The use of pentoxifylline in male reproduction abnormalities

Abstract

Pentoxifylline a derivative of methylxanthine and nonspecific inhibitor of the phosphodiesterase with vasodilatory properties and rheological properties on blood that made it useful in the treatment of intermittent claudication. Pentoxifylline also has an immunomodulatory effect which inhibits on the production inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor-alpha. The aim of this paper is to review the uses of pentoxifylline in male reproduction abnormalities. The available research evidence suggests that the addition of pentoxifylline to the traditional treatment of erectile dysfunction can be helpful, it also beneficial in the treatment of oligo-asthenozoospermia, possibly through stimulation of sperm motility by increasing the intracellular levels of cAMP.