The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been considered a useful tumor marker in monitoring responses, disease progression and recurrence after therapy in patients with prostatic cancer. However. The effect of digital rectal examination on serum PSA determination has remained controversial. The author. therefore. investigated the influence of examination on seurm PSA values. Blood samples were taken before (T0) and 5 minutes (T1), 1 hour (T2), 24 hours (Ts) and I week (T4) after digital rectal examination and the concentration of serum PSA was measured using a Tandeme radioimmunometric assay in 49 persons including 7 patients with prostatic cancer. 27 patients with BPH and 15 controls free of prostatic disorder, The following results were obtained. 1. In normal control group. the mean (+/-SD) PSA values before and 5 minutes, 1 hour. 24 hours and l week after digital rectal examination were 1.51+/-1.12, 2.12+/-1.57. 2.53+/-1.62, 2.39+/-1.41 and 1.97+/-1.20 (ng/ml) respectively. Although serum PSA values measured at 5 minutes. 1 hour, 24 hours and 1 week after digital rectal examination were significantly elevated (p<0.05), most of post-examination PSA values remained within the normal range. 2. In benign prostatic hyperplasia. statistically significant differences between PSA values before and 1 hour and 24 hours after digital rectal examination were observed (p<0.05), while in prostatic cancer group. there were no significant differences between paired pre-examination and post-examination mean PSA values. 3. There were statistically significant differences between PSA values before and 5 minutes, 1 hour, 24 hours and 1 week after rectal examination in normal-value group (<4.0 ng/ml) and between PSA values before and 1 hour after rectal examination in high-value group (>4.0 ng /ml). These results suggest that the evaluation of the concentration or PSA level for prostatic cancer suspected should be done before or immediately after prostatic manipulation.
Digital Rectal Examination* ; Disease Progression ; Humans ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Recurrence ; Reference Values

No abstract available.
Animals ; Castration* ; Finasteride* ; Prostate* ; Rats*

Objective: To evaluate the effects of Catalpa bignonioides fruit extract on the promotion of muscle growth and muscular capacity in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Cell viability was measured using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol- 2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Cell proliferation was assessed using a 5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assay kit. Western blot analysis was performed to determine the protein expressions of related factors. The effects of Catalpa bignonioides extract were investigated in mice using the treadmill exhaustion test and whole-limb grip strength assay. Chemical composition analysis was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results: Catalpa bignonioides extract increased the proliferation of C2C12 mouse myoblasts by activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway. It also induced metabolic changes, increasing the number of mitochondria and glucose metabolism by phosphorylating adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase. In an in vivo study, the extract-treated mice showed improved motor abilities, such as muscular endurance and grip strength. Additionally, HPLC analysis showed that vanillic acid may be the main component of the Catalpa bignonioides extract that enhanced muscle strength. Conclusions: Catalpa bignonioides improves exercise performance through regulation of growth and metabolism in skeletal muscles, suggesting its potential as an effective natural agent for improving muscular strength.