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The aim of this study was determine whether intracavernosal injection (ICI) of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) protein can improve corpus cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation in aging rats.Ten young (4-month-old) and 30 old (24-month-old) Sprague-Dawley male rats were enrolled in the study. The old rats were divided into three groups: vehicle-only (n = 10), IGF-1 1 µg/kg (n = 10) and IGF-1 10 µg/kg treatment groups (n = 10). After 4 weeks of single IGF-1 injection treatment, strips of corporal tissue were precontracted with phenylephrine, and dose-response curves were generated to evaluate endothelial-dependent [acetylcholine (ACh)], endothelial-independent [sodium nitroprusside (SNP)] and electrical field stimulation (EFS) vasoreactivity. The changes in percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle and the concentration of nitric oxide (NO) in penile tissue were also evaluated.After IGF-1 treatment, the vasoreactivity was significantly improved in both the 1 µg/kg and the 10 µg/kg treatment groups compared with the vehicle-only group at 4 weeks in response to ACh, SNP and EFS (all p0.05). The percentage of cavernosal smooth muscle was increased in the IGF-1 treatment groups. The NO concentrations were increased after IGF-1 treatment.These data demonstrate that ICI of IGF-1 can improve vasoreactivity via endothelium-dependent and endothelial-independent mechanisms in the corpus cavernosum of the aging rat.

We investigated whether injecting shRNA constructs targeting IGFBP-3 in the penis of old rats would improve erectile function.The most validated IGFBP-3 shRNA plasmid vector (pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shIGFBP-3) was prepared and injected in penile corpus cavernosum tissue. A total of 30 old (age 24 months) male Sprague Dawley® rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, including 10 each that received phosphate buffered saline only (100 μl), pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shNC (100 μg) and the most validated plasmid constructs pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shIGFBP-3 (100 μg). At 4 weeks the erectile response was measured as intracavernous pressure. The percent of smooth muscle in corpus cavernosum tissue was evaluated. Nitric oxide synthase activity and the cGMP concentration in penile tissue were also analyzed. IGFBP-3 was estimated in penile tissue by Western blot, real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shIGFBP-3 corrected the impaired erectile response in aged rats compared with the response in those injected with phosphate buffered saline and pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shNC (each p0.01). The percent of cavernous smooth muscle was increased in the pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shIGFBP-3 group. Nitric oxide synthase activity and the cGMP concentration were also significantly increased in rats treated with pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shIGFBP-3. IGFBP-3 shRNA effectively reduced IGFBP-3 mRNA and protein expression in penile corpus cavernosum tissue.Decreasing IGFBP-3 expression by plasmid expressed shRNA improved erectile function in aged rats. The therapy may modulate smooth muscle integrity and increase the cGMP concentration. This may be a new direction for treating erectile dysfunction in clinical practice.

To investigate the risk factors of the serious complications related with double-J ureteral stent placement following percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).Clinical data were reviewed for 272 patients treated with PCNL and indwelling double-J stents between January, 2014 and April, 2016. The risk factors of serious complications were identified using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis.Serious complications of double-J ureteral stenting occurred in 63 patients (23.1%). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the ureter abnormalities (β=1.735, P=0.000, OR=5.670), stent indwelling duration (β=1.206, P=0.028, OR=3.340), gender (β=0.895, P=0.016, OR=2.446), preoperative urinary tract infection (β=0.849, P=0.020 , OR=2.338) and stent size (β=0.847, P=0.011, OR=2.333) were all risk factors of serious complications related with the procedure.Male patients are exposed to a higher risk of serious complications following PCNL. Effective management of urinary tract infection and choice of appropriate stent size in cases of ureteral abnormalities help to reduce these complications. The double-J stent should be withdrawn as soon as possible in patients with good postoperative recovery.

Aim: As capsular perforation is still regarded as one of complications of transurethral prostatectomy, the aim of this study was to compare the properties in penetrating capsular tissue of transurethral plasmakinetic resection (PKRP) and transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Methods: Isolated normal saline-perfused porcine kidneys were used to determine the penetrating capsule properties of PKRP and TURP. We quantified and compared the time of cutting through renal surface during different procedures. Results: The time of perforating renal capsula induced by PKRP was longer than that by TURP (p < 0.05). As soon as the operator activated footswitch, the renal capsula was cut through by the monopolar loop. The duration was always less than 1 s in the TURP group, although sometimes the plasma-loop could not penetrate the velamen (15/40). The time of penetrating the renal surface with capsula induced by PKRP was longer than that without capsula (p < 0.05). The duration of penetrating the surface without capsula was always less than 1 s. Conclusions: With the present ex vivo model, we provided evidence that it is more difficult to penetrate capsular tissue with PKRP compared to TURP.

