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Biomedical subjects

F R Ochsendorf

Publications and source records attributed to F R Ochsendorf.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy for the investigation of the fluidity of human spermatozoa plasma membranes: a feasibility study.

Spermatozoal membrane perturbations may play a role in abnormal sperm functions. The objective of this investigation was to study the feasibility of measuring membrane fluidity of isolated human sperm by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and to compare the order parameter of spectra obtained from the sperm plasma membranes of living sperm of fertile men with that of infertile men. Ejaculates of infertile and fertile men were washed and the spermatozoa labelled with 5-doxylstearic acid (5-DSA) and 16-doxylstearic-acid (16-DSA) (10 nmol per 4 x 10(7) sperm). The reporter group of 5-DSA partitions into the outer, hydrophilic part of the sperm plasma membrane, whereas that of 16-DSA is distributed in the inner hydrophobic part. The following results were obtained: (i) the lowest measurable cell count was 3.6 to 7 x 10(6) sperm and the interassay variance of the order-parameter s was < 1%; (ii) swim-up experiments revealed a higher fluidity of sperm with a higher percentage of motility; (iii) sperm membranes of infertile patients exhibited a decreased fluidity of their plasma membranes in the polar interface region of 5-DSA compared with volunteer semen donors and fertile men (P=0.002). No difference of membrane fluidity was found between the different groups using 16-DSA. It is concluded that EPR spectroscopy can be used to study the fluidity of sperm plasma membranes in fertile and infertile men.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Chlamydia trachomatis and male infertility: chlamydia-IgA antibodies in seminal plasma are C. trachomatis specific and associated with an inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND: There is controversy over the role of asymptomatic genital tract infection by Chlamydia trachomatis, its optimal diagnosis, and its place in the etiology of male infertility. OBJECTIVE: Comparison of direct detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in semen with the presence of chlamydia-antibodies in seminal plasma and serum, together with parameters of the spermatogram, in men of infertile relationships. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. SETTING: University hospital tertiary referral center. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Two groups of consecutive andrological patients (n = 89 and n = 36) were investigated as follows: semen analysis, including concentration of granulocyte-elastase; detection of C. trachomatis in semen samples and first void urine by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and antigen-ELISA (Celisa); detection of chlamydia antibodies in serum and seminal plasma by recombinant antibody-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (rELISA) and of Chlamydia trachomatis specific antibodies by the ImmunoComb-Chlamydia-Bivalent test. RESULTS: In 2/125 (1.6%) semen samples Chlamydia trachomatis DNA was detected by PCR. Genus specific anti-chlamydia-IgA was found in 12/122 (9%) of the seminal plasmas. This IgA appeared to be specific for C. trachomatis. Seminal plasmas with chlamydia-IgA antibodies showed higher PMN-elastase levels than IgA negative samples (P < 0.04). Chlamydia-IgG antibodies were present in 27/89 (30%) of the sera, but in only five of these 27 sera (19%) were the antibodies detected specific for C. trachomatis. There were no associations between any of these variables and the parameters of the routine semen analysis. CONCLUSION: IgA-chlamydial antibodies in seminal plasma appeared to be specific against C. trachomatis and were associated with an inflammatory response in the male genital tract.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Glutathione in spermatozoa and seminal plasma of infertile men.

Glutathione has a central role in the defence against oxidative damage; however, the data on glutathione concentrations in the semen of infertile men are limited. To expand this knowledge the glutathione content of the ejaculates and blood plasmas of 77 infertile men and 11 controls were analysed. The concentrations of total glutathione were assessed in spermatozoa, seminal plasma and blood plasma using a coupled spectrophotometric assay. In the spermatozoa of patients with oligozoospermia the glutathione concentrations (2.57+/-0.96 nmol/10[8] spermatozoa; mean +/- SD) were significantly lower than in the controls (3.49+/-0.87 nmol/10[8] spermatozoa; P +/- 0.03). The glutathione content of spermatozoa from patients with normozoospermia showed large variations (3.04+/-1.37 nmol/10[8] spermatozoa). An association between the intracellular glutathione content and the ability to penetrate bovine cervical mucus was observed (r = 0.2, P = 0.04). The intracellular glutathione concentrations correlated with the glutathione levels in seminal plasma (r = 0.46, P < 0.0001). There was no correlation between glutathione concentrations in blood plasma and those in seminal plasma or in spermatozoa. The glutathione concentrations in seminal plasmas did not differ between the different groups, however, correlated with the serum follicle stimulating hormone concentrations (r = 0.53, P = 0.005). This study demonstrated that intracellular glutathione levels of spermatozoa are decreased in certain populations of infertile men.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Infection and reactive oxygen species.

