Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility
<i>Purpose:</i> Over the past 40–50 years, demographic shifts and the obesity epidemic have coincided with significant changes in lifestyle habits, including a rise in excessive alcohol consumption. This increase in alcohol intake is a major public health concern due to its far-reaching...
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2024-11-01
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| Series: | Metabolites |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/11/626 |
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| author | Valentina Annamaria Genchi Angelo Cignarelli Andrea Sansone Dimitri Yannas Leonardo Dalla Valentina Daniele Renda Livraghi Giorgia Spaggiari Daniele Santi |
| author_facet | Valentina Annamaria Genchi Angelo Cignarelli Andrea Sansone Dimitri Yannas Leonardo Dalla Valentina Daniele Renda Livraghi Giorgia Spaggiari Daniele Santi |
| author_sort | Valentina Annamaria Genchi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Purpose:</i> Over the past 40–50 years, demographic shifts and the obesity epidemic have coincided with significant changes in lifestyle habits, including a rise in excessive alcohol consumption. This increase in alcohol intake is a major public health concern due to its far-reaching effects on human health, particularly on metabolic processes and male reproductive function. This narrative review focuses on the role of alcohol consumption in altering metabolism and impairing testicular function, emphasizing the potential damage associated with both acute and chronic alcohol intake. <i>Conclusion:</i> Chronic alcohol consumption has been shown to disrupt liver function, impair lipid metabolism, and dysregulate blood glucose levels, contributing to the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related systemic diseases. In terms of male reproductive health, alcohol can significantly affect testicular function by lowering testosterone levels, reducing sperm quality, and impairing overall fertility. The extent of these effects varies, depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of alcohol use, with chronic and abusive consumption posing greater risks. The complexity of alcohol’s impact is further compounded by individual variability and the interaction with other lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and physical activity. Despite growing concern, research on alcohol’s effects remains inconclusive, with significant discrepancies across studies regarding the definition and reporting of alcohol consumption. These inconsistencies highlight the need for more rigorous, methodologically sound research to better understand how alcohol consumption influences metabolic and reproductive health. Ultimately, a clearer understanding is essential for developing targeted public health interventions, particularly in light of rising alcohol use, demographic changes, and the ongoing obesity crisis. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5bf3d99f6d8240f0a0f328708bb5695e |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2218-1989 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Metabolites |
| spelling | doaj-art-5bf3d99f6d8240f0a0f328708bb5695e2025-08-20T02:05:04ZengMDPI AGMetabolites2218-19892024-11-01141162610.3390/metabo14110626Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male InfertilityValentina Annamaria Genchi0Angelo Cignarelli1Andrea Sansone2Dimitri Yannas3Leonardo Dalla Valentina4Daniele Renda Livraghi5Giorgia Spaggiari6Daniele Santi7Department of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, ItalyDepartment of Precision and Regenerative Medicine and Ionian Area-Section of Internal Medicine, Endocrinology, Andrology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Bari Aldo Moro, 70121 Bari, ItalyChair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Tower E South, Room E 413, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, ItalyChair of Endocrinology and Medical Sexology (ENDOSEX), Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Tower E South, Room E 413, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, ItalyUnit of Endocrinology, Department of Medical Specialties, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria of Modena, 41125 Modena, ItalyDepartment of Biomedical, Metabolic and Neural Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 41121 Modena, Italy<i>Purpose:</i> Over the past 40–50 years, demographic shifts and the obesity epidemic have coincided with significant changes in lifestyle habits, including a rise in excessive alcohol consumption. This increase in alcohol intake is a major public health concern due to its far-reaching effects on human health, particularly on metabolic processes and male reproductive function. This narrative review focuses on the role of alcohol consumption in altering metabolism and impairing testicular function, emphasizing the potential damage associated with both acute and chronic alcohol intake. <i>Conclusion:</i> Chronic alcohol consumption has been shown to disrupt liver function, impair lipid metabolism, and dysregulate blood glucose levels, contributing to the development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and related systemic diseases. In terms of male reproductive health, alcohol can significantly affect testicular function by lowering testosterone levels, reducing sperm quality, and impairing overall fertility. The extent of these effects varies, depending on the frequency, duration, and intensity of alcohol use, with chronic and abusive consumption posing greater risks. The complexity of alcohol’s impact is further compounded by individual variability and the interaction with other lifestyle factors such as diet, stress, and physical activity. Despite growing concern, research on alcohol’s effects remains inconclusive, with significant discrepancies across studies regarding the definition and reporting of alcohol consumption. These inconsistencies highlight the need for more rigorous, methodologically sound research to better understand how alcohol consumption influences metabolic and reproductive health. Ultimately, a clearer understanding is essential for developing targeted public health interventions, particularly in light of rising alcohol use, demographic changes, and the ongoing obesity crisis.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/11/626alcoholtestosteronehypogonadisminfertility |
| spellingShingle | Valentina Annamaria Genchi Angelo Cignarelli Andrea Sansone Dimitri Yannas Leonardo Dalla Valentina Daniele Renda Livraghi Giorgia Spaggiari Daniele Santi Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility Metabolites alcohol testosterone hypogonadism infertility |
| title | Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility |
| title_full | Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility |
| title_fullStr | Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility |
| title_full_unstemmed | Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility |
| title_short | Understanding the Role of Alcohol in Metabolic Dysfunction and Male Infertility |
| title_sort | understanding the role of alcohol in metabolic dysfunction and male infertility |
| topic | alcohol testosterone hypogonadism infertility |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-1989/14/11/626 |
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