National Kidney Disease Education Program has initiated a serum creatinine standardization program. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) can be re-estimated from standardized serum creatinine measurements. How the standardized estimated GFR (eGFR) influences hypertension prevalence has not been evaluated. In this study, cross-sectional data from 21 205 participants aged 18 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2006 were analyzed. The differences between standardized and non-standardized eGFRs in the prevalence of hypertension and low eGFR were evaluated. Multiple logistic regression models were conducted to determine the association of standardized eGFR with hypertension prevalence. The prevalence of low eGFR estimated from standardized eGFR was higher than that from non-standardized eGFR (all P0.01), except for the 2005-2006 survey. The prevalence of hypertension under standardized eGFR was not significantly different from that under non-standardized eGFR in both groups of participants with eGFR60 and eGFR60 ml min 1 per 1.73 m 2. Adjusted for age, education, gender, race/ethnicity, smoking, serum cholesterol and diabetes mellitus, the participants with standardized eGFR60 ml min 1 per 1.73 m 2 had 56.1% more chance to be hypertensive patients than those with normal eGFR (P0.0001). The difference in the relationship to hypertension prevalence between standardized and non-standardized eGFR was not found significant.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第20987号 / 医博第4333号 / 新制||医||1027(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 伊達 洋至, 教授 長船 健二, 教授 一山 智 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

No description available.

No description available.

Yes / Background: Kidney function reduces with age, increasing the risk of harm from increased blood levels of many medicines. Although estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is reported for prescribing decisions in those aged ≥65 years, creatinine clearance (Cockcroft–Gault) gives a more accurate estimate of kidney function. Aim: To explore the extent of prescribing outside recommendations for people aged ≥65 years with reduced kidney function in primary care and to assess the impact of using eGFR instead of creatinine clearance to calculate kidney function. Design and setting: A cross-sectional survey of anonymised prescribing data in people aged ≥65 years from all 80 general practices (70 900 patients) in a north of England former primary care trust. Method: The prevalence of prescribing outside recommendations was analysed for eight exemplar drugs. Data were collected for age, sex, actual weight, serum creatinine, and eGFR. Kidney function as creatinine clearance (Cockcroft–Gault) was calculated using actual body weight and estimated ideal body weight. Results: Kidney function was too low for recommended prescribing in 4–40% of people aged ≥65 years, and in 24–80% of people aged ≥85 years despite more than 90% of patients having recent recorded kidney function results. Using eGFR overestimated kidney function for 3–28% of those aged ≥65 years, and for 13–58% of those aged ≥85 years. Increased age predicted higher odds of having a kidney function estimate too low for recommended prescribing of the study drugs. Conclusion: Prescribing recommendations when kidney function is reduced are not applied for many people aged ≥65 years in primary care. Using eGFR considerably overestimates kidney function for prescribing and, therefore, creatinine clearance (Cockcroft–Gault) should be assessed when prescribing for these people. Interventions are needed to aid prescribers when kidney function is reduced.

