Jie Zheng, Jie Liao, Cheng-Guang Sun, Zhi Yuan, Yuan Qin, Ting-Li Han, Heng Zou, Shen Zhang
{"title":"Integrated metabolomic and microbiota analysis of semen: seasonal and morphological associations.","authors":"Jie Zheng, Jie Liao, Cheng-Guang Sun, Zhi Yuan, Yuan Qin, Ting-Li Han, Heng Zou, Shen Zhang","doi":"10.4103/aja202549","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Recent studies have begun to investigate the metabolic and microbiota profiles in semen, yet their association with abnormal sperm morphology, particularly in teratozoospermia, remains insufficiently characterized. Identifying specific metabolites and microbial taxa linked to this condition could improve diagnostics and management for male infertility. This study analyzed semen samples from 231 patients, including 30 patients with teratozoospermia and 30 patients with normal sperm morphology, collected over four seasons in Chongqing, China. Metabolomic profiling by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and microbiota composition analysis via 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) sequencing revealed distinct seasonal metabolomic shifts, with significant changes in summer and autumn. After excluding seasonally affected metabolites, 14 key metabolites were associated with teratozoospermia, including reduced levels of 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvic acid, phenylpyruvic acid, and N-acetyl-L-aspartic acid. These metabolites are involved in pathways related to oxidative stress and energy metabolism in spermatozoa, suggesting that their depletion may contribute to sperm abnormalities. Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Actinobacteriota were predominant phyla across all seasons and groups, but significant genus-level fluctuations, such as Acinetobacter and Staphylococcus, were observed. In teratozoospermia, genera such as Lactobacillus and Limnochordaceae showed differential abundance, correlating with key metabolites and suggesting potential functional interactions. Limnochordaceae showed a significant positive correlation with undecanoic acid, whereas Lactobacillus showed a negative correlation. These findings highlight that while seasonal changes significantly influence semen metabolomics and microbiota composition, teratozoospermia is characterized by specific, season-independent metabolic and microbial signatures. Our study provides insights into the metabolic and microbial dynamics of semen, suggesting the possibility of developing novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies for male infertility.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144823407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ginsenoside Rb1 mitigates diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction in rats by reducing oxidative stress and modulating the PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway.","authors":"Zong-Hai Liu, Wei-Bo Chen, Jian-Zheng Li, Xue-Sheng Wang, Lei Liu, Han-Wen Liu, Gong-Zhen Chen, Chao Pan, Ming-Zhen Yuan","doi":"10.4103/aja202528","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202528","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Erectile dysfunction is a complex and prevalent complication of diabetes, and effective treatments are lacking. Oxidative stress, fibrosis, and apoptosis are closely associated with the development of diabetes mellitus-related erectile dysfunction (DMED). Notably, ginsenoside Rb1 (Rb1) exerts antioxidant effects and displays promise in the treatment of DMED. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of Rb1 in a rodent streptozotocin-induced DMED model. Thirty-two rats were randomly assigned to three groups: control group, DMED group, and DMED + Rb1 group. DMED was induced in male rats via an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. After 8 weeks of Rb1 gavage, erectile function was assessed by the electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. In addition, western blot, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunofluorescence, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining, and Masson's trichrome staining were performed to verify the relevant factors and protein expression. Rb1 effectively improved the erectile function of the corpus cavernosum, decreased collagen content, and increased smooth muscle content in rats with diabetes. Rb1 decreased the levels of the pro-inflammatory factors (interleukin [IL]-6, tumor necrosis factor alpha [TNF-α], and IL-1β), and increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory factors (IL-10 and IL-4). Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase and levels of nitric oxide (NO) were increased, whereas malondialdehyde activity was decreased. Additionally, Rb1 activated the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) signaling pathway and inhibited cell apoptosis. Rb1 can improve erectile function in rats with DMED by increasing the activity of the PI3K/AKT/eNOS pathway, reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis, and alleviating corpus cavernosum fibrosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144786118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Long Zhong, Jia-Xu Gu, Cui Li, Suo-Lei Sun, Ming-Jia Chen, Yong Li, Yu Ding, Liang-Chao Ni, Yu Yang
{"title":"Urgent need for inclusion of male infertility in global health strategies: insights from the GBD 2021 Study.","authors":"Long Zhong, Jia-Xu Gu, Cui Li, Suo-Lei Sun, Ming-Jia Chen, Yong Li, Yu Ding, Liang-Chao Ni, Yu Yang","doi":"10.4103/aja202550","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202550","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>This study examines the global burden and prevalence of male infertility using data from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021 Study), encompassing 204 countries from 1990 to 2021. By analyzing disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and prevalence trends, alongside lifestyle, environmental, and disease-related factors, including the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we identified significant temporal and regional disparities. Using joinpoint regression, decomposition analysis, and Bayesian age-period-cohort models, the results revealed a rising global burden, with DALYs increasing from 15.8 to 18.6 per 100 000 and the age-standardized prevalence rising from 2752.5 to 3218.9 per 100 000 over three decades. Low- and middle-sociodemographic index (SDI) regions presented the highest burden, driven by demographic shifts and epidemiological challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated healthcare disparities, particularly in resource-limited settings. These findings underscore the urgent need to integrate male infertility into global health agendas, emphasizing tailored interventions and policy reforms to address socioeconomic impacts and mitigate rising burdens, especially in low- and middle-SDI regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144786119","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zhong-Jie Zheng, Yan Chen, Qian-Xi Chen, Wen-Hao Tang, Eric Chung, Kai Hong, Shu-Dong Zhang, Hao-Cheng Lin
{"title":"Near-infrared photobiomodulation therapy for age-related erectile dysfunction: molecular and physiological restoration in a mouse model.","authors":"Zhong-Jie Zheng, Yan Chen, Qian-Xi Chen, Wen-Hao Tang, Eric Chung, Kai Hong, Shu-Dong Zhang, Hao-Cheng Lin","doi":"10.4103/aja202532","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202532","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Age-related erectile dysfunction (ARED) represents a significant clinical challenge due to the interplay between chronic comorbidities and age-related physiological decline. This study investigated the therapeutic potential of near-infrared photobiomodulation therapy (NIR-PBMT) in ARED mice, focusing on molecular and physiological mechanisms of complex erectile function restoration. Aged mice received NIR-PBMT (4 J cm-2) every 48 h for 2 weeks. Erectile function was evaluated using the maximum intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICPmax/MAP) ratio following cavernous nerve stimulation. Histological analysis and western blotting revealed significant improvements in penile tissue architecture, including increased smooth muscle content, reduced collagen deposition, and altered expression of senescence markers (p21 and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X [γ-H2A.X]) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS). In vitro studies using human corpus cavernous endothelial cells (HCCECs) demonstrated that NIR-PBMT reduced cellular senescence (assessed via SA-β-galactosidase staining), enhanced nitric oxide (NO) production, and improved mitochondrial network integrity. Angiogenesis assays further confirmed the pro-angiogenic effects of NIR-PBMT. Collectively, these findings highlight NIR-PBMT as a promising non-invasive therapy for ARED, acting through multiple pathways to reverse pathological remodeling and restore endothelial function. Future translational research is necessary to validate its clinical efficacy and optimize treatment protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2025-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144736046","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Inhibition of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway blocks the oncogenic activity of TRIM26 in prostate cancer cells.","authors":"Yue-Ya Zhong, Li-Huan Zhang, Xin-Ye Zhou, Xiu-Min Zhou, Yuan-Ming He, Xin-Liang Mao, Xiao-Feng Xu","doi":"10.4103/aja202526","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202526","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The tripartite motif-containing protein 26 (TRIM26) is an E3 ubiquitin ligase with strong oncogenic activity in various cancers. However, its role and molecular mechanism in prostate cancer (PCa) remain elusive. To clarify its