To investigate the hemostatic capability of mono- and bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) by comparing the microvessel diameter of hyperplastic prostate with the coagulation depth achieved with mono- and bipolar TURP.The microvessel diameters of 22 hyperplastic prostate tissues obtained from open surgery were measured using a microscope. Thirty prostatic chips harvested from monopolar TURP and 30 from bipolar TURP were sectioned, stained with hematoxylin-eosin and the coagulation depth measured using a microscope.The minimum, maximum and mean diameters of hyperplastic prostates were 6.33, 139.04 and 21.19+/-12.80 microm, respectively. The coagulation depths with mono- and bipolar TURP were 122.54+/-22.22 and 141.35+/-24.27 microm, respectively (p0.01). The coagulation depths with mono- and bipolar TURP were significantly greater than the mean diameter of microvessels. However, the mean coagulation depth with monopolar TURP was smaller than the maximum diameter of microvessels, whereas the coagulation depth with bipolar TURP was bigger than that.The coagulation depths with mono- and bipolar TURP were bigger than the mean diameter of prostatic microvessels. However, the mean coagulation depth with bipolar TURP was bigger than the maximum microvessel diameter, which indicates that the hemostatic capability of bipolar TURP may be better than that of monopolar TURP.

To evaluate the value of combined use of survivin, cytokeratin (CK) 20 and mucin (MUC) 7 mRNA in comparison with voided urine cytology in the detection of bladder cancer patients. One hundred and fifty three patients and 20 healthy volunteers were evaluated by RT-PCR for detecting survivin, CK-20 and MUC7 mRNA in voided urine before cystoscopy. The three markers and cytology were evaluated independently or in combinations. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 90.4 and 94.7% for survivin, 82.6 and 97.4% for CK-20, 62.6 and 94.7% for MUC7 and 46.0 and 100% for voided urine cytology. Combined sensitivity of voided urine cytology with the three biomarkers together was higher than either combined sensitivity of voided urine cytology with one of the biomarkers or than that of the biomarker alone. Combined use of the three markers can improve the sensitivity for detecting bladder cancer.

To evaluate the impacts of three different surgical approaches to urethral stricture on the erectile function of the patients.This study included 126 male patients with urethral stricture, 35 treated by substitution urethroplasty (group A), 52 by anastomotic urethroplasty (group B), and 39 by internal urethroplasty (group C). We evaluated the pre- and postoperative erectile function of the patients using IIEF-5 scores by telephone calls and interviews. We also monitored their nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT).The IIEF-5 scores in groups A, B and C were 13.5 +/- 4.5, 11.1 +/- 4.8 and 14.5 +/- 4.41 respectively after surgery, all significantly decreased as compared with 17.1 +/- 2.6, 17.1 +/- 3.0 and 17.6 +/- 2.2 preoperatively (P0.05).All the three surgical approaches can reduce IIEF-5 scores in patients with urethral stricture, but anastomotic urethroplasty may induce a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction than the other two approaches.

To observe the secretion of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) in rats of different ages and explore the possible relationship of IGF-1 with aging-related erectile dysfunction (ED).We primarily cultured CCSMCs of rats aged 4, 12 and 24 months, and identified them by immunohistochemistry. We quantitatively cultured the CCSMCs in 6-well culture plates, determined the levels of IGF-1 secreted from the CCSMCs by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and analyzed the effect of age on the IGF-1 level.CCSMCs were successfully cultured in vitro. The level of IGF-1 secreted from the CCSMCs was decreased with the increase of age, with 7.1 ng/10(5) cells in the 4-month-old group, 2.2 ng/10(5) cells in the 12-month group, and 1.9 ng/10(5) cells in the 24-month group, with statistically significant differences among the three groups (P0.01).The secretion of IGF-1 is reduced with the increase of age, and the decreased expression of IGF-1 might be associated with aging-related ED.

To investigate the application of the Chinese Urological Association (CUA) Guidelines on Prostatitis and its effects on the clinical practice patterns of diagnosing and treating chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) among Chinese urologists and andrologists.We conducted a questionnaire investigation on the application of the CUA Guidelines on Prostatitis among the urologists and andrologists of 173 hospitals in 21 cities of China, and performed statistical analyses on all the eligible questionnaires collected.Of the 1 056 questionnaires distributed, 851 (80.6%) were eligible, of which 71.6% were from the urologists or andrologists in grade 3 hospitals, 80.7% of them with senior or intermediate professional titles and 97.5% had studied the CUA Guidelines. Most of the subjects agreed that Type III prostatitis is a clinical syndrome, whose diagnosis should exclude other conditions with similar symptoms, and whose treatment should aim at relieving pain, alleviating urination symptoms and improving the quality of life. Those who had and those who had not studied the CUA Guidelines differed in their viewpoints on CPPS as illustrated in the book. In clinical practice, the most common treatment options for CPPS were psychological therapy (80.7%), medication (80.4%) and life style adjustment (79.6%), and the most frequently used drugs were phytotherapy (80.0%), alpha-blockers (68.9%) and antibiotics (61.0%).CUA Guidelines on Prostatitis has gained a nationwide application and promoted the standardization of the management of CPPS in China.