O Hospital de Referência de Porto Nacional no estado do Tocantins é responsável pelo atendimento da população desta cidade e de mais treze municípios circunvizinhos que compreendem a Regional de Saúde Amor Perfeito pela SESAU TO. Totalizando aproximadamente 180.000 habitantes, grande parte dessa população reside na zonal rural e mesmo os habitantes das zonas urbanas frequentam ambientes selvagens como beira de rios e matas, o que os expõe ao contato com animais peçonhentos. Os acidentes ofídicos ocorridos nesta região são atendidos, quase que exclusivamente, nesta unidade hospitalar e a disfunção renal é uma das mais temíveis complicações nesses casos. Esse estudo epidemiológico visa realizar diagnóstico de disfunção renal em pacientes vítimas de acidente ofídico, e acompanhamento evolutivo do quadro clínico pela mensuração do clearance de creatinina com o método indireto utilizando a Fórmula de Cockroft e Gault. Foi realizado o acompanhamento clínico de todos os pacientes atendidos no Hospital de Referência de Porto Nacional vítimas de acidente ofídico de qualquer gênero no período de janeiro de 2013 a dezembro de 2014. A mensuração do clearance de creatinina foi realizada no momento do primeiro atendimento e posteriormente em acompanhamento diário da Taxa de Filtração Glomerular usando a Fórmula de Cockroft e Gault (140-Peso-kg) x Idade em anos / 72 x creatinina plasmática. Durante o período estudado foram atendidos neste hospital 78 casos de acidente ofídico, dos quais 88,4% classificados como acidente Botrópico e 6,4% como Crotálico. O clearance de creatinina ficou abaixo de 60 ml/min/m², o que comprova disfunção renal, em 12 pacientes, demonstrando uma incidência geral de 15,4%. A incidência de acidente Botrópico foi de 15,9 % enquanto que a do tipo Crotálico foi de 20%. Todos os pacientes restabeleceram a função renal normal após término do tratamento. A maioria dos casos ocorreu nos meses de janeiro, fevereiro, novembro e dezembro, onde ocorrem as maiores incidências de chuvas. Fatores como idade do paciente e o tempo entre o acidente e o início da terapia específica, com soro adequado, contribuíram para o surgimento da Insuficiência Renal Aguda pós-acidente ofídico. O conhecimento do perfil epidemiológico de cada região aliado ao estudo das taxas de incidência, prevalência e complicações desta entidade clínica, bem como o início precoce da terapêutica adequada interferem no surgimento de lesões renais com pior prognóstico. / The Referral Hospital in Porto Nacional, Tocantins state, is responsible for serving the population of this city and thirteen surrounding municipalities that comprise the Regional Health Office called \"Perfect Love\" administrated by SESAU-TO healthy authority. With approximately 180,000 inhabitants in total, much of this population lives in the rural zone, and even the urban dwellers attend wild environments such as river banks and forests, which is putting them in contact with venomous animals. The ophidic accidents occurred in this region are treated almost exclusively in this hospital unite and renal dysfunction is one of the most feared complications in these cases. This epidemiological study aims at performing diagnosis of renal dysfunction in patients suffering from ophidic accident, and the monitoring evolution of the clinical picture by measuring creatinine clearance with an indirect method by using the Cockroft and Gault formula. Clinical follow-ups were performed in all patients treated at the Referral Hospital in Porto Nacional city, Tocantins state, which were victims of any kind of ophidic accident from January 2013 to December 2014. The measurement of creatinine clearance was done at the first doctor visit and later in a daily basis for monitoring glomerular filtration rate using the formula of Cockroft and Gault (140-kg-weight) x Age in years / 72 x plasmatic creatinine. During the study period, 78 cases of ophidic accidents were treated. 88.4% were classified as Bothropic accident and 6.4% Crotalic one. The creatinine clearance level was below 60 ml / min / m², which proves renal dysfunction in 12 patients, leading to an overall incidence of 15.4%. When separated by type of accident, the incidence for Bothropic accident was 15.9% while the Crotalic type was 20%. All patients restored normal renal function after the end of treatment. Most cases occurred in January, February, November and December, when the highest incidence of rainfall occurs. Factors such as patient age, time between the accident and early specific therapy with appropriate serum contributed to the emergence of acute renal failure in the post-ophidic accident period. The knowledge of the epidemiological profile of each region together with the study of incidence rates, prevalence and complications of this clinical entity, as well as the early initiation of appropriate therapy interferes with the appearance of renal lesions with poor prognosis.

