OBJECTIVETo investigate the precise locations of the blood vessels and nerves surrounding the seminal vesicles (SV) in men and provide some anatomical evidence for SV-related minimally invasive surgery.

METHODSWe observed the courses and distribution of the blood vessels and nerves surrounding SVs and obtained the data for positioning the SV neuroplexes in 20 male pelvises.

RESULTSOne branch of the neuroplexes was distributed to the SVs bilaterally with the neurovascular bundles, (2.85 ± 0.18) cm from the median sulcus of the prostate (MSP), while another branch ran through the Denonvillier fascia behind the SV, (0.81 ± 0.06) cm from the MSP. The arterial SVs (ASV) originated from the inferior vesical artery and fell into 4 types, 55% going directly to the SVs as one branch, 15% running between the SV and the ampulla of the deferent duct as another branch, 25% downward as 2 branches to the SV and between the SV and the ampulla of the deferent duct respectively, and 5% as the other ASVs. The shortest distance from the ASV through the prostatic neuroplexus to the posterior SV was (1.08 ± 0.09) cm.

CONCLUSIONIn SV resection, neuroplexus injury can be reduced with a bilateral distance of < 2.85 cm and a posterior distance of < 0.81 cm from the MSP, and so can bleeding by vascular ligation between the SV and the ampulla of the deferent duct.

Biopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate ; blood supply ; innervation ; Seminal Vesicles ; blood supply ; innervation ; Vas Deferens ; blood supply ; innervation

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the key angiogenins which can increase microvascular permeability and promote endothelial cell migration, proliferation and tube formation. This paper reviews the location of VEGF in the prostate, testicular and epididymis tissues, the modulation of VEGF expression, and the relationship between VEGF-induced angiogenesis changes and some diseases in the male reproduction system.
Humans ; Male ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; Prostate ; blood supply ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; physiopathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood supply ; Testis ; blood supply ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the microcirculation changes in the ventral prostates of rats after castration and the role of microcirculation during the apoptosis of prostatic cells.

METHODSThirty-six male adult rats were randomized to 6 groups: one was taken as the control, while the other 5 underwent measurement of the microcirculation in vivo by a D95 physiological signal acquisition system 12 h, 24 h, 72 h, 7 d and 14 d respectively after castration, and then were perfused with Chinese ink to trace the microvessels of the prostates.

RESULTSThe microcirculation of the rats'prostates changed dramatically following castration. The diameter and density of the microvessels, especially in the distant and mediate ducts of the prostates, decreased dramatically, and so did the bloodflow velocity.

CONCLUSIONThe microcirculation plays a role during the process of apoptosis of prostatic cells, and might be the mechanism of " apoptosis shift".

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; blood supply ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: Prostate cancer is the most frequent cancer in men in Europe. A major focus in urology is the identification of new biomarkers with improved accuracy in patients with low-risk prostate cancer. Here, we evaluated two-dimensional neovascular complexity in prostate tumor and nontumor biopsy cores by use of a computer-aided image analysis system and assessed the correlations between the results and selected clinical and pathological parameters of prostate carcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 280 prostate biopsy sections from a homogeneous series of 70 patients with low-risk prostate cancer (Gleason score 3+3, prostate-specific antigen [PSA]<10 ng/mL, and clinical stage T1c) who underwent systematic biopsy sampling and subsequent radical prostatectomy were analyzed. For each biopsy, 2-microm sections were treated with CD34 antibodies and were digitized by using an image analysis system that automatically estimates the surface fractal dimension. RESULTS: Our results showed that biopsy sections without cancer were significantly more vascularized than were tumors. No correlations were found between the vascular surface fractal dimension and patient's age, PSA and free-to-total PSA ratios, pathological stage, Gleason score, tumor volume, vascular invasion, capsular penetration, surgical margins, and biochemical recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The value of angiogenesis in prostate cancer is still controversial. Our findings suggest that low-risk prostate cancer tissues are less vascularized than are nontumor tissues. Further studies are necessary to understand whether angiogenesis is a hallmark of intermediate- and high-risk prostate cancer.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Needle ; Fractals ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/methods ; Kallikreins/blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/*pathology ; Prostate/*blood supply ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms/*blood supply/pathology/surgery ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy and safety of prostatic arterial embolization (PAE) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH) in high-risk aged males.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data about 21 high-risk BPH patients aged 77-91 (mean 80) years treated by PAE.