To explore the effects of gene transfer of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on the penis of senile rats and the altered levels of mRNA and protein of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).Ten young (4 months) and 20 senile (24 months) Sprague-Dawley male rats were selected. The senile rats were divided into 2 groups: phosphate buffer solution (PBS)-only (n = 10) and 100 µg IGF-1 plasmid treatment group (n = 10). After a 4-week injection of IGF-1, the responses of intracavernous pressure (ICP) with electrical stimulation to the cavernous nerve and systemic mean arterial pressure (MAP) were evaluated. In the control and transfected senile rats, the levels of eNOS mRNA and protein were examined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively.The ICP/MAP and total ICP were significantly higher in the young control group versus the PBS-only group at Week 4 (P0.05). The ICP/MAP and total ICP were significantly higher in the young control group and the 100 µg IGF-1 treatment group versus the PBS-only group at Week 4 (P0.05). The levels of mRNA and protein of eNOS were higher in the 100 µg IGF-1 treatment group versus the PBS-only group at Week 4 (0.62 ± 0.16 vs 0.25 ± 0.08, 0.71 ± 0.19 vs 0.27 ± 0.09, both P0.05, respectively).The gene therapy of IGF-1 can ameliorate erectile functions and improve the levels of mRNA and protein of eNOS in senile rats.

Growth factors have a universal bioactivity. Gene therapy is a new strategy in dealing with erectile dysfunction (ED). This paper presents an overview on the value of growth factors, particularly the vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), in the treatment of ED.

To investigate the efficacy and possible action mechanism of Qianlie Beixi Capsules in the treatment of unliquefiable semen.A total of 190 patients with unliquefiable semen were treated with Qianlie Beixi Capsules for 1 or 2 courses (3 weeks per a course). The seminal changes were observed and recorded.Of the 190 patients in the 1-course treatment arm, 99 were cured and 91 failed to respond after the first course. And the effectiveness rate was 52.1%. Of the 122 patients in the 2-course treatment arm, 81 were cured and 41 failed to respond after the second course. And the effectiveness rate was 66.4%. The efficacy of 2-course regimen was obviously better than that of 1-course regiment. In the meantime, sperm density improved in the 2-course treatment arm. Sperm motility improved slightly in the effective subjects of 1-course treatment arm. All the above results had statistically significant differences (P0.05).Qianlie Beixi Capsules is both safe and effective for unliquefiable semen and may shorten the time of seminal liquefaction.

Previous studies have confirmed the gene transfer of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and the IGF-1 protein can improve the erectile function in aging rats. IGF binding protein (BP)-3 can regulates the availability of IGF-I. The higher expression of IGFBP-3 may play an important role in erectile dysfunction (ED).The study aimed to investigate the mRNA and protein expression of IGFBP-3 in young and old rat penile tissues and assess the alteration of the penile structure and the NO-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic-monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathways-related marker in ED associated with aging.The main outcome measures for this study were the expression of IGFBP-3, morphological changes, NO-cGMP signaling pathways-related marker, erectile responses were determined.Traditional reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR were performed to examine the mRNA expression of the IGFBP-3. The Western blot was used to confirm the protein expression. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to identify the cellular localization of the encoded protein. The percentage of smooth muscle in corpus cavernosum tissue, the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and concentration of cGMP in penile tissue were also analyzed.The expression levels of IGFBP-3 of mRNA and protein were greatly increased in aging rats compared with young control rats, which is confirmed by traditional RT-PCR, real-time PCR, and Western blot (P0.01, respectively). Increased IGFBP-3 protein was localized to the epithelium of the urethra, penile endothelium, and smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum. Significant depletion of the smooth muscle density relative to the connective tissue was also observed in the penis of the aged rats, and the lower activity of NOS and lower concentration of cGMP was also demonstrated accompanied with a significant reduction in the intracavernous pressure.Our data suggest that the increased mRNA and protein expression of IGFBP-3 in old rats may play a role in ED.

To compare the postoperative depths of the coagulation zones and pathological changes between bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate with plasmakinetic energy (PKRP) and monopolar transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) in canines.Twenty-five male dogs were randomly divided into a PKRP group (n = 12), a TURP group (n = 12) and a sham-operation control group (n = 1). The dogs were sacrificed, their prostates harvested at 0 week (immediately after surgery), 1 week, 2 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively and sectioned for pathologic analysis and measurement of the coagulation zones.At 0, 1 and 2 weeks after the operation, the coagulation depths were (237.73 +/- 20.12) microm, (113.03 +/- 16.65) microm and (106.01 +/- 16.36) microm in the PKRP group, and (200.75 +/-19.34) microm, (129.46 +/- 17.81) microm and (116.04 +/- 25.67) microm in the TURP group (P0.01). At 8 weeks, the coagulation zones completely peeled off and the wounds were covered by regenerated urothelial in both of the groups. At 0, 1, 2 and 8 weeks, different inflammatory reactions were observed in the prostates of the PKRP and TURP groups, with some glandular lumens beneath the coagulation zones expanded and epithelia damaged. However, none of these phenomena occurred in the sham-operation control group.Pathologically, PKRP and TURP inflicted basically similar effects on the prostate of the canine. However, the coagulation zone was deeper intraoperatively and became thinner postoperatively with the former than with the latter, which suggests that PKRP causes less bleeding and less penetrative thermal damage than TURP.