INTRODUÇÃO: A cistatina C sérica apresenta boa correlação com o ritmo de filtração glomerular (RFG) e não é influenciada pela função renal materna, podendo ser um bom marcador da função renal, especialmente na 1ª semana de vida. Porém, não há valores normais definidos para o período neonatal. OBJETIVO: Determinar a evolução dos níveis séricos da cistatina C (Cis) em recém-nascidos (RN) de termo saudáveis ao longo do 1º mês de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo. Inclusão: idade gestacional (IG) entre 37 e 41 6/7 semanas; peso de nascimento adequado para a IG; Apgar 1º min > 7; mães sem insuficiência renal, hipertensão arterial ou uso de drogas que interferissem com a função renal do feto. Exclusão: má-formação major ou renal; ausência de diurese nas primeiras 12 horas de vida ou diurese no 2° ou 3° dia < 1mL/kg/h; perda de peso > 10% até o 3º dia; pressão arterial elevada; insuficiência cardíaca ou renal, fototerapia, infecção, alteração da função tireoidiana ou uso de drogas vasoativas ou diuréticos. Dosagens laboratoriais: Cis (mg/L) por imunonefelometria e creatinina sérica (Cr) (mg/dL) pelo método de Jaffé, da mãe e do RN, no cordão umbilical (d0) e com 3 (d3), 7 (d7) e 28 (d28) dias. O clearance de creatinina foi estimado pela fórmula de Schwartz (mL/min/1,73m2). Comparação de médias pelo teste ANOVA one way para medidas repetidas e teste de Tukey. Análise de correlação pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Nível de significância=0,05. RESULTADOS: Preencheram os critérios de inclusão 35 RN e, destes, 14 foram excluídos. Foram analisados 21 RN. Mães: idade (média): 29,1 anos. Os RN apresentaram IG (mediana) de 39,4 sem e peso (média) de 3224 g; 57,1% eram do sexo masculino. A diurese (média) no 2° e no 3° dias foi 2,1 e 2,4 mL/kg/h, respectivamente, e a perda de peso máxima (média) foi 7,1% e ocorreu com 2 dias (mediana). Dos 21 RN, 17 (81%) receberam aleitamento materno exclusivo e 13 (61,9%) tiveram icterícia. Cis (média±dp): mãe: 1,00±0,20; RN: d0=1,70±0,26; d3=1,51±0,19; d7=1,54±0,15; d28=1,51±0,15. Cr (média±dp): mãe: 0,63±0,15; RN: d0=0,63±0,15; d3=0,48±0,16; d7=0,37±0,10; d28=0,26±0,05. Os valores de Cr não foram diferentes dos encontrados na literatura para RN de termo saudáveis. A Cr da mãe não foi diferente de d0, enquanto a Cis materna foi menor do que em d0 (p<0,001). A Cr no RN diminuiu com o tempo (d0xd3, p=0,007; d3xd7, p=0,002; d7xd28, p<0,001). A Cis diminuiu de d0 para d3 (p=0,004) e manteve-se estável após d3. A Cis e a Cr da mãe apresentaram correlação positiva. Houve correlação positiva entre Cis e Cr em d3 e d28. CONCLUSÕES: A Cis do RN, que ao nascimento foi maior do que a da mãe, reduziu-se até d3 e permaneceu estável até d28. A Cis e a Cr da mãe correlacionaram-se entre si. Em d3 e d28 houve correlação entre Cis e Cr do RN. / INTRODUCTION: Cystatin C (Cys) is a good marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and is not affected by maternal renal function. OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of Cys in healthy term newborns (NB), along the 1st month of life. METHODS: Cohort study. Inclusion: term NB with appropriate weight; 1st min Apgar > 7; mother without renal failure or drugs that could affect fetal GFR. Exclusion: malformations; hypertension; no diuresis in the first 12 hours of life or oliguria in the first three days; excessive weight loss until the third day; heart or kidney failure; thyroid dysfunction; use of diuretics, vasoactive drugs or any drug that could affect renal function. Cys (mg/L) and creatinine (Cr) (mg/dL) were determined in the mother (Mo) and in the NB at birth (d0), 3rd (d3), 7th (d7) and 28th (d28) days. Creatinine clearance was estimated in the NB using the Schwartz formula. Statistics: one way ANOVA and Pearsons correlation tests. Significance level=0.05. RESULTS: Data from 21 NB were obtained. Mothers: age (mean): 29.1 years. NB: gestational age (median): 39.4 weeks; birth weight (mean): 3224 g; 57.1% were male. Diuresis (mean) in the 2nd and 3rd days of life: 2.1±0.6 and 2.4±0.7 mL/kg/h, respectively. Maximum weight loss (mean): 7.1%; it occurred in the 2nd day (median). 81% of the NB were breastfed and 61.9% had jaundice. Cys (mean±sd): Mo: 1.00±0.20; NB: d0=1.70±0.26; d3=1.51±0.19; d7=1.54±0.15; d28=1.51±0.15. Cr (mean±sd): Mo: 0.63±0.15; NB: d0=0.63±0.15; d3=0.48±0.16; d7=0.37±0.10; d28=0.26±0.05. These Cr values are similar to those found in the literature for healthy term NB. Mo Cr was not different from d0 Cr, while Mo Cys was lower than d0 Cys (p<0.001). NB Cr decreased (d0xd3, p=0.007; d3xd7, p=0.002; d7xd28, p<0.001) along the time, while Cys decreased from d0 to d3 (p=0.004). Correlations were obtained between Mo Cr and Mo Cys, as well as d3 Cr and d3 Cys, d28 Cr and d28 Cys. CONCLUSIONS: At birth, NB Cys values were higher than Mo Cys values. NB Cys decreased from d0 to d3 and remained stable from d3 to d28. Mo Cys correlated with Mo Cr and NB Cys correlated with NB Cr at d3 and d28.

