Bipolar prostate thermotherapy for the improvement of chronic prostatitis symptoms and ejaculation problems

Non-Invasive Radiofrequency Hyperthermia Attenuates HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB Inflammatory Axis in a Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Rat Model

PURPOSE

The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of the non-invasive radiofrequency hyperthermia (RFHT) device on chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) rat model and investigate the underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly distributed into three groups: (1) normal control group, (2) CP/CPPS group, and (3) RFHT group. CP/CPPS rat models were induced by 17β-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone for 4 weeks and RFHT was administered for 5 weeks after model establishment. During RFHT administration, core body temperatures were continuously monitored with a rectal probe. After administering RFHT, we assessed pain index for all groups and collected prostate tissues for Western blot analysis, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry. We also collected adjacent organs to the prostate including urinary bladder, testes, and rectum for safety assessment via H&E staining along with a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling assay.

RESULTS

After administering RFHT, pain in rats was significantly alleviated compared to the CP/CPPS group. RFHT reduced high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) expression and improved inflammation by downregulating subsequent proinflammatory cytokines through inhibition of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway. In prostate-adjacent organs, no significant histological alteration or inflammatory infiltration was detected. The area of cell death also did not increase significantly after RFHT.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, RFHT demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the HMGB1-TLR4-NF-κB pathway in CP/CPPS rat models. This suggests that RFHT could serve as a safe and promising therapeutic strategy for CP/CPPS.

Long-term efficacy and safety of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (Li-ESWT) protocols in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) patients

AIM

This study aims to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of Li-ESWT in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) patients and to compare the effect of treatment protocol differences on success.

METHOD

Between December 2019 and January 2021, the data of male patients over the age of 18 who applied to the urology outpatient clinic with CP/CPPS symptoms were retrospectively analyzed. International Prostate Symptom Index (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function-Erectile Function (IIEF-EF) questionnaires were filled in for the evaluation of erectile function. All patients received treatment with the Medispect Bold Li-ESWT. The treatment responses of the patients who received a total of 6 sessions from one session per week and 12 sessions from two sessions per week were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 129 patients were included in the study. Significant improvements were observed in the NIH-CPSI, IPSS, and IIEF-EF scores at the third month follow-ups of the patients after EWST (p < 0.001 for each). Improvements in scores were also found to be significant in NIH-CPSI, IPSS, and IIEF-EF at the 12th month evaluation. When the patients were evaluated according to the number of Li-ESWT sessions they received, the IPSS score average of the patient group who received 12 sessions of Li-ESWT was found to be lower than the patients who received 6 sessions of Li-ESWT (5.67 ± 2, 30 vs 4.51 ± 2.21; p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in the IIEF-EF and IPSS scores in the 12th month evaluations of the patients, but the mean NIH-CPSI score was found to be higher in the group that received 12 sessions of Li-ESWT (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSION

Li-ESWT in the treatment of CP/CPPS patients shows positive improvements in urinary symptoms, erectile function, and quality of life in patients unresponsive to other medical treatments. The increase in the number of sessions does not seem to influence the symptoms of the patients.

Calycosin protects against chronic prostatitis in rats via inhibition of the p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway

Currently, the effect and molecular mechanism of calycosin, the main active ingredient of Qinshi Simiao San, which can alleviate chronic prostatitis (CP), on CP remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanism of action of calycosin in CP in a rat CP model. The prostate tissue morphology was evaluated based on hematoxylin-eosin staining. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to evaluate inflammatory cytokine and immune factor levels (secretory immunoglobulin A [SIgA]; immunoglobulin G [IgG]) in prostate tissues and serum. Additionally, representative biomarkers of oxidative stress, including malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were detected using detection kits, and reactive oxygen species release was evaluated using immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK)/NF-kappaB (NF-κB) signaling pathway was analyzed by western blotting. The results showed that calycosin substantially ameliorated the pathological damage to prostate tissues of the CP rats. Moreover, calycosin significantly downregulated interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, IgG, and SIgA levels. Furthermore, we found that calycosin considerably suppressed oxidative stress and inhibited the activation of the p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway in rats with CP. In summary, our findings revealed that calycosin protects against CP in rats by inhibiting the p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Can transurethral thermotherapy save elderly patients with benign prostatic obstruction and high ASA score?