To study the effects of capsaicin on the growth of bladder cancer RT4 cell and its potential mechanism.Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry were employed to observe the effects of capsaicin (50, 100, 150, 200, 250 micromol/L) on cell growth, cell cycle and apoptosis. Capsaicin (0 micromol/L) was used as a control. The effects of mRNA and protein of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V 1 (TRPV1) on RT4 cells were tested by RT-PCR and immunofluorescence respectively. And the expressions of cell cycle protein P53, P21, CDK2 were detected by Western blot after the treatment of capsaicin.100 micromol/L capsaicin significantly decreased the viability of RT4 cell [82.0% +/- 6.2% vs 100.0% +/- 12.4% (control), P = 0.036] while the cell viability was 7.8% +/- 2.9% at 250 micromol/L (P = 0.000). It was in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, capsaicin induced the cell cycle arrest of bladder cancer RT4 cells G(0)/G(1) phase in a dose-dependent way. The cell proportion of G(0)/G(1) phase in the control was 37.4% +/- 5.6%, however, it was 72.4% +/- 5.3% at 250 micromol/L (P = 0.000). It was showed that TRPV1 mRNA and protein were expressed in RT4 cells. After a 48-hour treatment with capsaicin, the expressions of P53 and P21 were up-regulated in contrary to the expression of CDK2.Capsaicin induces the cell cycle arrest of bladder cancer RT4 cells G(0)/G(1) phase and growth inhibition via TRPV1 receptor by modulating the expression of P53, P21 and CDK2.

To study the expression of the mRNAs of transient receptor potential (TRP) gene subfamily TRPV and TRPM in rat testes.Normal SD rat testes were collected and the expression of TRPV and TRPM mRNAs were detected by routine RT-PCR.The TRPV4, TRPV5, TRPV6, TRPM3, TRPM4 and TRPM8 mRNAs were detected in the rat testes, but the other members of TRPV and TRPM family were not detected.TRPV4, TRPV5, TRPV6, TRPM3, TRPM4 and TRPM8 are expressed in rat testes. This finding provides the basis for exploring the functions of TRPV and TRPM in the testes and the relation between testis diseases and the TRP family.

We investigated the effects of transient receptor potential M8 (TRPM8) channel on the proliferation and motility of androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells. After being permanently transfected with an empty vector and cDNA encoding the TRPM8 protein, cells were analysed for cell cycle distribution and motility using flow cytometry and scratch assay. Immunocytochemistry and Ca2+ imaging analysis revealed the overexpression of functional TRPM8 channel on both endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane of PC-3-TRPM8 cells. Cell cycle distribution and scratch assay analysis revealed that TRPM8 induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 stage (P < 0.05) and facilitated the cell apoptosis induced by starvation (P < 0.05). Furthermore, TRPM8 inhibited the migration of PC-3-TRPM8 cells (P < 0.01) through the inactivation of focal-adhesion kinase. It appears that TRPM8 was not essential for the survival of PC-3 cells; however, the overexpression of TRPM8 had negative effects on the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells. Thus, TRPM8 and its agonists may serve as important targets for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Objectives To investigate the effects of capsaicin (CAP) on proliferation of bladder cancer T24 cells in vitro as well as on xenografts in nude mice in vivo. Methods T24 cells were assessed for cell viability and apoptosis by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-3, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and flow cytometry analysis after incubation with different concentrations of CAP. To uncover the mechanism by which CAP affected the viability of T24 cells, intracellular production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential were assessed. To study the in vivo effects of CAP, T24 cells were grown as xenografts in nude mice and CAP (5 mg/kg by wt) was subcutaneously injected into nude mice with bladder tumors. Results CAP decreased the viability of T24 cells in a dose-dependent manner without marked apoptosis. CAP induced ROS production and mitochondrial membrane depolarization, thereby inducing cell death, not apoptosis, in T24 cells at a concentration of 100 μ m or higher. Furthermore, these effects of CAP could be reversed by capsazepine, the antagonist of transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 channel. In vivo experiment showed that CAP significantly slowed the growth of T24 bladder cancer xenografts as measured by size (661.80 ± 62.03 vs 567.02 ± 43.94 mm 3 ; P Conclusions CAP mediates cell death in T24 cells through calcium entry-dependent ROS production and mitochondrial depolarization, and it may have a role in the management of bladder cancer.

