Ricerca Progetti nazionali, regionali, internazionaliNAZIONALIPRIN 2022 PNRRSexual and reproductive

Sexual and reproductive benefits of lifestyle changes in diabetic subjects

Andrological health is recognized as a mirror of general and metabolic health. Diabetes and its metabolic consequences are associated with erectile dysfunction, impaired semen parameters and increased risk of unfavorable epigenetic modifications. These, in particular, may induce a transgenerational risk of chronic disease. Unfortunately, data on the role of lifestyle measures in improving these alterations is scant. Therefore, the aim of this project is to extensively evaluate the changes upon lifestyle measures in sexual and semen parameters as well as in the epigenetics of genes involved in fertility and transgenerational risk of chronic diseases. This will be obtained by a preclinical study (“Preclinical study”) aimed to assess the molecular and functional modifications obtained with a standardized physical exercise (PhyEx) program and/or restoration of a standardized regular diet (RD) applied to two animal models of diabetes. In parallel, we will conduct a clinical studies (“Clinical Study”) aimed to evaluate the change in sexual, semen and epigenetic parameters in men with diabetes undergoing standardized protocols of diet. Preclinical study (conducted by Rastrelli Unit) - adult male animals (rabbit and rat) will be randomly assigned to one of the following study arms: i) control for 4 weeks, ii) control for 8 weeks, iii) diabetic animal for 4 weeks, iv) diabetic animal for 8 weeks v) control animal for 8 weeks, starting PhyEx at week 4 for 4 weeks, and vi) diabetic animals for 8 weeks, starting PhyEx at week 4 for 4 weeks. Gene expression, histopathologic characteristics, in vitro contractility studies and serum and tissue hormone levels will be performed to assess the effect of PhyEx in animals with established diabetes on testis function, corpora cavernosa contractility and sperm characteristics.

Clinical Study (conducted by Pallotti Unit) - men with diabetes aged 18-55 years will undergo andrological clinical assessment before and after 3 months of a structured hypoglycemic diet. Levels of physical activity, erectile and sexual functions will be evaluated by questionnaires, whereas reproductive function will be assessed by semen analysis, sperm DNA fragmentation, cytokine concentration in the semen plasma and epigenetic evaluation of genes involved in fertility. Circulating cytokines concentration will be also assessed as well as the epigenetic of genes involved in the transgenerational risk of diseases. Both Units will collaborate sharing biological samples and expertise to perform several analyses requested by the project, which are part of the scientific background of either one or the other Unit.

 

Data di avvio 30 Novembre 2023

Data di completamento 30 Novembre 2025

Total cost  € 107772

 

Progetto P2022HYWNR finanziato all’interno del Bando PRIN 2022 PNRR di cui al Decreto Direttoriale n. 1409 del 14/9/2022 nell’ambito del Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza, Missione 4 – Componente 2. Dalla Ricerca all’Impresa - Investimento 1.1 Fondo per il Programma Nazionale della Ricerca (PNR) e Progetti di Ricerca di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale (PRIN), finanziato dall’Unione europea – NextGenerationEU – CUP B53D23030650001