Cinnoxicam and L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine treatment for idiopathic and varicocele-associated oligoasthenospermia

J Androl. 2004 Sep-Oct;25(5):761-70; discussion 771-2. doi: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.2004.tb02853.x.

Abstract

The objective of this study was to detect a therapy for idiopathic and varicocele-associated oligoasthenospermia (OAT). Idiopathic and varicocele OAT patients were randomized into 3 groups. Each group was composed of varying degrees of left varicoceles (graded into 5 grades with echo-color Doppler) and of idiopathic OATs. Group 1 used a placebo, group 2 used oral L-carnitine (2 g/d) + acetyl-L-carnitine (1 g/d), group 3 used L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine + 1 x 30-mg cinnoxicam suppository every 4 days. Drugs were administered for 6 months. The groups were composed as follows: group 1, 71 varicoceles and 47 idiopathic OATs; group 2, 62 varicoceles and 39 idiopathic OATs; group 3, 62 varicoceles and 44 idiopathic OATs. Sperm concentration, motility, and morphology before during and after treatments were assessed. Pregnancy rates and side effects were recorded. Group 1 did not have modified sperm patterns during treatment. Group 2 had significantly increased sperm patterns at 3 and 6 months into therapy in idiopathic patients and in patients with grades I, II, and III varicocele, but not in grades IV and V. Group 3 had significantly increased sperm parameters in all patients, with the exception of grade V varicocele. Group 3 sperm patterns proved significantly higher during therapy than group 2. All sperm patterns fell to baseline after therapy suspension. Minor side effects occurred. Pregnancy rates were 1.7% (group 1), 21.8% (group 2), and 38.0% (group 3) (P <.01). L-carnitine/acetyl-L-carnitine + cinnoxicam suppositories proved a reliable treatment for low-grade varicoceles and idiopathic OATs.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acetylcarnitine / therapeutic use*
  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / therapeutic use*
  • Carnitine / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Piroxicam / analogs & derivatives*
  • Piroxicam / therapeutic use
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Rate
  • Spermatozoa / drug effects
  • Testis / drug effects*
  • Varicocele / complications

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal
  • Piroxicam
  • Acetylcarnitine
  • piroxicam cinnamate
  • Carnitine