To investigate the expression of transient receptor potential melastatin (TRPM) and transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) channel family genes in rat spermatogenic cells.Rat spermatogenic cells were isolated by a mechanical procedure and the total RNA was extracted using TRIzol reagent. TRPM and TRPV channel family genes were amplified by RT-PCR and the presence of the target genes was detected by agarose gel electrophoresis. The relative gene expression levels were measured by real-time quantitative RT-PCR.TRPV5, TRPM3, TRPM4 and TRPM7 mRNAs were expressed in rat spermatogenic cells, but TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3, TRPV4, TRPV6, TRPM1, TRPM2, TRPM5, TRPM6, TRPM7 and TRPM8 mRNAs were not detected. The relative expressions of TRPM and TRPV mRNA were determined by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. TRPM7 expression was the highest among all the TRPM subtypes in rat spermatogenic cells, at a level equivalent to (0.0430-/+0.0034)% of beta-actin expression. TRPM3 and TRPM4 were also highly expressed, but their expression levels were only approximately 56% and 63% of that of TRPM7, respectively. For the TRPV subfamily, only TRPV5 mRNA was abundantly expressed at the level of (0.0157-/+0.0029)% relative to that of beta-actin.TRPV5, TRPM3, TRPM4 and TRPM7 mRNAs were coexpressed in spermatogenic cells in rats, among which TRPM4 and TRPM7 mRNA were expressed at high levels. TRPM4 and TRPM7 channels may be involved in the regulation of growth, differentiation and maturation of rat spermatogenic cells and are associated with the generation of the sperms.

To investigate the best dose and the long-term effect of the human insulin-like growth factor-1 (hIGF-1) gene injection into the penis of aged rats.Included in this study were 10 young (4 months old) and 40 aged (24 months old) Sprague-Dawley male rats, the latter equally divided into a PBS control and a 10 microg, a 100 microg and a 1 000 microg hIGF-1 injection group. Electrical stimulation was conducted 4 and 8 weeks after hIGF-1 injection into the penile corpus cavernous of the rats to detect the intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Dose - and time -associated therapeutic results were analyzed and the mRNA expression of hIGF-1 determined by RT - PCR.ICP, MAP and total ICP were significant decreased by electrical stimulation in the aged rats as compared with the young ones (P0.05), statistically increased in the three hIGF-1 dose groups in comparison with the PBS controls (P0.05), and showed no obvious difference between the young rats and the latter two dose groups at 4 and 8 weeks. Although less obvious effect was achieved in the 10 microg group than in the young rats, the therapeutic result was still of significance. The mRNA expression of the hIGF-1 gene was confirmed in all the hIGF-1 treated rats.The hIGF-1 therapy can improve erectile function in aged rats, 100 microg suffices for effective erection and the effect may last at least 8 weeks for a single dose.

Bladder cancer is the most common malignancy of all genitourinary tumors. Urine cytology is the "gold standard" for non-invasive diagnosis of bladder cancer, but its sensitivity is low. This study was to explore the clinical value of combined detection with urinary bladder cancer antigen (UBC), hyaluronic acid (HA) and cytokeratin 20 (CK20) in the diagnosis of bladder cancer.Urine samples were obtained from 64 patients with bladder cancer and 20 patients with benign urological disease. Urine UBC, HA and CD20 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), radioimmunology assay, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) respectively, before cystoscopy.UBC, HA and CK20 yielded significantly higher sensitivity in detecting bladder cancer compared to urinary cytology (85.9%, 89.1% and 78.1% vs. 40.6%, P0.01). The specificity of UBC, HA, CK20 and urinary cytology for the detection of bladder cancer were 85.0%, 80.0%, 80.0% and 95.0%, respectively. The sensitivity of UBC, HA and CK20 were all significantly higher than that of urinary cytology in detecting different histological stages and grades of bladder cancer (P0.01). The value of UBC had no significant difference in different histological stages and grades of bladder cancer (P0.05). The sensitivity of HA was significantly higher in G2 and G3 grades than in G1 grade (P0.01), but not different between G2 and G3 grades(P0.05). No difference in HA values was observed between different histological types (P0.05) regarding to HA. The sensitivity of CK20 was significantly elevated with the increase of histological grades and stages. Combined use of UBC, HA and CK20 improved the sensitivity and specificity of detecting bladder cancer to 96.9% (62/64) and 100.0%, respectively.Combined use of UBC, HA and CK20 can improve the sensitivity and specificity for the detection of bladder cancer in urine, thus it may replace conventional cystoscopy in the primary diagnosis.

