Eleftheria Markou

Dr. Eleftheria Markou


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-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
Open access
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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.

17 January 2025 in Genes
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
EMEleftheria Markou
Eleftheria Markou
MKMaria-Anna Kyrgiafini
Maria-Anna Kyrgiafini
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
Evangelos N. SymeonidisEvangelos N. Symeonidis
Evangelos N. Symeonidis
MCMichael Chrisofos
Michael Chrisofos
Male reproductive health is governed by an intricate interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms—encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA activity—are crucial both for spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. However, oxidative stress, driven by excessive reactive oxygen species, disrupts these processes, leading to impaired sperm function and male infertility. This disruption extends to epigenetic modifications, resulting in abnormal gene expression and chromatin remodeling that compromise genomic integrity and fertilization potential. Importantly, oxidative-stress-induced epigenetic alterations can be inherited, affecting the health and fertility of offspring and future generations. This review investigates how oxidative stress influences epigenetic regulation in male reproduction by modifying DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs, ultimately compromising spermatogenesis. Additionally, it discusses the transgenerational implications of these epigenetic disruptions and their potential role in hereditary infertility and disease predisposition. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for developing therapeutic strategies that mitigate oxidative damage and restore epigenetic homeostasis in the male germline. By integrating insights from molecular, clinical, and transgenerational research, this work emphasizes the need for targeted interventions to enhance male reproductive health and prevent adverse outcomes in progeny. Furthermore, elucidating the dose–response relationships between oxidative stress and epigenetic changes remains a critical research priority, informing personalized diagnostics and therapeutic interventions. In this context, future studies should adopt standardized markers of oxidative damage, robust clinical trials, and multi-omic approaches to capture the complexity of epigenetic regulation in spermatogenesis. Such rigorous investigations will ultimately reduce the risk of transgenerational disorders and optimize reproductive health outcomes.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOUATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
EMEleftheria Markou
Eleftheria Markou
Fotios DimitriadisFotios Dimitriadis
Fotios Dimitriadis
NSNikolaos Sofikitis
Nikolaos Sofikitis
APAnd Spyridon Pournaras
And Spyridon Pournaras
The human microbiota in the genital tract is pivotal for maintaining fertility, but its disruption can lead to male infertility. This study examines the relationship between microbial dysbiosis and male infertility, underscoring the promise of precision medicine in this field. Through a comprehensive review, this research indicates microbial signatures associated with male infertility, such as altered bacterial diversity, the dominance of pathogenic species, and imbalances in the genital microbiome. Key mechanisms linking microbial dysbiosis to infertility include inflammation, oxidative stress, and sperm structural deterioration. Emerging strategies like targeted antimicrobial therapies, probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation have shown potential in adjusting the genital microbiota to enhance male fertility. Notably, the application of precision medicine, which customizes treatments based on individual microbial profiles and specific causes of infertility, emerges as a promising approach to enhance treatment outcomes. Ultimately, microbial dysbiosis is intricately linked to male infertility, and embracing personalized treatment strategies rooted in precision medicine principles could be the way forward in addressing infertility associated with microbial factors.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
IGIlias Giannakodimos
Ilias Giannakodimos
EMEleftheria Markou
Eleftheria Markou
MSMarios Stavropoulos
Marios Stavropoulos
DDDimitrios Deligiannis
Dimitrios Deligiannis
MCMichael Chrisofos
Michael Chrisofos
Male infertility is an under-recognized global health burden. Accumulating evidence position the intestinal microbiota as a pivotal regulator of testicular function, underpinning the emerging gut microbiota–testis axis. This narrative review introduces the conceptual term “androbactome”, referring to gut microorganisms and microbial genes that are hypothesized to influence androgen biosynthesis, spermatogenesis, and broader reproductive endocrinology. The documented worldwide decline in sperm concentration heightens the urgency of clarifying microbe-mediated influences on male reproductive capacity. The synthesis of preclinical and clinical findings reveals four principal pathways by which dysbiosis compromises fertility: systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endocrine disruption, and epigenetic alteration. Lipopolysaccharide-driven cytokinaemia, reactive oxygen species generation, hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis suppression, and aberrant germ cell methylation collectively impair sperm quality and hormonal balance. Short-chain fatty acids, secondary bile acids, and indole derivatives emerge as pivotal messengers within this crosstalk. Therapeutic approaches targeting the androbactome, namely dietary optimization, probiotic or prebiotic supplementation, and fecal microbiota transplantation, have demonstrated encouraging improvements in sperm parameters and testosterone levels, yet the causal inference is constrained by predominantly cross-sectional designs and limited long-term safety data. Recognizing the androbactome as a modifiable determinant of male fertility may open new avenues for personalized diagnosis, risk stratification, and adjunctive therapy in regard to idiopathic infertility. The integration of multi-omics platforms to characterize microbial and metabolomic signatures promises to enrich diagnostic algorithms and guide precision interventions, but rigorously controlled longitudinal and interventional studies are required to secure a translational impact.