INTRODUCTION

The Aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of the new bipolar radiofrequency prostate thermotherapy method for those with high potential surgical risk and also for patients with a chronic catheter.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

103 patients attending our clinic due to BPO and related complaints with high ASA score had outcomes after the procedure recorded prospectively and investigated retrospectively. Qmax, prostate volume, IPSS score, quality of life score, and presence of catheters were recorded before the procedure and analyzed with the outcomes after the procedure.

RESULTS

The ASA scores were calculated as 3.0 ± 1.0 (IQR). Before the procedure, Qmax values (mean (SD)) were 5.11 ± 5.37 ml/s, while in the 6th month after the procedure Qmax values were identified as 10.45 ± 3.8 ml/s (p < 0.001). Of 53 patients (55.2%) with chronic catheters who could not be operated, 30 (61.2%) no longer required urinary catheter.

CONCLUSION

Bipolar RF thermotherapy appears to be an effective method for patients with BPO who cannot be operated. Due to the surgical risks of patients dependent on the catheter in spite of receiving medical treatment, it is a good alternative to remove catheter dependence. It may be one of the methods that should be remembered, especially in this patient group.

Bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy treatment of the prostate in urinary catheter-dependent men

OBJECTIVES

In this study, for the first time in the literature, we evaluated patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) who had undergone permanent urinary catheterization for urinary retention and who were treated with radiofrequency (RF) thermotherapy as an alternative method due to their inoperability based on the high risk associated with anesthesia. We aimed to investigate these patients' posttreatment parameters concerning the catheter-free rates, quality of life (QoL) changes, and retrospective treatment efficacy.

METHODS

RF thermotherapy was applied to 62 permanent patients catheterized within the last 3 months due to urinary retention. The follow-up data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who were free of catheters and those who required permanent catheterization were determined. The changes in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), QoL, postvoiding residue (PVR), and maximal flow rate (Q_max ) values were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 52 patients were evaluated in terms of treatment success in relation to the elimination of the need for a urinary catheter, which was calculated as 73.07%. The Q_max , IPSS, QoL, and PVR values of 38 patients who no longer required a catheter were monitored for 24 months, and statistically significant changes were observed in all parameters.

CONCLUSION

Bipolar RF thermotherapy was found to be beneficial for men dependent on catheters due to BPH. It can be recommended as a safe, minimally invasive treatment method for elderly patients with a high anesthesia risk.

Effect of bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy on benign prostate hyperplasia

This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the new bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy device (TEMPRO) in treating patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Between December 2017 and November 2018, 72 male patients with BPH were included. All patients completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) questionnaires. Physical examinations were performed, and prostate volume, prostatic urethral length and post-voiding residual urine (PVR) were measured using ultrasound. Uroflowmetry was used to calculate the maximum flow rate of urination (Qmax). Bipolar radiofrequency thermotherapy was applied with TEMPRO system containing a 16Fr applicator. All patients were re-evaluated at 6 months post-operatively. The mean age of the patients was 63.22 ± 6.68 years. All patients were treated with local anaesthesia, and three patients were unable to complete the procedure. The median (IQR) visual analogue scale score was 1 (0-3) at 6 hr post-operatively. After 6 months, significant improvements were observed in the IPSS, QoL, Qmax and PVR values of the patients (p < .001 for Qmax, IPSS and QoL; p = .03 for PMR). The success rate of the procedure was similar between patients with prostate volumes <70 and >70 ml. Due to its low rate of complication, the TEMPRO^© treatment is effective in treating BPH, especially among aged patients and those with serious symptoms.