Introduction Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is one of the growth factors that have a wide range of biologic effects. We have confirmed that gene transfer of IGF-1 to the penis could improve erectile capacity. However, there are some limitations in gene therapies, such as toxicity or a risk of insertional mutagenesis. Protein treatment may be another choice for decreasing these risks. Aim To investigate whether intracavernosal injection of IGF-1 protein can restore erectile function in the aging rat. Main Outcome Measures Erectile responses, morphological changes, and nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (NO-cGMP) signaling pathways-related marker were determined. Methods Ten young (4 months) and 30 old (24 months) Sprague-Dawley male rats were enrolled in this study. The old rats were divided into three groups: vehicle-only (N = 10), IGF-1 1 µg/kg (N = 10) and IGF-1 10 µg/kg treatment group (N = 10). After 4 and 8 weeks of single IGF-1 injection treatment, intracavernous pressure (ICP) responses with electrical stimulation to the cavernous nerve were evaluated. The percent of smooth muscle in corpus cavernosum tissue, the expression of mRNA and protein of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) were also evaluated. The activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and concentration of guanosine 3′,5′-cyclic-monophosphate (cGMP) that act upon the major NO-cGMP signaling pathways in penile tissue were also analyzed. Results After IGF-1 treatment, the ICP responses was significantly increased as the young control group in both the IGF-1 1 µg/kg and the IGF-1 10 µg/kg group compared with the vehicle-only group at 4 and 8 weeks ( P Conclusions IGF-1 improved erectile function in aged rats via restoration the integrity of smooth muscle of corpus cavernosum and modulation of NO-cGMP pathways. Pu, X-Y, Wang X-H, Gao W-C, Yang Z-H, and Li S-L. Insulin-like growth factor-1 restores erectile function in aged rats: Modulation the integrity of smooth muscle and nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate signaling activity.

To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the Chinese medicine Yiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin on type III A prostatitis.A total of 180 patients with type III A prostatitis were equally randomized into a treatment group, which received Yiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin, and a control group, which was given Yiqigushen Capsule only, both for 4 weeks. NIH-CPSI scores and leukocyte counts in the expressed prostatic secretions of all the patients were analyzed before and after the treatment.After the treatment, NIH-CPSI scores and leukocyte counts in the expressed prostatic secretions of both the groups were significantly decreased compared with pre-treatment (P0.05 or 0.01), with statistic differences in NIH-CPSI scores but not in leukocyte counts (P0.05) between the two groups.Yiqigushen Capsule combined with levofloxacin is highly effective for type III A prostatitis.

To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) with bipolar plasmakinetic energy.We reviewed the records of 121 patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated at our institute. Bipolar TURBT with plasmakinetic energy was performed for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in all patients. Resected tissue was examined by a pathologist who recorded the number of tumors, tumor size, tumor shape, location, grade, invasion of the muscularis propria, and presence of muscular invasion. The operating time, length of hospital stay, blood loss, and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded by a urologist. Follow-up was 3 to 5.5 years after operation.The median age of the patients was 61 years; 41 patients had multiple tumors and 80 had single tumors. The mean tumor size was 1.9 cm in diameter. The tumor was located in the lateral wall of the bladder in 67 patients. The mean operative time was (25 +/- 16) minutes and the mean postoperative hospitalization period was 3 days. Three (2.5%) patients had hematuria requiring blood transfusion and 2 (1.7%) patients had bladder perforation. Adductor contraction was noted in 6 patients (4.9%), and urethral strictures occurred in 5 patients (4.1%).Transurethral resection of bladder tumors with bipolar plasmakinetic energy is safe and effective in the treatment of superficial bladder tumors.

To report our operative technique and initial outcomes of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) and external orthoptic gastric neobladder. Since 2003, nine patients have undergone laparoscopic radical cystectomy with orthotopic gastric neobaldder at our institution. The specimen is extracted through a 6-cm vertical minilaparotomy incision above the umbilicus. The gastric neobladder was constructed as our open technique using the part of stomach body and antrum with the pedicle of gastroepiploic vascular bundle through the site of specimen retrieval. The operative data, complications and follow-up functional data were analyzed. The mean operative time was 365 min (300–450). Mean blood loss was 520 ml (200–1,500) and four patients (44.4%) required blood transfusion. In all cases no conversion to open surgery was necessary. The length of stay was 17 days and the total complication rate was 55.6% (five cases). All patients were free of recurrence at a mean follow-up of 22 months (3–48). The day and night incontinence rate was 11.1 and 44.4%, respectively. At 6 months after operation, urodynamic evaluations indicated a larger capacity, low pressure urinary reservoir. Laparoscopic radical cystectomy with orthotopic gastric neobladder is a feasible intervention. The external construction of the gastric neobladder using the part of stomach body and antrum is quick and safe. With precise and increased operative technique, the LRC with orthotopic gastric baldder may be a good choice for urinary diversion. However, the larger samples, long-term compared studies with bowel diversions are required to evaluate this new technique.

