Konstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOS

Prof. Konstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOS

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

16Years (2011-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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14 February 2023 in Genes
Verified
Journal Article
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Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
EMEfthalia Moustakli
Efthalia Moustakli
Konstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOSKonstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOS
Konstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOS
Ioannis GeorgiouIoannis Georgiou
Ioannis Georgiou
Fotios DimitriadisFotios Dimitriadis
Fotios Dimitriadis
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOUATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
The average age of fathers at first pregnancy has risen significantly over the last decade owing to various variables, including a longer life expectancy, more access to contraception, later marriage, and other factors. As has been proven in several studies, women over 35 years of age have an increased risk of infertility, pregnancy problems, spontaneous abortion, congenital malformations, and postnatal issues. There are varying opinions on whether a father’s age affects the quality of his sperm or his ability to father a child. First, there is no single accepted definition of old age in a father. Second, much research has reported contradictory findings in the literature, particularly concerning the most frequently examined criteria. Increasing evidence suggests that the father’s age contributes to his offspring’s higher vulnerability to inheritable diseases. Our comprehensive literature evaluation shows a direct correlation between paternal age and decreased sperm quality and testicular function. Genetic abnormalities, such as DNA mutations and chromosomal aneuploidies, and epigenetic modifications, such as the silencing of essential genes, have all been linked to the father’s advancing years. Paternal age has been shown to affect reproductive and fertility outcomes, such as the success rate of in vitro fertilisation (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and premature birth rate. Several diseases, including autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders, and paediatric leukaemia, have been linked to the father’s advanced years. Therefore, informing infertile couples of the alarming correlations between older fathers and a rise in their offspring’s diseases is crucial, so that they can be effectively guided through their reproductive years.

11 June 2025 in Metabolites
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EMEfthalia Moustakli
Efthalia Moustakli
SSSofoklis Stavros
Sofoklis Stavros
PKPeriklis Katopodis
Periklis Katopodis
Anastasios PotirisAnastasios Potiris
Anastasios Potiris
PDPeter Drakakis
Peter Drakakis
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
The human gut microbiome is integral to maintaining systemic physiological balance, with accumulating evidence emphasizing its critical role in reproductive health. This review investigates the bidirectional interactions between the gut microbiota and the female reproductive system, mediated by neuroendocrine, immune, and metabolic pathways, constituting the gut–reproductive axis. Dysbiosis, characterized by microbial imbalance, has been linked to reproductive disorders such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, infertility, impaired spermatogenesis, and pregnancy complications. These associations can be explained by immunological dysregulation, systemic inflammation, altered sex hormone metabolism, and hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis disturbances. This review aims to clarify the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning gut–reproductive interactions and to evaluate the feasibility of microbiome-targeted therapies as clinical interventions for improving reproductive outcomes.

Verified
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ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOUATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
Konstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOSKonstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOS
Konstantinos ATHANASIOS ZIKOPOULOS
VSVaia Sapouna
Vaia Sapouna
CSCharikleia Skentou
Charikleia Skentou
Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
NSNikolaos Sofikitis
Nikolaos Sofikitis
This study investigates the impact of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) on sexual function and distress in women with multiple sclerosis (MS), a prevalent chronic nervous system disorder associated with sexual dysfunction. This study’s primary aim was to assess the effectiveness of PFMT at improving sexual function and alleviating sexual distress in this population. In a randomised controlled trial, 82 women with MS were divided into two groups: Group A (41 women) underwent 12 weeks of PFMT, while Group B (41 women) served as a control group with no intervention. Both groups were assessed at the beginning and end of this study using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and Female Sexual Distress Scale-Revised (FSDS-R). Statistical analysis, including Chi-square tests, was employed to compare the outcomes between the two groups, with a p-value of less than 0.05 considered significant. The results revealed no significant differences in baseline sexual function and distress between the groups. However, at the conclusion of the 12-week period, Group A exhibited statistically significant improvements in nearly all domains of FSFI and FSDS-R compared to Group B, except in the pain domain. This study concludes that PFMT can effectively enhance sexual function and reduce sexual distress in women suffering from MS. These findings underscore the potential of PFMT as a therapeutic intervention in managing sexual dysfunction associated with MS.

4 March 2013 in Reproductive BioMedicine Online
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LLLeandros Lazaros
Leandros Lazaros
GVGeorge Vartholomatos
George Vartholomatos
CPChristina Pamporaki
Christina Pamporaki
IKIoannis Kosmas
Ioannis Kosmas
ATAtsushi Takenaka
Atsushi Takenaka
Ioannis GeorgiouIoannis Georgiou
Ioannis Georgiou

1 January 2011 in Fertility and Sterility
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Journal Article
Closed access
LLLeandros Lazaros
Leandros Lazaros
AKApostolos Kaponis
Apostolos Kaponis
GVGeorge Vartholomatos
George Vartholomatos
EHElissavet Hatzi
Elissavet Hatzi
SBStefania Botsari
Stefania Botsari
Ioannis GeorgiouIoannis Georgiou
Ioannis Georgiou

12 February 2025 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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EKEleni Kalli
Eleni Kalli
Anastasios PotirisAnastasios Potiris
Anastasios Potiris
EDEkaterini Domali
Ekaterini Domali
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
Nikolaos KathopoulisNikolaos Kathopoulis
Nikolaos Kathopoulis
SSSofoklis Stavros
Sofoklis Stavros
Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the potential effects of a pregnant woman’s excessive gestational weight gain on adverse perinatal outcomes affecting the mother and the fetus/neonate. Methods: Medline/PubMed, Scopus, CADTH Grey Matters and National Archive of PhD Theses were systematically searched for all relevant studies published. Assessments of the risk of bias in the included studies were made according to the tool “The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS)”. Results: Five publications met all the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. The risk of bias in all the included studies was low. One study supports the detrimental effect of excessive gestational weight gain on the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus, one study on the risk of preterm birth, five studies on the risk of macrosomia-high birthweight of the neonate, three studies on the risk of a large-for-gestational-age neonate, three studies on the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, one study on the risk of gestational hypertension and preeclampsia, five studies on the risk of delivery by cesarean section and one study on the risk of neonatal hypoglycemia requiring treatment. One study supports the beneficial effect of excessive gestational weight gain on the risk of preterm birth, two studies on the risk of a small-for-gestational-age neonate and two studies on the risk of low birthweight of the neonate. Conclusions: The study presents the most recent and strong evidence regarding the negative effect of excessive gestational weight gain on most adverse perinatal outcomes. However, excessive gestational weight gain has a beneficial effect in a very limited number of outcomes.