In previous years the physiologic and pathophysiologic significance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on sperm function has been recognized. The impact of ROS during the invasion, adhesion and multiplication of microorganisms in the male genital tract are largely unknown. However, it is known that the resulting activation of leukocytes leads to an increased generation of ROS. There is growing evidence that spermatozoa are protected from detrimental ROS effects by the powerful antioxidants in seminal plasma since disturbances of sperm function by ROS were demonstrated in the absence of seminal plasma, i.e., during epididymitis or after semen preparation. If seminal plasma is present, ROS generated by physiologic numbers of granulocytes (< 1 x 10(6) ml-1) apparently do not damage spermatozoa. Interestingly, ROS generated by leukocytes during male genital tract infections are critical for the techniques of semen preparation for assisted reproduction. These ROS impair sperm function if the protective effects of seminal plasma are not present. The relevance of ROS production by higher leukocyte numbers in human semen is presently unknown as is the relevance of ROS generated in the female reproductive tract.

Female↗
PubMed1997

Epidemiological features of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease in Germany and in Europe.

The German Registry of Adamantiades-Behçet's disease was founded in 1990 in Berlin and it provides current data on the epidemiology, the clinical manifestations and the course of the disease in Germany on a continuous basis. A total of 218 patients, including 89 German and 100 Turkish patients, had been reported to the German Registry until October 1997. One hundred and ninety-six patients fulfilled the criteria of the Behçet's disease classification tree. The prevalence of the disease evaluated in Berlin-West was 1.68/100,000 in 1989 and had risen to 2.26/100,000 by 1994. The median age of onset was 25 years (range 5 to 66 years; German-Turks, ns). Juvenile disease was recorded in 6.9% of patients. The complete clinical picture according to the criteria of the International Study Group of Behçet's Disease developed in 15.5 months. The interval between onset of the disease and diagnosis was 35 months, which was significantly longer than the duration of the development of the complete clinical picture (p < 0.0001). The disease was diagnosed later in German (48.5 months) than in Turkish patients (25.5 months, p = 0.003). While German patients presented an equal male-to-female ratio, a male predominance was shown in Turkish patients (M:F 2.1:1, p = 0.022). Familial occurrence was detected in 2.0% of German and 15.9% of Turkish patients (p = 0.013). The frequencies of major clinical manifestations were: oral ulcers 99%, skin lesions 76%, genital ulcers 75%, ocular manifestations 59%, arthritis 59%, and positive pathergy test 52%. Clinical differences between German and Turkish patients were only found in the frequency of ocular lesions (48% vs. 66%, p = 0.025). Oral ulcers were with 72% the most common onset symptom of the disease followed by erythema nodosum (9%), uveitis (7%), arthritis (7%), genital ulcers (3%), superficial thrombophlebitis (2%) and papules/sterile pustules (2%). Uveitis and erythema nodosum as onset symptoms shortened the median interval to diagnosis to 1.5 and 15 months, respectively, while arthritis delayed diagnosis (43.5 months; p = 0.029). A severe course developed in 25% of the patients; irreversible retinal vasculitis to blindness in 15%, sterile meningoencephalitis in 8%, severe arthritis in 5%, hemoptysis in 2%, lethal outcome in 2% and bowel perforation in 1%. The relative risk of HLA-B5 positive German natives developing the disease. HLA-B5 was confirmed as a marker of severe prognosis. Cardiolipin autoantibodies were associated with cutaneous vasculitis and superficial thrombophlebitis was correlated with systemic vessel involvement.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Ascorbic acid and urate in human seminal plasma: determination and interrelationships with chemiluminescence in washed semen.

Peroxidative damage induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) has been proposed as one of the major causes of defective sperm function. The ROS detected in semen reflect an imbalance between ROS generation and degradation. The objective of the present study was to investigate the relationship between the oxidative and anti-oxidative potential in semen of infertile patients and healthy donors. Specimens were obtained from 28 patients and 18 healthy donors (controls). A conventional spermiogram, measurement of luminol-chemiluminescence (CL) in washed semen, and high performance liquid chromatography determination of ascorbic acid and urate concentrations in seminal plasma were performed. Oligozoospermic patients exhibited higher CL signals than controls (P < 0.001). Normozoospermic patients showed lower ascorbic acid (mean +/- SE: 491 +/- 46 microM, P < 0.04) and urate concentrations (320 +/- 22 microM, P < 0.009) than controls (612 +/- 35 and 426 +/- 26 microM respectively). Seminal plasma ascorbic acid was negatively correlated with the CL signals (P < 0.0006) and positively correlated with the percentage of spermatozoa with normal morphology (P < 0.006). This is the first report of a correlation between the anti-oxidant ascorbic acid in seminal plasma and ROS generation in human semen. Furthermore, the reduced ascorbic acid/urate concentrations found in semen of normozoospermic patients might be indicative of a reduced anti-oxidative protection.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Vitiligo therapy with phenylalanine/UV A. Catamnestic studies after five years].

Since 1983 the administration of phenylalanine combined with UVA exposure (PAUVA) has been a well-known therapy for vitiligo. We have found no retrospective studies on this therapy. To document the long-term results and side effects, we performed a retrospective study on 41 patients who had received PAUVA therapy about 5 years ago. Examination was possible in 25 of the 41 patients, and 11 of them (44%) had permanent repigmentation. Depigmentation either during or after PAUVA therapy was recognized in 16 of the 25 patients (64%). In 52% of cases the patients were satisfied with the therapy and would repeat it; 68% would recommend it. Positive features in prognosis, i.e. indicative of good repigmentation, were vitiligo extending over less than 25% of the body surface, onset of vitiligo before the age of 21, generalized and symmetrical distribution and a long duration of UV therapy. None of our patients developed long-term side effects. PAUVA therapy is demonstrably a therapeutic alternative for certain patients.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Exacerbation of lichen planus during interferon alfa-2a therapy for chronic active hepatitis C.