RESULTSPAE was successfully performed in all the 21 patients, with the operation time of 90-120 min. At 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery, the International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSS) were 18.3 ± 3.1, 9.8 ± 2.7, 9.4 ± 2.5, and 10.1 ± 2.2, the quality of life scores ( QOL) were 4.6 ± 1.4, 4.3 ± 1.2, 4.6 ± 1.1, and 4.9 ± 0.6, the maximum urinary flow rates ( Qmax) were (12.5 ± 2.5), (15.8 ± 2.4), (16.6 ± 2.2), and (16.3 ± 1.8) ml/s, and the postvoid residual urine volumes (PVR) were (35.0 ± 3.4), (13.0 ± 3.3), (10.0 ± 3.0), and (8.0 ± 2.5) ml, respectively, markedly improved as compared with the baseline (IPSS: 24.5 ± 3.7, QOL: 5.7 ± 1.6, Qmax: [8.3 ± 2.1] ml/s, and PVR: [98.0 ± 11.0] ml), with statistically significant differences in IPSS, QOL, Qmax, and PVR (all P < 0.05). The maximal velocity of blood flow in the prostate was obviously decreased and the prostate volumes were (74.4 ± 4.8), (42.5 ± 4.4), (38.3 ± 4.0), and (36.7 ± 3.5) cm3 at 2 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively, also significantly reduced in comparison with (84.3 ± 5.4) cm3 preoperatively (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPAE is a safe and effective option for the treatment of BPH in high-risk aged males.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Arteries ; Blood Flow Velocity ; Embolization, Therapeutic ; methods ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate ; blood supply ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; therapy ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urination

OBJECTIVETo discuss the value of grey scale ultrasonography and color Doppler of bi-planar transrectal ultrasound on the diagnosis of hyperplasia prostate gland (HPG).

METHODSOne hundred and ninety-two patients with HPG and 50 control subjects underwent abdominal ultrasound and TRUS examinations. The width (W), depth (D) and length (L) of the prostates and transitional zones were respectively measured. Each transitional zone index (TZI), i.e., the ratio of the transitional zone volume to the total prostate volume was calculated. Meanwhile, we observed the blood flow distribution in the prostates, calculated the parameters of hemodynamics such as peak systolic velocity (PSV), resistance index (RI) and pulse index (PI), and analyzed their correlations with TZI.

RESULTSThe revealing rates of cystic formation, calcium calculus and ejaculatory cyst and PSV, RI of arterial vessels in HPG were all significantly higher in the HPG patients than in the control subjects, and the revealing rates of all the above pathological changes but calcium calculus by TRUS were significantly higher than by abdominal examination. TZI of HPG was positively correlated with PSV, RI and PI.

CONCLUSIONBi-planar TRUS can clearly display the normal and pathological structure of the prostate. And PSV, RI and PI may aid in the diagnosis of HPG and the assessment of the degree of prostatic proliferation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Regional Blood Flow ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; methods

OBJECTIVETo analyze and evaluate the characteristics of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on contrast-enhanced ultrasound.

METHODSForty-eight BPH patients confirmed by transrectal ultrasound-guided biopsy underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Contrast pulse sequencing technique (CPS) and quantitative software-ACQ were used, and the parameters of beginning enhancement time, disappearing and transit time and peak intensity (PI) of the inner gland and outer gland were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSThe prostate was rich with blood and enhanced significantly on contrast-enhanced ultrasound. The beginning enhancement time of the prostatic inner gland, especially the area around the urethra, was much earlier than that of the outer gland, (26.68 +/- 3.76) and (31.24 +/- 5.33) s, respectively (P = 0.000). The contrast disappeared later in the inner gland than in the outer gland, (200.68 +/- 59.40) and (157.56 +/- 50.66) s, respectively (P = 0.000). The transit time of the contrast in the inner gland was much longer than in the outer gland, (173.94 +/- 60.14) and (129.21 +/- 56.91) s, respectively (P = 0.000). PI of the inner gland was much higher than that of the outer gland, (90.45 +/- 42.19) and (65.32 +/- 25.15) dB, respectively (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONContrast-enhanced ultrasound makes it possible to continuously observe the blood perfusion process of BPH, and promises to be an effective means for observing the blood supply in BPH.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; blood supply ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; diagnostic imaging ; Regional Blood Flow ; Reproducibility of Results ; Ultrasonography ; methods