Aim: To investigate the expression and distribution of the members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) channel members of TRP melastatin (TRPM) and TRP vanilloid (TRPV) subfamilies in rat prostatic tissue. Methods: Prostate tissue was obtained from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to check the expression of all TRPM and TRPV channel members with specific primers. Immunohistochemistry staining for TRPM8 and TRPV1 were also performed in rat tissues. Results: TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM6, TRPM7, TRPM8, TRPV2 and TRPV4 mRNA were detected in all rat prostatic tissues. Very weak signals for TRPM1, TRPV1 and TRPV3 were also detected. The mRNA of TRPM5, TRPV5 and TRPV6 were not detected in all RT-PCR experiments. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR showed that TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM8, TRPV2 and TRPV4 were the most abundantly expressed TRPM and TRPV subtypes, respectively. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry indicated that TRPM8 and TRPV1 are highly expressed in both epithelial and smooth muscle cells. Conclusion: Our results demonstrate that mRNA or protein for TRPM1, TRPM2, TRPM3, TRPM4, TRPM6, TRPM7, TRPM8, TRPV1, TRPV2, TRPV3 and TRPV4 exist in rat prostatic tissue. The data presented here assists in elucidating the physiological function of TRPM and TRPV channels.

To comparatively evaluate the effect of 3- versus 8-month neoadjuvant hormonal therapy (NHT) on laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP) operative and postoperative parameters.We evaluated 55 patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated by 3-month (25 patients, group-1), 8-month NHT (19 patients, group-2) and non-neoadjuvant therapy (11 patients, group-3) before LRP. Serum PSA levels and prostate volume were measured and evaluated monthly before operation. The operative and postoperative parameters were recorded and compared in the three different groups.Transrectal ultrasound determined that prostate volume decreased 39.6% in group 1 and 35.4% in group 2 after 3-month NHT and a further 34.4% in group 2 after 8-month NHT. The mean prostate volume was significantly smaller after 8-month than 3-month NHT in group 2 (P0.05). Mean serum PSA decreased 97.8% in group 1 and 98.1% in group 2 after 3-month NHT. A further 72.9% PSA decrease was determined after 8-month NHT in group 2. There were no significant differences in the three groups with respect to mean operative time, mean blood loss, transfusion rate, operative difficulty, catheterization time, hospital time and complication rate (P0.05, respectively). Positive margin rate was significantly lower in the 3- or 8-month NHT group than in the non-adjuvant group (P0.05, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the 3- and 8-month groups with respect to positive margin rate (P0.05).The prolonged NHT (8-month) did not affect the operative or postoperative parameters. The LRP can be safely performed in patients after prolonged NHT. Prospective randomized studies are required to determine whether prolonged NHT reduces the risk of biochemical recurrence after LRP.

To determine the incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) after PlasmaKinetic vaporization of the prostate (PKVP) using objective and subjective parameters and risk factors.A total of 153 men completed a questionnaire detailing perceived sexual dysfunction and underwent nocturnal penile-tumescence testing using the RigiScan for three consecutive nights 3 or 4 days preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)-5 scores were obtained preoperatively and postoperatively. Full details of each operation were recorded, including grams of tissue resected, operative time, any short-term complications, especially emphasizing capsular perforation, and concomitant diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. The association of risk factors with the development of ED after PKVP was assessed. Complete data were available for 103 men (67.3%). Their mean age was 62.1 years (range 48-83 years).Postoperatively, 11 patients (10.6%) were found to have ED. Patients who developed ED postoperatively had a lower IIEF-5 score and penile-tumescence parameters preoperatively (for all parameters, P0.0001). As risk factors, diabetes, capsular perforation, and an IIEF-5 score21 were found to be significant.The incidence of ED after PKVP measured objectively was 10.6%. In the absence of the risk factors, PKVP is a safe therapeutic strategy with regard to sexual function.

To explore the antifertility effect and safety of 30% ethanol retro-injection into the vas deferens of the rat.Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats, 3 m of age and (200 +/- 20) g in weight, were equally randomized into an experimental group and a control group. The former received 30% ethanol (0.5 ml) and the latter 0.9% sodium chloride (0.5 ml), both retro-injected into the vas deferens. Pregnancy rates were obtained through pregnancy tests with 60 Sprague-Dawley female adult rats 1.5 m and 3 m after the injection. All the male rats were sacrificed three months later, and tests were done for the rates of sperm motility and deformity as well as for the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells with TUNEL.The 1.5 m pregnancy rate was 0 and the 3 m sperm motility and pregnancy rates were (0.32 +/- 1.12)% and (0.58 +/- 1.27)%, significantly decreased (P0.05) as compared with those of the control group, which were (80.62 +/- 2.68)%, (70.68 +/- 1.62)% and (86.62 +/- 1.68)%, respectively. While the 3 m sperm deformity rate in the experimental group was (78.26 +/- 1.08)%, increased significantly (P0.05), and the apoptosis index (AI) of spermatogenic cells was (7.63 +/- 1.16)% as compared with (5.62 +/- 1.32)% of the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P0.05).Retro-injection of 30% ethanol into the vas deferens of the rat produces significant antifertility effect on rats, but has no significant influence on their spermatogenic cells.

Aim: To determine whether adenoviral gene transfer of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to the penis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats could improve erectile capacity. Methods: The STZ diabetic rats were transfected with AdCMV-βgal or AdCMV-IGF-1. These rats underwent cavernous nerve stimulation to assess erectile function and their responses were compared with those of age-matched control rats 1 to 2 days after transfection. In control and transfected STZ diabetic rats, IGF-1 expression were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and histology. The penis β-galactosidase activity and localization of the STZ diabetic rats were also determined. Results: One to two days after transfection, the β-galactosidase was found in the smooth muscle cells of the diabetic rat penis transfected with AdCMV-βgal. One to 2 days after administration of AdCMV-IGF-1, the cavernosal pressure, as determined by the ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure-to-mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) and total intracavernous pressure (ICP), was increased in response to cavernous nerve stimulation. Transgene expression was confirmed by RT-PCR, Western blot and histology. Conclusion: Gene transfer of IGF-1 significantly increased erectile function in the STZ diabetic rats. These results suggest that in vivo gene transfer of IGF-1 might be a new therapeutic intervention for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the STZ diabetic rats. Edited by Prof. Aleksander Giwercman

To investigate the reduction of sperm motility in rats induced by vas-to-epididymis antidromic injection of 30% ethanol and its mechanism.Forty male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 3 groups: bilateral vas injection (n = 15) , sham operation control (n = 15) and normal (n = 10). An aliquot of 0.5 ml of 30% ethanol was injected from vas to epididymis bilaterally. After 1 month, all the rats'vasa and epididymides were ablated for studies of the sperm motility, construction changes of the vas and contents of IL-6, IFN-gamma and carnitine of the epididymis.There was markedly significant difference in sperm motility in the injection group (P0.01). The number of sperms in the bilateral vas injection group was 31, while in the sham operation control and normal groups was 64 and 68, respectively. The contents of IL-6 and IFN-gamma increased, and the carnitine reduced significantly (P0.05). However, no significant differences were noted between the control and the normal groups (P0.05). The contents of IL-6, IFN-gamma and carnitine in the bilateral vas injection group were 772.7 pg/ml, 350.7 pg/ml and 491.1 mol/L. But the same indexes in the sham operation and normal groups were 308.5 pg/ml, 172. 2 pg/ml and 664. 6 mol/L and 287. 8 pg/ml, 163. 8 pg/ml and 605.5 mol/L.The antidromic injection of ethanol from vas to epididymis can not only interfere the environment for sperm maturation but also activate the immunologic cells that secrete many cytokines (CK) in the genital system. All the factors can induce the reduction of sperm motility.

To evaluate the effect and safety of transurethral prostatectomy with the bipolar plasmakinetic technique (PKRP) compared with the transurethral resection (TURP) in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).Four hundred BPH patients with matched lesions were divided into 2 groups: 200 patients, aged 74.1 (58-91), underwent transurethral prostatectomy with PKRP, and 200 patients, aged 73.8 (56-90), underwent TURP.In the PKRP group the average IPSS decreased from 27.1 +/- 4.5 preoperatively to 11.3 +/- 3.4 postoperatively 6 months after (P0.01), the. average maximum flow-rate Q (max) increased from 6.1 +/- 2.4 ml/s preoperatively to 18.6 +/- 3.5 ml/s postoperatively (P0.01), and the average residual urine (RU) reduced from 102.3 +/- 43.3 ml preoperatively to 22.6 +/- 16.3 ml after the operation (P0.01). However in the TURP group the average IPSS decreased from 26.9 +/- 4.2 preoperatively to 10.8 +/- 3.6 6 months after the operation (P0.01), the Q (max) increased from 5.7 +/- 2.4 ml/s preoperatively to 19.1 +/- 3.7 ml/s postoperatively (P0.01), and the average RU decreased from 102.3 +/- 43.3 ml preoperatively to 22.6 +/- 16.3 ml after the operation (P0.01). There were no significant differences in these parameters between these 2 groups (all P0.05). The average catheter retention time was 31.5 h in the PKRP, significantly shorter than that in the TURP group (61.5 hours, P0.01). The incidence rate of post-operational asynodia in the PKRP group was 14.3%, not significantly different from that in the TURP group (15.2%, P0.05). During the operation no hemorrhage or transurethral resection syndrome (TURS) occurred in the PKRP group, however, there were 5 cases of TURS and 18 cases of blood transfusion in the TURP group.PKRP has the same therapeutic efficacy as TURP on BPH. Moreover, it was more cheaper and with lower complication than TURP.

Sildenafil is an orally effective therapy for the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction (ED). It is a specific and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5). This paper reviews the researches on the pharmacokinetics, the onset and duration of the action of Sildenafil.