INTRODUÇÃO: A cistatina C sérica apresenta boa correlação com o ritmo de filtração glomerular (RFG) e não é influenciada pela função renal materna, podendo ser um bom marcador da função renal, especialmente na 1ª semana de vida. Porém, não há valores normais definidos para o período neonatal. OBJETIVO: Determinar a evolução dos níveis séricos da cistatina C (Cis) em recém-nascidos (RN) de termo saudáveis ao longo do 1º mês de vida. MÉTODOS: Estudo prospectivo. Inclusão: idade gestacional (IG) entre 37 e 41 6/7 semanas; peso de nascimento adequado para a IG; Apgar 1º min > 7; mães sem insuficiência renal, hipertensão arterial ou uso de drogas que interferissem com a função renal do feto. Exclusão: má-formação major ou renal; ausência de diurese nas primeiras 12 horas de vida ou diurese no 2° ou 3° dia < 1mL/kg/h; perda de peso > 10% até o 3º dia; pressão arterial elevada; insuficiência cardíaca ou renal, fototerapia, infecção, alteração da função tireoidiana ou uso de drogas vasoativas ou diuréticos. Dosagens laboratoriais: Cis (mg/L) por imunonefelometria e creatinina sérica (Cr) (mg/dL) pelo método de Jaffé, da mãe e do RN, no cordão umbilical (d0) e com 3 (d3), 7 (d7) e 28 (d28) dias. O clearance de creatinina foi estimado pela fórmula de Schwartz (mL/min/1,73m2). Comparação de médias pelo teste ANOVA one way para medidas repetidas e teste de Tukey. Análise de correlação pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Nível de significância=0,05. RESULTADOS: Preencheram os critérios de inclusão 35 RN e, destes, 14 foram excluídos. Foram analisados 21 RN. Mães: idade (média): 29,1 anos. Os RN apresentaram IG (mediana) de 39,4 sem e peso (média) de 3224 g; 57,1% eram do sexo masculino. A diurese (média) no 2° e no 3° dias foi 2,1 e 2,4 mL/kg/h, respectivamente, e a perda de peso máxima (média) foi 7,1% e ocorreu com 2 dias (mediana). Dos 21 RN, 17 (81%) receberam aleitamento materno exclusivo e 13 (61,9%) tiveram icterícia. Cis (média±dp): mãe: 1,00±0,20; RN: d0=1,70±0,26; d3=1,51±0,19; d7=1,54±0,15; d28=1,51±0,15. Cr (média±dp): mãe: 0,63±0,15; RN: d0=0,63±0,15; d3=0,48±0,16; d7=0,37±0,10; d28=0,26±0,05. Os valores de Cr não foram diferentes dos encontrados na literatura para RN de termo saudáveis. A Cr da mãe não foi diferente de d0, enquanto a Cis materna foi menor do que em d0 (p<0,001). A Cr no RN diminuiu com o tempo (d0xd3, p=0,007; d3xd7, p=0,002; d7xd28, p<0,001). A Cis diminuiu de d0 para d3 (p=0,004) e manteve-se estável após d3. A Cis e a Cr da mãe apresentaram correlação positiva. Houve correlação positiva entre Cis e Cr em d3 e d28. CONCLUSÕES: A Cis do RN, que ao nascimento foi maior do que a da mãe, reduziu-se até d3 e permaneceu estável até d28. A Cis e a Cr da mãe correlacionaram-se entre si. Em d3 e d28 houve correlação entre Cis e Cr do RN. / INTRODUCTION: Cystatin C (Cys) is a good marker of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), and is not affected by maternal renal function. OBJECTIVE: To determine the levels of Cys in healthy term newborns (NB), along the 1st month of life. METHODS: Cohort study. Inclusion: term NB with appropriate weight; 1st min Apgar > 7; mother without renal failure or drugs that could affect fetal GFR. Exclusion: malformations; hypertension; no diuresis in the first 12 hours of life or oliguria in the first three days; excessive weight loss until the third day; heart or kidney failure; thyroid dysfunction; use of diuretics, vasoactive drugs or any drug that could affect renal function. Cys (mg/L) and creatinine (Cr) (mg/dL) were determined in the mother (Mo) and in the NB at birth (d0), 3rd (d3), 7th (d7) and 28th (d28) days. Creatinine clearance was estimated in the NB using the Schwartz formula. Statistics: one way ANOVA and Pearsons correlation tests. Significance level=0.05. RESULTS: Data from 21 NB were obtained. Mothers: age (mean): 29.1 years. NB: gestational age (median): 39.4 weeks; birth weight (mean): 3224 g; 57.1% were male. Diuresis (mean) in the 2nd and 3rd days of life: 2.1±0.6 and 2.4±0.7 mL/kg/h, respectively. Maximum weight loss (mean): 7.1%; it occurred in the 2nd day (median). 