OBJECTIVE: To help preserve accessory pudendal arteries (APAs) and to ensure optimal postoperative sexual function after a laparoscopic or robot-assisted radical prostatectomy, we have evaluated the incidence of APAs as detected on multidetector-row CT (MDCT) angiography and have provided a detailed anatomical description. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The distribution of APAs was evaluated in 121 consecutive male patients between February 2006 and July 2007 who underwent 64-channel MDCT angiography of the lower extremities. We defined an APA as any artery located within the periprostatic region running parallel to the dorsal vascular complex. We also subclassified APAs into lateral and apical APAs. Two radiologists retrospectively evaluated the origin, course and number of APAs; the final APA subclassification based on MDCT angiography source data was determined by consensus. RESULTS: We identified 44 APAs in 36 of 121 patients (30%). Two distinct varieties of APAs were identified. Thirty-three APAs (75%) coursed near the anterolateral region of the prostatic apex, termed apical APAs. The remaining 11 APAs (25%) coursed along the lateral aspect of the prostate, termed lateral APAs. All APAs originated from the internal obturator artery and iliac artery or a branch of the iliac artery such as the inferior vesical artery. The majority of apical APAs arose from the internal obturator artery (84%). Seven patients (19%) had multiple APAs. CONCLUSION: APAs are more frequently detected by the use of MDCT angiography than as suggested by previous surgical studies. The identification of APAs on MDCT angiography may provide useful information for the surgical preservation of APAs during a laparoscopic or robot-assisted radical prostatectomy.
Aged ; Angiography/*methods ; Arteries/*abnormalities ; Humans ; Incidence ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate/*blood supply ; Prostatectomy/*methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Robotics ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/*methods

OBJECTIVECastrated rats exhibit significant shrinkage of the ventral prostate and apoptosis of prostatic cells, which can be attributed to the reduced blood supply to the prostate. But what causes the blood decrease in the prostate remains unknown. This study aims to explore the molecular mechanism of the changes in the microcirculation of the ventral prostate of rats following castration.

METHODSWe randomized 24 male adult rats into 6 groups of equal number, and collected their ventral prostates at 0, 1/2, 1, 2, 3 and 7 d, respectively, after castration. Then we observed the changes of the microvessels under the transmission electron microscope, detected the apoptosis of endothelial cells by TUNEL, and determined the expressions of VEGF, endostatin, angiostatin and angiopoietin-2 by Western blot.

RESULTSThe castrated rats showed dramatic changes in the microvessels of the ventral prostate, obvious apoptosis of the endothelial cells, down-regulated expression of VEGF, and up-regulated expressions of endostatin and angiostatin, while angiopoietin-2 remained unchanged.

CONCLUSIONThe decreased level of VEGF and increased levels of endostatin and angiostatin might underlie the mechanism of the changes in the microcirculation of the ventral prostate of rats following castration.

Angiopoietin-2 ; metabolism ; Angiostatins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Endostatins ; metabolism ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Male ; Microcirculation ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; blood supply ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Objective: To observe the synergistic effect of Qilan Capsules in the treatment of the patient with Qi-deficiency blood-stasis type of prostate cancer receiving androgen-deprivation therapy after castration. METHODS: This randomized controlled double-blind study included 246 cases of Qi-deficiency blood-stasis type of prostate cancer after castration, which were randomly divided into an experiment and a control group of equal number to be treated with Qilan Capsules + androgen-deprivation and placebo + androgen-deprivation, respectively. After 6 months of treatment, we compared the International Prostate Symptoms Scores (IPSS), TCM Symptoms Scores (TCMSS), maximal urine flow rate (Qmax), and the level of serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) between the two groups of patients. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed between the experiment and control groups in the syndrome classification-based efficacy (87.7% vs 67.9%, P <0.05) and total effectiveness rate (86.0% vs 71.6%, P <0.05). Compared with the baseline, the experiment group showed remarkable improvement after treatment in TCMSS (17.1±5.1 vs 8.3±4.0, P <0.05), IPSS (17.7±7.5 vs 11.4±4.6, P <0.05), and Qmax (［10.9±4.3］ ml/s vs ［14.7±3.7］ ml/s, P <0.05), and so did the control group (16.8±5.2 vs 11.5±5.2, 17.8±6.7 vs 14.6±5.8, and ［11.0±4.3］ ml/s vs ［12.0±4.1］ ml/s, P <0.05). The above three parameters were even more markedly improved in the former than in the latter group (P <0.05). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the improvement of the PSA level after treatment (P >0.05). CONCLUSIONS Qilan Capsules can significantly enhance the effect of androgen-deprivation therapy in the treatment of Qi-deficiency blood-stasis type of prostate cancer after castration though cannot obviously improve the PSA level.
Androgen Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Capsules ; Double-Blind Method ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; blood ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; blood ; blood supply ; surgery ; Qi ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome