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BackgroundProlonged or unaccustomed eccentric exercise may cause muscle damage and depending from its extent, this event negatively affects physical performance.ObjectivesThe aim of the present investigation was to evaluate, in humans, the effect of the flavonoid quercetin on circulating levels of the anabolic insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I) and insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF-II), produced during the recovery period after an eccentric-induced muscle damage (EIMD).MethodsA randomized, double-blind, crossover study has been performed; twelve young men ingested quercetin (1 g/day) or placebo for 14 days and then underwent an eccentric-induced muscle damaging protocol. Blood samples were collected, and cell damage markers [creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and myoglobin (Mb)], the inflammatory responsive interleukin 6 (IL-6), IGF-I and IGF-II levels were evaluated before the exercise and at different recovery times from 24 hours to 7 days after EIMD.ResultsWe found that, in placebo treatment the increase in IGF-I (72 h) preceded IGF-II increase (7 d). After Q supplementation there was a more marked increase in IGF-I levels and notably, the IGF-II peak was found earlier, compared to placebo, at the same time of IGF-I (72 h). Quercetin significantly reduced plasma markers of cell damage [CK (p

ObjectivesEvaluating the relationship between circulating metabolic biomarkers and semen parameters in obese, overweight and normal-weight patients.MethodsPatients were recruited at the “Andrology and Pathophysiology of Reproduction Unit”, in Santa Maria Goretti Hospital. Divided into three groups were 98 participants (obese, overweight and normal-weight patients) according to BMI and were analyzed for three adipokines and six hormone peptides in blood serum and seminal plasma using Luminex assay. Standard semen analysis was performed for ejaculate volume, sperm concentration, total sperm count, motility, morphology and leukocytes.ResultsIn all groups of subjects, we observed a higher concentration of blood serum c-peptide, GIP, PAI-1, leptin, ghrelin and GLP-1 in comparison to seminal plasma; differently, higher levels in seminal plasma were observed for insulin and visfatin. In comparison to the non-obese subjects, obese subjects showed a higher blood serum concentration of c-peptide, GLP-1, GIP and leptin and a higher concentration of seminal plasma of GIP and insulin. Total sperm count, progressive motility, motility, and atypical forms directly correlated with PAI-1 and visfatin, whereas GLP-1 directly correlated only with total progressive motility.ConclusionObese men showed a different pattern of blood serum and seminal plasma adipokines and hormone peptides concentrations in comparison to normal-weight men. Furthermore, these molecules correlated with functional seminal parameters. Our findings support the option to consider these molecules as new biomarkers and pharmacological targets for a new therapeutic approach in male infertility. However, further studies identifying other potential biomarkers of male infertility with important clinical implication and characterizing their mechanisms of action are mandatory.