Background: In addition to the metabolic effects in diabetes, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists lead to a small but substantial increase in heart rate (HR). However, the GLP-1R actions on the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in diabetes remain debated. Therefore, this meta-analysis evaluates the effect of GLP-1R agonist on measures of ANS function in diabetes. Methods: According to the Cochrane Collaboration and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement, we conducted a meta-analysis considering clinical trials in which the autonomic function was evaluated in diabetic subjects chronically treated with GLP-1R agonists. The outcomes were the change of ANS function measured by heart rate variability (HRV) and cardiac autonomic reflex tests (CARTs). Results: In the studies enrolled, HR significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001), whereas low frequency/high frequency ratio did not differ (P=0.410); no changes in other measures of HRV were detected. Considering CARTs, only the 30:15 value derived from lying-to-standing test was significantly lower after treatment (P=0.002), but only two studies reported this measurement. No differences in other CARTs outcome were observed. Conclusion The meta-analysis confirms the HR increase but seems to exclude an alteration of the sympatho-vagal balance due to chronic treatment with GLP-1R agonists in diabetes, considering the available measures of ANS function.

Purpose: Weight loss has been shown to significantly elevate testosterone serum levels, though the impact on semen analysis parameters and fertility remains incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of body weight loss on semen parameters in obese men. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis was performed that included clinical trials in which a semen analysis before and after weight loss was evaluated. All strategies potentially available for weight loss were considered eligible. The primary outcome was the comparison of conventional semen analysis parameters before and after weight loss. Results: Twelve studies were considered including 345 subjects (mean age 37.6±7.9 years; mean baseline body mass index 45.4±6.0 kg/m2). Weight loss resulted in a significant increase of sperm concentration (effect size 0.495, standard error 0.251 [0.003, 0.986], p=0.049) and progressive motility (effect size 0.567, standard error 0.372 [0.370, 0.764], p<0.001). Moreover, a significant decrease of sperm DNA fragmentation index after weight loss (effect size −0.689, standard error 0.278 [−1.123, −0.255], p=0.002) was observed. Conclusions This meta-analytic analysis confirmed that body weight loss may improve qualitative and quantitative sperm characteristics providing evidence for suggesting weight loss to male partners with obesity and semen analysis alteration in couples attempting conception.

Purpose: Weight loss has been shown to significantly elevate testosterone serum levels, though the impact on semen analysis parameters and fertility remains incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of body weight loss on semen parameters in obese men. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis was performed that included clinical trials in which a semen analysis before and after weight loss was evaluated. All strategies potentially available for weight loss were considered eligible. The primary outcome was the comparison of conventional semen analysis parameters before and after weight loss. Results: Twelve studies were considered including 345 subjects (mean age 37.6±7.9 years; mean baseline body mass index 45.4±6.0 kg/m2). Weight loss resulted in a significant increase of sperm concentration (effect size 0.495, standard error 0.251 [0.003, 0.986], p=0.049) and progressive motility (effect size 0.567, standard error 0.372 [0.370, 0.764], p<0.001). Moreover, a significant decrease of sperm DNA fragmentation index after weight loss (effect size −0.689, standard error 0.278 [−1.123, −0.255], p=0.002) was observed. Conclusions This meta-analytic analysis confirmed that body weight loss may improve qualitative and quantitative sperm characteristics providing evidence for suggesting weight loss to male partners with obesity and semen analysis alteration in couples attempting conception.

Purpose: Weight loss has been shown to significantly elevate testosterone serum levels, though the impact on semen analysis parameters and fertility remains incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of body weight loss on semen parameters in obese men. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis was performed that included clinical trials in which a semen analysis before and after weight loss was evaluated. All strategies potentially available for weight loss were considered eligible. The primary outcome was the comparison of conventional semen analysis parameters before and after weight loss. Results: Twelve studies were considered including 345 subjects (mean age 37.6±7.9 years; mean baseline body mass index 45.4±6.0 kg/m2). Weight loss resulted in a significant increase of sperm concentration (effect size 0.495, standard error 0.251 [0.003, 0.986], p=0.049) and progressive motility (effect size 0.567, standard error 0.372 [0.370, 0.764], p<0.001). Moreover, a significant decrease of sperm DNA fragmentation index after weight loss (effect size −0.689, standard error 0.278 [−1.123, −0.255], p=0.002) was observed. Conclusions This meta-analytic analysis confirmed that body weight loss may improve qualitative and quantitative sperm characteristics providing evidence for suggesting weight loss to male partners with obesity and semen analysis alteration in couples attempting conception.

