Semen reactive oxygen species levels are correlated with erectile function among chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome patients

Int J Impot Res. 2018 Nov;30(6):335-341. doi: 10.1038/s41443-018-0047-1. Epub 2018 Aug 1.

Abstract

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is often associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of ED occurrence are still unclear in patients with CP/CPPS. The aim of the study was to investigate superoxide anion (O2•-) and total reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in semen of men with category IIIA CP/CPPS and their association with ED. This prospective study included 33 men with category IIIA CP/CPPS. Control group consisted of 13 healthy men. Total ROS and O2•- production were assayed by luminol and lucigenin-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) methods, respectively. ED was evaluated using the IIEF-5 questionnaire. Patients with CP/CPPS had significantly higher seminal total ROS and O2•- levels than healthy control subjects (2.9 ± 0.5 relative light unit (RLU) vs. 2.4 ± 0.2 RLU, p < 0.001; luminol-dependent CL and 2.5 ± 0.4 RLU vs. 2.3 ± 0.2 RLU, p = 0.02; lucigenin-dependent CL, respectively). Seminal O2•- and ROS levels were negatively correlated with IIEF-5 scores (r = -0.556, r = -0.536; p < 0.001, respectively). These results may suggest O2•-/ROS overproduction could be one of the important mechanisms in the etiology of ED development in CP/CPPS patients.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Erectile Dysfunction / complications*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Penile Erection
  • Prospective Studies
  • Prostatitis / complications*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / chemistry*
  • Regression Analysis
  • Semen / chemistry*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Turkey

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species