role in promoting PCa progression, we evaluated TRIM26 expression in cells and clinical specimens using immunohistochemistry and found that TRIM26 was significantly upregulated in PCa tissue. Moreover, high TRIM26 levels predicted a poor prognosis in patients with PCa. Ectopic overexpression of TRIM26 increased PCa cell proliferation and migration, and this activity was suppressed by TRIM26 knockdown. Notably, TRIM26 activated both protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of the rapamycin (mTOR) and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathways in PCa cells. Consistent with these findings, TRIM26 knockdown led to decreased activation of these signals. Furthermore, the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway activated by TRIM26 was attenuated by the PI3K inhibitor S14161. Similarly, cisplatin, a commonly used anti-PCa drug, downregulated TRIM26 and AKT/mTOR activation, while TRIM26 overexpression reversed AKT/mTOR inactivation. Finally, this finding was also demonstrated TRIM26 expression strikingly promoted tumor growth and activated AKT/mTOR signaling in a PCa xenograft. In conclusion, TRIM26 drives PCa malignancy and may be an attractive target for PCa treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585871","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The importance of the season of biopsy on the Gleason score on biopsy: does exposure to sunshine have an influence?","authors":"Guila Delouya, Daniel Taussky","doi":"10.4103/aja202536","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202536","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The circadian clock is strongly influenced by the sun exposure and prostate cancer has been shown to be inversely proportional to it. We investigated whether PCa aggressiveness in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, differs over the months during or following potentially longer exposure to sunlight. We analyzed 3447 patients treated between January 1995 and December 2023 with primary radiotherapy for localized PCa. We investigated whether the month when diagnostic biopsy was performed was associated with a more frequent diagnosis of a primary Gleason score (pGS) of 4 or 5. We grouped the months of biopsy into the four quarters (Q1-4) of the year. Multivariable logistic regression was used to predict a pGS of 4 or 5, adjusted for age and year of biopsy. There were significantly fewer biopsies (P = 0.027) with pGS 4 or 5 in the last 3 months of the year (Q4; 19.0%) than those in Q1-3 (22.9%). Age, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, and the number of positive biopsies were not significantly different between Q4 versus Q1-3. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, a biopsy in Q4 was significantly predictive of a lower risk of pGS 4 or 5 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.77, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.93, P = 0.007), as was older age (P < 0.001), but not the year of biopsy (P = 0.76). In conclusion, patients biopsied during Q4 had a 23% lower risk of a pGS 4 or 5 on diagnostic biopsy than those biopsied during the previous 9 months. Our results are not a proof of causality.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Trend in testicular volume change after orchiopexy in 854 children with cryptorchidism.","authors":"Ying-Ying He, Zhi-Cong Ke, Shou-Lin Li, Hui-Jie Guo, Pei-Liang Zhang, Peng-Yu Chen, Wan-Hua Xu, Feng-Hao Sun, Zhi-Lin Yang","doi":"10.4103/aja202527","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202527","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>The aim of this study was to investigate the trend in testicular volume changes after orchiopexy in children with cryptorchidism. The clinical data of 854 children with cryptorchidism who underwent orchiopexy between January 2013 and December 2016 in Shenzhen Children's Hospital (Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively analyzed. The mean (standard deviation) age of the patients was 2.8 (2.5) years, and the duration of follow-up ranged from 1 year to 5 years. Ultrasonography was conducted preoperatively and postoperatively. The variables analyzed included age at the time of surgery, type of surgical procedure, laterality, preoperative testicular position, preoperative and postoperative testicular volumes, and the testicular volume ratio of them. The average testicular volumes preoperatively and at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 5 years postoperatively were 0.27 ml, 0.38 ml, 0.53 ml, 0.87 ml, and 1.00 ml, respectively (P < 0.001). The corresponding testicular volume ratios were 0.67, 0.76, 0.80, 0.83, and 0.84 (P < 0.001). The mean volume of the undescended testes was significantly smaller than the mean normative value (P < 0.001, lower than the 10th percentile). The postoperative testicular volumes in children with cryptorchidism were generally lower than those in healthy boys but were still greater than the 10th percentile and exhibited an increasing trend. The older the child is at the time of surgery, the larger the gap in volume between the affected and normal testes. Although testicular volume tends to gradually increase after orchiopexy for cryptorchidism, it could not normalizes. Earlier surgery results in affected testicular volumes closer to those of healthy boys.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585821","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Zi-Hao Zhao, Yang Xiong, Wei Wang, Chang-Jing Wu, Jiu-Hong Yuan
{"title":"Assessing post-marketing safety of PDE5Is in erectile dysfunction: real-world evidence from the FDA adverse event reporting system.","authors":"Zi-Hao Zhao, Yang Xiong, Wei Wang, Chang-Jing Wu, Jiu-Hong Yuan","doi":"10.4103/aja202537","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.4103/aja202537","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition affecting men worldwide. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is), including sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil, for treating ED. However, real-world studies on adverse events (AEs) linked to PDE5Is are limited. This study comprehensively assessed the safety of PDE5Is based on reports from the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) database from January 2004 to June 2024. The disproportionality analysis was used to evaluate the safety profiles of PDE5Is. Based on demographic stratification, correlational analysis and signal differences examination in subgroups were performed in different PDE5Is. Among the 53 517 AEs reports collected from the FAERS database, we identified 135, 73, 72, and 7 preferred terms associated with sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil, respectively. The study detected AEs listed on the FDA-approved label of each PDE5I. However, some AEs not listed on the labels were also identified. Some AEs listed by the FDA for PDE5Is were insignificant signals in our analysis. Significant differences were found among PDE5Is across age, weight, and onset time categories. We detected AEs related to the nervous, cardiovascular, and ocular systems that were not listed on the labels of the four PDE5Is, warranting further research on the underlying mechanisms. Additionally, significant differences in PDE5I-associated AEs were observed across age, weight, and onset time, highlighting the need for tailored patient management.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144585870","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative analysis of isolated male epispadias: concealed versus nonconcealed cases in a Chinese tertiary hospital.","authors":"Jia-Yi Li, Bo Yu, Meng-Cheng Yang, Zong-Han Li, Hong-Cheng Song, Wei-Ping Zhang","doi":"10.4103/aja2024114","DOIUrl":"10.4103/aja2024114","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Abstract: </strong>Isolated male epispadias typically presents with preputial defects and dorsal urethral dehiscence. A less common subtype, known as concealed epispadias, is distinguished by an intact prepuce. Despite its clinical relevance, there is limited literature on this variant. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 86 pediatric patients with isolated male epispadias treated in Beijing Children's Hospital (Beijing, China) from May 2004 to July 2023, including 19 cases of concealed epispadias and 67 of nonconcealed epispadias. We compared clinical characteristics, preoperative diagnostics, surgical techniques, postoperative outcomes, and sexual function during follow-up between the concealed and nonconcealed groups. No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding surgical methods, postoperative complications, or rates of urinary incontinence. However, notable distinctions were found in the age at initial diagnosis, timing of surgery, frequency of incontinence, location of the urethral meatus, and postoperative urinary incontinence scores (all P < 0.05). Given the absence of penopubic epispadias in concealed cases, we categorized glans and penile epispadias within nonconcealed epispadias as distal epispadias ( n = 40) and subsequently compared them with concealed epispadias cases. The postoperative urinary incontinence scores did not differ significantly between the concealed and distal epispadias groups. These findings suggest that concealed epispadias represents a relatively milder form of the condition, characterized by the absence of penopubic involvement, lower rates of urinary incontinence, and favorable surgical outcomes. However, the intact prepuce in concealed cases underscores the need for careful identification and early diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":93889,"journal":{"name":"Asian journal of andrology","volume":" ","pages":"502-507"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12279356/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143545155","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}