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Obesity related metabolic endotoxemia is associated with oxidative stress and impaired sperm DNA integrity

Karma L Pearce1, Amy Hill1, Kelton P Tremellen1,2,3

  • 11School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Division of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia 5001 Australia.

Basic and Clinical Andrology
|May 23, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Obesity increases intestinal permeability, leading to metabolic endotoxemia and oxidative stress. This damages sperm DNA integrity, potentially impacting male fertility.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Biology
  • Endocrinology
  • Immunology

Background:

  • Obesity is linked to inflammation, oxidative stress, and reduced sperm DNA integrity.
  • Increased intestinal permeability in obesity leads to metabolic endotoxemia, causing systemic inflammation and oxidative stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that obesity-induced intestinal permeability and metabolic endotoxemia contribute to male reproductive tract inflammation, increased reactive oxygen species, sperm oxidative stress, and DNA damage.

Main Methods:

  • Pilot study involving 37 infertile men.
  • Correlation analysis between Body Mass Index (BMI), serum zonulin (intestinal permeability), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP, metabolic endotoxemia), seminal 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, sperm DNA oxidative damage), and Halosperm (sperm DNA fragmentation).
  • Statistical adjustment for confounders including age, BMI, and abstinence duration.

Main Results:

  • Significant positive correlations were found between BMI, intestinal permeability, metabolic endotoxemia, sperm DNA oxidative damage, and sperm DNA fragmentation.
  • Metabolic endotoxemia showed a significant positive correlation with sperm DNA oxidative damage, even after adjusting for confounders.
  • Metabolic endotoxemia and associated oxidative stress appear to be key factors in sperm DNA damage in obese men.

Conclusions:

  • The study confirms a relationship between obesity, increased intestinal permeability, endotoxin exposure, and oxidative-mediated sperm DNA damage.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the precise effects of metabolic endotoxemia on male reproductive function.
  • Findings suggest potential for new therapeutic strategies to enhance male fertility in obese individuals.
Keywords:
Intestinal permeabilityLPSMetabolic endotoxemiaOxidative stressSperm DNA integrity

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