinical, sexual and laboratory conditions associated to Peyronie's disease.

Introduction: Although Peyronie's Disease (PD) was first described over 250 years ago, its precise etiology remains obscure.

Aim: Analyze a variety of potential associated factors with PD, including erectile dysfunction.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study included 83 consecutive men with PD and 252 age-matched controls.

Testosterone therapy and prostate carcinoma.

Hypogonadism is a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with a range of disease states that has significant effects on morbidity and mortality and also affects quality of life. Because of the increase in life expectancy and prostate carcinoma (PCa) survival, a significant increase in the number of men with hypogonadism who have undergone presumably curative treatment of PCa is anticipated. Despite the widespread belief regarding contraindication of testosterone administration to men with known or suspected PCa, there is no convincing evidence that the normalization of testosterone serum levels in men with low levels presents a deleterious effect on the evolution of the disease.

Pharmacological preconditioning using intraportal infusion of L-arginine protects against hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury.

Objective: The present study examined the effects of intraportal infusion of L-arginine on ischemia/reperfusion injury (I/RI) in pig livers, by observing changes in the liver function, liver cell morphology, and changes in the mitochondrial ultrastructure.

Background: The involvement of the nitric oxide (NO) pathway in the reperfusion-ischemic phenomenon is complex and not fully understood. Likewise, little is known about the possible benefit of intraportal infusion of L-arginine (substrate for the NO synthesis) on liver I/RI.

Evaluation of the effects of cigarette smoking on testosterone levels in adult men.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent among men. Many studies have evaluated the effect of cigarette smoking on levels of male reproductive hormones; however, the findings still remain controversial.

Aim: To evaluate the influence of cigarette smoking on serum levels of total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), bioavailable testosterone (BT), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), luteinizing hormone (LH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH).

Ischemic preconditioning protects the pig liver by preserving the mitochondrial structure and downregulating caspase-3 activity.

Background Data: The beneficial effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (I/RI) have been described. However, the way in which IPC causes the changes in mitochondrial ultrastructure seen in hepatic I/RI is not well understood.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to determine whether IPC protects the liver from changes in mitochondrial structure and caspase 3 activity in the early phase of post-ischemic injury.

Androgen replacement in men undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

Introduction: Hypogonadism is a clinical and biochemical syndrome that may cause significant detriment in the quality of life and adversely affect the function of multiple organ systems. With the increase in life expectancy and prostate cancer (PCa) survival, a significant increase in the number of men with hypogonadism who have undergone presumably curative treatment for PCa is anticipated.

Aim: To critically review the literature regarding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) after PCa treatment with curative intent.