Purpose: Weight loss has been shown to significantly elevate testosterone serum levels, though the impact on semen analysis parameters and fertility remains incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of body weight loss on semen parameters in obese men. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis was performed that included clinical trials in which a semen analysis before and after weight loss was evaluated. All strategies potentially available for weight loss were considered eligible. The primary outcome was the comparison of conventional semen analysis parameters before and after weight loss. Results: Twelve studies were considered including 345 subjects (mean age 37.6±7.9 years; mean baseline body mass index 45.4±6.0 kg/m2). Weight loss resulted in a significant increase of sperm concentration (effect size 0.495, standard error 0.251 [0.003, 0.986], p=0.049) and progressive motility (effect size 0.567, standard error 0.372 [0.370, 0.764], p<0.001). Moreover, a significant decrease of sperm DNA fragmentation index after weight loss (effect size −0.689, standard error 0.278 [−1.123, −0.255], p=0.002) was observed. Conclusions This meta-analytic analysis confirmed that body weight loss may improve qualitative and quantitative sperm characteristics providing evidence for suggesting weight loss to male partners with obesity and semen analysis alteration in couples attempting conception.

Purpose: Weight loss has been shown to significantly elevate testosterone serum levels, though the impact on semen analysis parameters and fertility remains incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of body weight loss on semen parameters in obese men. Materials and Methods: A meta-analysis was performed that included clinical trials in which a semen analysis before and after weight loss was evaluated. All strategies potentially available for weight loss were considered eligible. The primary outcome was the comparison of conventional semen analysis parameters before and after weight loss. Results: Twelve studies were considered including 345 subjects (mean age 37.6±7.9 years; mean baseline body mass index 45.4±6.0 kg/m2). Weight loss resulted in a significant increase of sperm concentration (effect size 0.495, standard error 0.251 [0.003, 0.986], p=0.049) and progressive motility (effect size 0.567, standard error 0.372 [0.370, 0.764], p<0.001). Moreover, a significant decrease of sperm DNA fragmentation index after weight loss (effect size −0.689, standard error 0.278 [−1.123, −0.255], p=0.002) was observed. Conclusions This meta-analytic analysis confirmed that body weight loss may improve qualitative and quantitative sperm characteristics providing evidence for suggesting weight loss to male partners with obesity and semen analysis alteration in couples attempting conception.

Resveratrol has been reported to possess cancer preventive properties. In this study, we analyzed anti-tumor activity of a newly synthesized resveratrol analog, cis-3,4',5-trimethoxy-3'-hydroxystilbene (hereafter called 11b) towards breast and pancreatic cancer cell lines. 11b treatments reduced the proliferation of human pancreatic and breast cancer cells, arrested cells in the G2/M phase, and increased the percentage of cells in the subG1/G0 fraction. The 11b treatments also increased the total levels of mitotic checkpoint proteins such as BubR1, Aurora B, Cyclin B, and phosphorylated histone H3. Mechanistically, 11b blocks microtubule polymerization in vitro and it disturbed microtubule networks in both pancreatic and breast cancer cell lines. Computational modeling of the 11b-tubulin interaction indicates that the dimethoxyphenyl group of 11b can bind to the colchicine binding site of tubulin. Our studies show that the 11b treatment effects occur at lower concentrations than similar effects associated with resveratrol treatments and that microtubules may be the primary target for the observed effects of 11b. These studies suggest that 11b should be further examined as a potentially potent clinical chemotherapeutic agent for treating pancreatic and breast cancer patients.
Antineoplastic Agents/*pharmacology ; Binding Sites ; Breast Neoplasms ; Cell Cycle/drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/*drug effects ; Colchicine/chemistry/pharmacology ; Cyclin B/metabolism ; G2 Phase/drug effects ; Humans ; Microtubules/drug effects/metabolism ; Models, Molecular ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Protein-Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism ; Stilbenes/*pharmacology ; Tubulin/metabolism