A 66-year-old man was treated for chronic active hepatitis C with 3 MU of recombinant interferon alfa-2a three times weekly. Nine months before interferon therapy, a mild lichen planus had been diagnosed, which exacerbated within 4 weeks of treatment to a generalized erosive lichen planus. After 8 weeks, interferon therapy was stopped because local measures did not improve skin lesions. Otherwise, the patient tolerated interferon therapy well, and the initially 20-fold elevated aminotransferase levels returned to normal. Four weeks after discontinuation of interferon therapy, nearly all mucosal and skin lesions had disappeared. But 8 weeks after the discontinuation, aminotransferase levels again rose to 10 times the normal range. Treating physicians should know that a preexisting lichen planus will potentially exacerbate as a side effect of interferon alfa-2a therapy of a chronic hepatitis. However, because this is the first report on this association, further observations are needed to decide the clinical relevance.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Herpes zoster: daily marking of new vesicles in therapeutic studies. A clinical method for objective assessment of the end of the eruptive phase.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of a therapeutic agent must be evaluated by objective criteria. However, in herpes zoster (HZ) studies there has been no generally accepted objective clinical criterion. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to establish a clinical method for determining objectively the point in time at which the eruptive phase of HZ is completed (no new vesicle formation). This point is said to be a clinical criterion for the end of viral replication in the skin and thus for measuring the efficacy of a virustatic agent. METHODS: Newly formed vesicles were marked with differently colored permanent marker pens each day. This method was evaluated by comparing the results of acyclovir therapy in two groups of patients with HZ. (Group A, no underlying malignancy; n = 9. Group B, underlying malignancy; 64% of these patients were undergoing cytostatic polychemotherapy or had immunodeficiency; n = 22). RESULTS: In both groups, acyclovir stopped the eruption of new vesicles within 1.8 and 2.8 days, respectively (not statistically significant). Group B showed a tendency toward more protracted hematogenous dissemination and a longer duration of therapy. The total duration of the eruptive phase depended solely on the length of the interval between the onset of the HZ and the beginning of therapy. CONCLUSION: The method of marking new vesicles is independent of laboratory facilities, simple, and cost effective; in addition, this method is suitable for statistical evaluation. It is thus superior to other clinical methods for objective assessment of the progression of HZ.

Acyclovir↗
PubMed1993

[Current therapeutic possibilities in cutaneous larva migrans].

The recommendations for the treatment of cutaneous larva migrans are not uniform, and the recommended methods are neither always available nor always effective. If only the skin is affected, primarily topical therapy is indicated. Topical thiabendazole combines efficacy with missing systemic side-effects. In Germany the pure substance has to be used or Mintezol tablets must be purchased from abroad. Topical mebendazole and freezing with liquid nitrogen are less effective and involve side-effects. If topical treatment fails, systemic therapy is required. The recognized treatment with oral thiabendazole (2 days) is associated with numerous side-effects. There are now two new, safer drugs that should be preferred: albendazole (400 mg/day for 3 days), available in Germany as Eskazole, or ivermectin (single dose of 200 micrograms/kg). The latter can be ordered from the manufacturer under the trade name of Mectizan.

Administration, Topical↗
PubMed1992

Sequential concentration of chloroquine in human hair correlates with ingested dose and duration of therapy.

Human scalp hair was analyzed for chloroquine using gas-chromatography. In 5 patients it was demonstrated that the amount of uptake of chloroquine into the hair varied proportionally with the dosage (from 500 mg/week to 10 g single dose) and with the time of administration. The chloroquine concentrations ranged from 8 to 1100 micrograms/g hair. Chloroquine could be determined quantitatively after a single toxic dosage used in a suicidal attempt and also after low therapeutic doses. The sequential examination of the hair shaft allows an assessment of the chloroquine amount taken over time, the individual dosage, the initiation and termination of therapy. As hairs can be collected easily, they are a unique specimen for investigation, and it is suggested that they can virtually be used as a "tachogram" of chloroquine drug-therapy or intoxication.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Subacute chloroquine overdosage].

Owing to a misunderstanding a 26-year-old man took for malaria prevention 2 tablets (1.0 g) chloroquine daily instead of the recommended dose of two tablets weekly. After 2 weeks he developed vertigo, generalized weakness and, after sun-bathing, severe bullous light reaction. After 4 weeks generalized hair depigmentation occurred. Two weeks later abnormal accommodation and double vision set in so that he lost distant and near vision. All these signs disappeared after the drug was discontinued (vertigo, weakness and abnormal accommodation within 2 weeks; hair regrew in normal colour after 8 weeks). This case shows the whole spectrum of subacute chloroquine overdosage.

Accommodation, Ocular↗