Effect of keishibukuryogan combined with tocopherol nicotinate on sperm parameters in patients with a varicocele.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the efficacy of keishibukuryogan, a traditional Kampo formula known to be an anti-Oketsu (impaired microcirculation and non-physiological blood congestion) drug, in combination with an anti-oxidant for the treatment of varicoceles.

METHODS:

We retrospectively analyzed 119 patients with palpable and subclinical varicoceles who were treated with 7.5 g/day of keishibukuryogan and 600 mg/day of tocopherol nicotinate. Their motile sperm concentrations at the start of medication and after 3 months were compared. As a subgroup analysis, a comparison test was carried out between patients with a high-grade varicocele and those with a low-grade varicocele.

RESULTS:

The mean age of the study patients was 35.6 years. Among them, 17, 41, 44 and 17 had subclinical, grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3 varicoceles, respectively. Overall, the differences in motile sperm concentration (millions/mL) before and after treatment were not significant (median 0.58, 95% confidence interval -0.12 to 1.56; P = 0.115). The results of the subgroup analysis showed that the motile sperm concentration in patients with a low-grade varicocele significantly increased (median 1.21, 95% confidence interval 0.45-2.47; P = 0.024); however, no significant improvements were seen in patients with a high-grade varicocele.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results of the present study showed that the combination of keishibukuryogan and an anti-oxidant had a limited effect on varicoceles, but they suggest that it is effective for the treatment of low-grade varicoceles.

• Authors: Teppei Takeshima, Jurii Karibe, Tomoki Saito, Yukari Ishibashi, Kimitsugu Usui, Kohei Mori, Shinnosuke Kuroda, Mitsuru Komeya, Yasushi Yumura
• Journal: International journal of urology : official journal of the Japanese Urological Association (Int J Urol) Vol. 29 Issue 2 Pg. 165-169 (Feb 2022) ISSN: 1442-2042 [Electronic] Australia
• PMID: 34818687 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: © 2021 The Japanese Urological Association.

Chemical References

• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• keishibukuryogan
• Niacin
• Tocopherols

Topics

• Adult
• Drugs, Chinese Herbal
• Humans
• Infertility, Male (drug therapy)
• Male
• Niacin
• Retrospective Studies
• Spermatozoa
• Tocopherols
• Varicocele (drug therapy)