Just a press release, but gut inflammation is associated with increased early treatment in those with autoimmune spondyloarthritis compared to those without gut inflammation. Inflammation clearly plays a role in all autoimmune disease.
Cause and effect cannot be taken from this study. However, TNF-alpha is known to disrupt testicular function, in this case the study found decreased sperm motility, lower Testosterone levels, and increased LH and FSH at baseline. Improvement was seen after anti-TNF-alpha therapy. The point of this study should be why the elevated TNF-alpha and attack there.