Theophylline as a cyclic
adenosine monophosphate (
cAMP) phosphodiesterase inhibitor (cAMP-PDEI) elevates cAMP levels. We aimed to evaluate the
therapeutic effect and toxicity of
theophylline on the sperm parameters, oxidative stress (OS), and
inflammation in asthenoteratozoospermic men. Sixty asthenoteratozoospermic patients were divided into groups of placebo and
theophylline (200 mg/day). After 3 months of oral treatment, sperm parameters, viability, and DNA fragmentation were analyzed by the CASA system,
eosin nigrosin staining, sperm DNA fragmentation kit, respectively. The seminal plasma level of
reactive oxygen species (ROS) of neat semen samples,
malondialdehyde (MDA), total
antioxidant capacity (TAC),
tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and
interleukin-10 (IL-10) was assessed. Data were analyzed statistically using the independent samples t-test and the paired t-test and the means were considered significantly different at p < 0.05. Sperm motility, viability, and the number of sperms with normal morphology and the seminal plasma level of TAC and
IL-10 and also sperm DNA fragmentation increased significantly in the
theophylline group compared to the placebo. The MDA, TNF-α, and ROS levels decreased significantly in the
theophylline group compared to the placebo.
Theophylline improved sperm parameters, reduced OS and
inflammation, but also created genotoxicity and increased sperm DNA fragmentation. Therefore, to benefit from the desired effects of
theophylline and inhibit the toxicity of it in the treatment of men with
asthenoteratozoospermia, it is suggested to be used simultaneously with another
antioxidant to protect sperm
DNA from fragmentation.