S Fernandes

Publications (3)4.12 Total impact

• Article: Nitric oxide production is not altered in preeclampsia.

  F M E Diejomaoh, A E Omu, N Al-Busiri, S Taher, S Al-Othman, T Fatinikun, S Fernandes
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  ABSTRACT: Preeclampsia remains a disease of theories as the real aetiology has remained elusive. Altered nitric oxide production has been associated with preeclampsia although conflicting results showing elevation, decrease or no change in nitric oxide levels have emerged from previous studies. The aim of the study was to measure the serum levels of nitrate and nitrite in normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia. Venous blood was extracted from 39 normal pregnant women (control) and 34 women with preeclampsia (study group). Serum concentrations of nitrate and nitrite were determined using the HPLC method. Other special investigations including renal function tests were performed. The patients were managed according to protocol and the outcome of the pregnancies evaluated. There was no significant difference in the mean maternal age and gestational age at delivery between the groups. However the mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure of the study group (150.5 mmHg and 98.8 mmHg) were significantly higher than the levels in the control group, (110.86 and 85.5), p<0.0001. There was no significant difference in the mean serum nitrate levels (19.157+/-13.407 vs. 19.189+/-16.805) p=0.993. The fetal and maternal outcomes were comparable. Our study has demonstrated that there was no alteration in nitric oxide production in preeclampsia, thus contributing to the existing unresolved role of nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Further research is called for.
  Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics 06/2004; 269(4):237-43. · 1.28 Impact Factor
• Article: Seminal immune response in infertile men with leukocytospermia: effect on antioxidant activity.

  A E Omu, F Al-Qattan, F M Al-Abdul-Hadi, M T Fatinikun, S Fernandes
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  ABSTRACT: To investigate the incidence of leukocytospermia and relation to T helper cytokines, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) and interleukin-4 (IL-4), antisperm antibodies and antioxidant activity. Design: Semen samples from 176 infertile men and 24 fertile controls were investigated. The protocol included tubal patency test, hysterosalpingography and laparoscopy and dye test and ovulation through mid-luteal phase progesterone for the wives. The husbands had semen analysis, cytomorphology evaluation and semen culture. Seminal TNFalpha and IL-4, antisperm antibodies, total antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase and zinc were determined. Leukocytospermia occurred in 44.3% of the infertile men compared to 12.5% of the fertile men (P<0.01). Thirty-six (20.5%) men had pathogenic bacterial organisms which constituted 46.2% of those with leukocytospermia. Sperm parameters were worse with leukocytospermia in terms of sperm count (P<0.01), total motility progressive motility (P<0.01), morphology, asthenozoospermia, sperm membrane integrity and antisperm antibodies. TNFalpha and IL-4 had an inverse relationship; the expression of TNFalpha was higher with leukocytospermia and bacteriospermia (P<0.001), while IL-4 was higher in fertile controls (P<0.005). Incidence of antisperm antibodies was higher with leukocytospermia. Total antioxidant activity, superoxide dismutase and zinc were lower with leukocytospermia. Leukocytospermia impairs sperm function through reduced antioxidant activity and enhanced T helper 1 modulation.
  European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology 11/1999; 86(2):195-202. · 1.97 Impact Factor
• Article: Antibiotic therapy for seminal infection. Effect on antioxidant activity and T-helper cytokines.

  A E Omu, S al-Othman, A S Mohamad, N M al-Kaluwby, S Fernandes
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  ABSTRACT: To investigate the effect of antibiotic therapy on seminal infection. The seminal plasma of 50 men was evaluated in three groups: (1) men with seminal infection (20), (2) men with leukocytospermia only (18), and (3) men of proven fertility (12). The evaluation protocol included semen analysis, culture and antibiotic sensitivity test, total antioxidant activity, alpha-tocopherol and retinol, T-helper cytokines, IL-2, IL-8, IL-4 and antisperm antibodies. Sperm parameters were worse with seminal infection: 25 versus 84 million per milliliter for fertile men. Antioxidant activity, total alpha-tocopherol and retinol were reduced in leukocytospermia (P < .02, .01) and seminal infection (P < .01, .05) as compared to controls. Antisperm antibodies IL-2 and IL-8 were highly expressed, while IL-4 was low in men with leukocytospermia and bacteriospermia. Gram-negative organisms were more associated with expression of T-helper 1 cytokines than T-helper 2 cytokines. Antibiotic therapy significantly improved the sperm parameters, antioxidant activity and IL-4 but reduced IL-2 and IL-8 and had no effect on antisperm antibody titer. Antibiotic therapy improves sperm parameters by increasing antioxidant activity and IL-4 and by reducing IL-2 and IL-8.
  The Journal of reproductive medicine 10/1998; 43(10):857-64. · 0.87 Impact Factor