In industrialised countries, it is estimated that about 15% of couples who wish to have a child are currently facing infertility problems, of which, in half of the cases, an anomaly in sperm quality or at least a factor of male origin is identified. The evaluation of sperm quality in males is based, for the most part, on the micro and macroscopic examination of various parameters (concentration, motility, physical abnormalities of the spermatozoa, etc.). Nevertheless, an increasing number of scientific studies have shown that the quality of sperm DNA, and in particular its fragmentation rate, is also associated with a lower fertilisation rate. The integrity of sperm DNA may be affected by an imbalance in the Red/Ox balance leading to uncompensated oxidative stress, and could be restored or improved by dietary hygiene measures and the consumption of specific dietary products. The ISITOL clinical study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a dietary supplement specifically formulated to target the various issues associated with male infertility, and in particular to contribute to the improvement of the sperm DNA fragmentation rate. The efficacy of the dietary supplement Isitol® (GYNOV SAS) on sperm DNA fragmentation rate and other secondary parameters is being evaluated through a single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blind, interventional vs. placebo clinical study being conducted in France at Laboratoire Drouot (21 Rue Drouot - 75009 Paris - France) and led by Dr. Nino-Guy Cassuto. A total of 72 men aged between 20 and 45 years, with sperm DNA fragmentation rate ≥ 30% and with negative semen culture are recruited. The recruited patients were randomized in a 1:1 scheme into 2 groups (Isitol® treated vs placebo treated).
\[Results to be reported later\]
Male patient volunteers aged 20 to 45 years (limits included);
Socially insured patient receiving benefits from the French Social Security's health branch
Patients suffering from infertility of infectious or genetic origin, or from a pathology requiring concomitant medical treatment;
Consumption of dietary supplements during the previous 3 months and during the course of the study;
Positive semen culture
Parallel
Isitol®
Dietary supplement1 sachet of Isitol® (2,1g) contains : * 1000 mg of myo-inositol ; * 300 mg of N-acetyl-cystein ; * 48.5 mg of zinc citrate (equivalent zinc pure element : 15 mg) ; * 35 mg of D-a-tocopherol (equivalent vitamin E pure element : 12 mg) ; * 16 mg of vitamin B3 ; * 1.8 mg of pyridoxin hydrochloride (equivalent vitamin B6 pure element : 1.4 mg) ; * 1.4 mg of vitamin B2 ; * 0.37 mg of (6S)-5-methyltetrahydrofolic acid, glucosamine salt (equivalent vitamin B9 pure element : 0.2 mg). Sachets are packaged in box of 30.
Placebo
Other intervention1 sachet of placebo (2,1g) contains : * 1765.1 of maltodextrin ; * 300 mg of magnesium carbonate ; * 40 mg of citric acid ; * 5.3 mg of beta-carotene ; * 2.16 mg of silicon dioxide ; * 1.44 mg of sucralose. Sachets are packaged in box of 30.
Change from baseline sperm DNA fragmentation rate at 4 months
Sperm DNA fragmentation rate is assessed by the TUNEL (Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling) method. This method is based on the attachment of fluorochrome-coupled biotin-deoxyuridine (dUDP) complexes to the 3'OH ends of possible DNA fragments. The binding of the complexes to the DNA is catalysed by the enzyme Terminal-deoxynucleotidyltransferase. Spermatozoa with fragmented DNA are detected and their percentage measured directly by in-situ confocal fluorescence microscopy.
Change from baseline nuclear chromatin decondensation of spermatozoa at 4 months
Nuclear chromatin decondensation is assessed by the aniline blue method and expressed in percentage (%).
Change from baseline semen volume at 4 months
Semen volume is expressed in mL.
Change from baseline semen pH at 4 months
Semen pH is expressed without unit, the values ranging from 1 to 14.
Change from baseline semen liquefaction time at 4 months
When the sample is collected it presents a state of coagulation, and must be liquefied to proceed to its study. Semen liquefaction time is expressed in minutes.
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GYNOV
Lead sponsor
Laboratoire Drouot
Collaborator