81% of the NB were breastfed and 61.9% had jaundice. Cys (mean±sd): Mo: 1.00±0.20; NB: d0=1.70±0.26; d3=1.51±0.19; d7=1.54±0.15; d28=1.51±0.15. Cr (mean±sd): Mo: 0.63±0.15; NB: d0=0.63±0.15; d3=0.48±0.16; d7=0.37±0.10; d28=0.26±0.05. These Cr values are similar to those found in the literature for healthy term NB. Mo Cr was not different from d0 Cr, while Mo Cys was lower than d0 Cys (p<0.001). NB Cr decreased (d0xd3, p=0.007; d3xd7, p=0.002; d7xd28, p<0.001) along the time, while Cys decreased from d0 to d3 (p=0.004). Correlations were obtained between Mo Cr and Mo Cys, as well as d3 Cr and d3 Cys, d28 Cr and d28 Cys. CONCLUSIONS: At birth, NB Cys values were higher than Mo Cys values. NB Cys decreased from d0 to d3 and remained stable from d3 to d28. Mo Cys correlated with Mo Cr and NB Cys correlated with NB Cr at d3 and d28.

The thesis aimed to investigate cystatin C and creatinine-based estimates of glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), both at admission and during follow-up, on the combined endpoint of cardiovascular death and myocardial infarction in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). We also evaluated two cystatin C assays and assessed genetic determinants of cystatin C concentrations. We used the PLATelet inhibition and Patient Outcomes study, where all types of ACS patients (n=18624) were randomized to ticagrelor or clopidogrel treatment. Multivariable Cox regression models, including clinical variables and biomarkers (troponin and NT-proBNP), and c-statistics were calculated. Cystatin C and the creatinine-based CKD-EPI equation exhibited similar significant prognostic impact on the combined endpoint, with Area Under Curves (AUC) 0.6923 and 0.6941, respectively. Follow-up samples of renal biomarkers did not improve risk prediction. Patients randomized to ticagrelor treatment were associated with a non-sustained larger increase in renal markers at discharge, but neither the change nor the difference between the randomized groups affected cardiovascular risk. Two different cystatin C assays exhibited good correlation 0.86 (95% confidence interval 0.85-0.86), however moderate level of agreement. Risk prediction with a combination of creatinine and cystatin C did not outperform the creatinine-based CKD-EPI equation, AUC: 0.6913 and 0.6924, respectively (n=13050). The genetic polymorphism rs6048952 independently affected the cystatin C concentration with mean levels of 0.85mg/L, 0.80mg/L and 0.73mg/L for the A/A, A/G, and G/G genotypes, respectively. The genetic polymorphism did not affect outcome overall, however in the non-ST-elevation ACS subgroup a signal that genetic polymorphism may be associated with cardiovascular death was observed (p=0.002). In conclusion: cystatin C or eGFR, irrespective of equation or assay, are important cardiovascular risk factors in ACS patients. Nonetheless, the incremental value of adding any renal variable, to a multivariable risk model, is small. Further research on the impact of cystatin C genetic polymorphism is warranted. / <p>PhD, i medicin.</p>

<p>Camellia sinensis (tea) and Aspalathus linearis (rooibos) may improve reproductive function owing to their antioxidant properties. To test this<br /> hypothesis, male and female rats were given 2% and 5% green tea (Gt), black tea (Bt), unfermented rooibos (Ur) or fermented rooibos (Fr) as sole source of drinking for 52 and 21 days respectively. Control rats received tap water. In addition, TM3 Leydig cells were exposed to 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.5 % aqueous extracts of green tea, black tea, unfermented and fermented rooibos for 24h. In vitro analysis of tea and the herbal infusion revealed the phenolic property and antioxidant capacity (FRAP) in the order Gt &gt / Bt &gt / Ur &gt / Fr. Camellia sinensis and Aspalathus linearis revealed no significant effect on serum antioxidant capacity (p &gt / 0.05) and lipid peroxidation (MDA) in the kidney or liver in both male and female rats and in the testes of the male rats (p &gt / 0.05). In addition, the antioxidant levels were maintained in the testes, liver and kidneys in both the male and female rats. In the male rats, no significant alterations were observed in body weight gain, liver and reproductive organs weight, and serum testosterone (p &gt / 0.05). Only, 5% green tea significantly increased testosterone level (p &lt / 0.05). Seminiferous tubules displayed complete spermatogenesis with abundant sperm in the lumen in all treated groups. However, a significant decrease in diameter and germinal epithelial height of these tubules were observed (p &lt / 0.05). In the epididymides, epithelial height of caput region showed a significant increase (p &lt / 0.01), while the cauda region was increased by Camellia sinensis but decreased by Aspalathus linearis. Sperm concentration improved significantly by green tea and unfermented rooibos (p &lt / 0.05), while black tea and fermented rooibos produced a non significant effect (p &gt / 0.05). Sperm viability was enhanced in all treatment groups (p &lt / 0.05). Furthermore, green tea, black tea and unfermented rooibos significantly improved the motility of rat sperm (p &lt / 0.05) / fermented rooibos tended to improve it (p &gt / 0.05). In addition, green tea, black tea and fermented rooibos enhanced acrosome reaction (p &lt / 0.05). Creatinine activity was significantly higher in rats treated with black tea, unfermented rooibos or fermented rooibos (p &lt / 0.05), green tea tended to increase it (p &gt / 0.05) reflecting the significant increased kidney weight in the treatment groups at high concentrations. Liver markers, ALT and AST, decreased significantly in all treated groups (p &lt / 0.05), except in 5% fermented rooibos where a significant increase in AST level was observed (p &lt / 0.01). In the female rats, the body weight gain, and reproductive organs weight was no affected (p &gt / 0.05). However, 5% fermented rooibos reduced the ovarian weight (p &lt / 0.05), while 5% unfermented rooibos significantly increased the uterine weight (p &lt / 0.05). Liver weight increased significantly by black tea and unfermented rooibos (p &lt / 0.05) while the kidney weight increased significantly by 5% black tea (p &lt / 0.05). No significant effect was observed in the level of FSH produced, on the other hand, Camellia sinensis significantly lowered the level of LH (p &lt / 0.05), while Aspalathus linearis had no effect (p &gt / 0.05). Creatinine activity was enhanced significantly only by 5% fermented rooibos (p &lt / 0.05). Liver markers, ALT and AST were reduced in most treated groups except in fermented rooibos where an increase was observed. In addition, histological sections revealed no obvious alteration in the ovaries, uteri, kidneys and liver of all treated female rats. Camellia sinensis and Aspalathus linearis significantly reduced the level of testosterone produced in TM3 Leydig cells under stimulated conditions in vitro (p&lt / 0.05). Furthermore, both plants maintained the viability and morphology of the cells. However, at 0.5% of either plant extracts, a significant decrease in the viability (p &lt / 0.05) and altered morphology of the TM3 Leydig cells was observed. In conclusion, Camellia sinensis and Aspalathus linearis significantly improved certain sperm function which might be attributed to their high level of antioxidant activity. However, the prolonged exposure of both plant extracts might result in subtle structural changes in the male reproductive system and impair kidney function. In addition, fermented rooibos at high concentration may also impair the functions of the liver. In vitro, both plants were shown to possess anti-androgenic property on TM3 Leydig cells. Furthermore, both Camellia sinensis and Aspalathus linearis may be classified as weak phytoestrogens due to the changes in the weight of the uterus and ovaries observed.</p>