15 October 2023 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
Fotios DimitriadisFotios Dimitriadis
Fotios Dimitriadis
DZDimitrios Zachariou
Dimitrios Zachariou
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
Evangelos N. SymeonidisEvangelos N. Symeonidis
Evangelos N. Symeonidis
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOUATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
Infertility is a global health concern, with male factors playing an especially large role. Unfortunately, however, the contributions made by reproductive urologists in managing male infertility under assisted reproductive technology (ART) often go undervalued. This narrative review highlights the important role played by reproductive urologists in diagnosing and treating male infertility as well as any barriers they face when providing services. This manuscript presents a comprehensive review of reproductive urologists’ role in managing male infertility, outlining their expertise in diagnosing and managing male infertility as well as reversible causes and performing surgical techniques such as sperm retrieval. This manuscript investigates the barriers limiting urologist involvement such as limited availability, awareness among healthcare professionals, and financial constraints. This study highlights a decrease in male fertility due to lifestyle factors like sedentary behavior, obesity, and substance abuse. It stresses the significance of conducting an evaluation process involving both male and female partners to identify any underlying factors contributing to infertility and to identify patients who do not require any interventions beyond ART. We conclude that engaging urologists more effectively in infertility management is key to optimizing fertility outcomes among couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatments and requires greater education among healthcare providers regarding the role urologists and lifestyle factors that could have an effect on male fertility.

4 December 2024 in Journal of Clinical Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
Aris KaltsasAris Kaltsas
Aris Kaltsas
AZAthanasios Zikopoulos
Athanasios Zikopoulos
EMEleftheria Markou
Eleftheria Markou
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOUATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
ATHANASIOS ZACHARIOU
MSMarios Stavropoulos
Marios Stavropoulos
MCMichael Chrisofos
Michael Chrisofos
Background/Objectives: Varicoceles are a common contributor to male infertility, significantly impacting male-factor infertility cases. Traditional diagnostic methods often lack the sensitivity to detect the molecular and cellular disruptions caused by varicoceles, limiting the development of effective, personalized treatments. This narrative review aims to explore the advancements in proteomics and metabolomics as innovative, non-invasive diagnostic tools for varicocele-associated male infertility and their potential in guiding personalized therapeutic strategies. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to October 2024. Studies focusing on the application of proteomic and metabolomic analyses in varicocele-associated male infertility were selected. The findings were critically analyzed to synthesize current knowledge and identify future research directions. Results: Proteomic analyses revealed differentially expressed proteins in the sperm and seminal plasma of varicocele patients, revealing disruptions in pathways related to oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and energy metabolism. Key proteins such as heat shock proteins, mitochondrial enzymes, and apoptotic regulators were notably altered. Metabolomic profiling uncovered specific metabolites in seminal plasma—such as decreased levels of lysine, valine, and fructose—that correlate with impaired sperm function and fertility potential. The integration of proteomic and metabolomic data provides a comprehensive molecular fingerprint of varicocele-induced infertility, facilitating the identification of novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and the development of personalized therapeutic interventions. Conclusions: Advances in proteomics and metabolomics have significantly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying varicocele-associated male infertility. These “omics” technologies hold great promise for improving diagnostic accuracy and personalizing treatment, ultimately leading to better outcomes for affected men. Future large-scale clinical trials and validations are essential to confirm these biomarkers and facilitate their integration into routine clinical practice.