Even though the ischemic change induced by the testicular torsion has been studied extensively, there is a few available information about the prevention or reduction of testicular injury during vascular insufficiency. We studied the effect of hypothermia on prevention of the ischemia-induced damage and the effect of hyperthermia on the recovery of the damage during re-perfusion of blood after ischemia ended. The four groups of Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to varying duration of bilateral testicular ischemia. In the first group, both testes underwent ischemia for 2, 4 and 6 hours at room temperature. The second group underwent ischemia for 30 minutes at room temperature and then for 1.5. 3.5 and 5.5 hours at 4 degrees C ice bath. In the third group, testes underwent the procedure described in the first group and then were immersed in 41 degrees C water for 30 minutes during re-perfusion of blood. The fourth group underwent the procedure described in the second group and then were immersed in 41 degrees C water for 30 minutes during re-perfusion of blood. Bilateral orchiectomy was performed after lapse of 2 weeks. Histology of testes of all groups was compared. Neither group revealed significant destruction of germinal epithelium after two hours of ischemia. However, the preservation rates of germinal epithelium in the first group were 25% and 8.3% at four and six hours or ischemia, when compared with the control group, which were statistically significant(p<0.05). In contrast, the rates of the second group which received hypothgmia were 87.5% at four hours 85.4% at six hours of ischemia. Comparing the first group with the fourth group (hyperthermia) and the second group with the fourth group(hyperthermia), authors could not find any statistical significance(p>0.05). In conclusion, when ischemia was induced by testicular torsion. the damage of testicular tissue could be prevented or arrested to a certain degree by external ice application. However, it might be proposed that hyperthermia did not enhance the recovery of the damaged testes after re-perfusion of blood.
Baths ; Epithelium ; Fever* ; Hypothermia* ; Ice ; Ischemia ; Orchiectomy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; Testis ; Water

PURPOSE: bcl-2 and p53 are known to act as a regulator of apoptosis in prostatic cancer and we evaluated the significance of these gene expressions and correlation with prognostic factors in prostatic cancer MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-five formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples of histologically confirmed prostatic cancer, examined using immunohistochemical staining for the two gene products and the expression related to the grade and stage. RESULTS: We found that positive staining for bel-2 was 46.7%(21/45) and p53 was 31.8%(17/45). As compared to the Gleason grade, positive staining for bel-2 and p53 was 14.3%(2/14), 7.1%(1/14) at low grade, 40.0%(6/15), 40.0% (6/15) at intermediate grade, 81.3%(13/16), 62.5%(10/16) at high grade, respectively. It was significant difference(p<0.05). And, as compared to the stage, positive staining for bel-2 and p53 was 0%(0/7), 0%(0/7) at stage A, 33.3%(4/12), 16.7%(2/12) at stage B, 54.5%(6/11), 45.5%(5/11) at stage C, 73.3%(11/15), 66.7%(10/l5) at stage D, respectively. It was significant difference (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bcl-2 and p53 expression are associated with the grade and stage of prostatic cancer, and to use them as the prognostic factor of prostatic canecr, further study is needed at the molecular level.
Apoptosis ; Gene Expression ; Prostatic Neoplasms*

In this study, in order to obtain physiologic synthesis of testosterone in primary or secondary gonadal insufficiency by Leydig cells transplantation, newborn rat testis tissues were transplantated in castrated male rat. The rats were castrated about 5-6 weeks after birth and were observed for 10 days. At this time, testes were removed from a one-day-old rat and these were transplanted onto the bilateral renal subcapsular lesions of the castrated rats under an operative microscope. Of the 27 rats that were castrated, testis transplantation was possible in 24 rats. The 24 transplanted rats which managed to survive were divided into three groups of 8 rats according to the different time in which blood samplings were to be done, at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 6 weeks. After the blood samplings, nephrectomy of the testis transplanted kidney was done. Among the 2 weeks group, one rat died during the experiment and one rat had the transplanted testis unilaterally. Among the 4 weeks and 6 weeks group, 2 rats died from each group, and in the rest 6 rats, the transplanted testes remained in both kidneys. The serum testosterone levels of transplanted group at 2, 4, 6 weeks, the control group of 2 weeks after the castration, and the normal mature rat(about 10 weeks old) showed significant difference(p= 0.001). However, the serum testosterone levels of the transplanted group for 2 weeks and the control group of 2 weeks showed no difference(p= 0.665). The serum testosterone levels of the transplanted group for 4 weeks and 6 weeks did not reach the level of the control group at 4 weeks and 6 weeks(p= 0.020 and 0.030), but their increase was definite. The differences in the Leydig cells of the control group and the transplanted group were observed, and in the control group, the development of the Leydig cells were nonspecific as compared to the somewhat hyperplastic findings in the transplanted group. The morphologic differences of the Leydig cells between these two groups were difficult to be found under an light microscope. In order to classify Leydig cells according to the developmental stage and to understand the functional aspects, the followings are needed to be studied further: the ultrastructural analysis of the Leydig cells; the interactions and changes between Leydig cells and other cells in the testis tissue; measurements of the receptors of the various sex hormones. These studies are thought to be contributory to the in vitro culture of Leydig cells as well as to the clinical applications of the testis transplantation.
Animals ; Castration ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; Gonads ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Kidney ; Leydig Cells* ; Male ; Male* ; Nephrectomy ; Parturition ; Rats* ; Testis* ; Testosterone* ; Transplantation

PURPOSE: Metastatic prostatic adenocarcinoma can be controlled by androgen ablation through the active process of programmed cell death in androgen responsive cells. However, about 20-30% of patients have no clinical response to androgen withdrawal. Because of the importance of apoptosis in effecting tumor control, factors involved in this process may be helpful in predicting androgen insensitivity. So, we evaluated the significance of bcl-2 protooncogene expression pattern with therapeutic response of prostatic cancer MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the cellular expression of bel-2 protein using immunohistochemical stain in tumor samples from 40 patients with metastatic prostatic cancer(stage D) and determined whether expression of blc-2 protein has related to the therapeutic response of prostatic cancer. RESULTS: The hormonal status of the patient's tumor was determined by the clinical response to therapy. Androgen independent cancer was defined as that subset of patients who experienced no initial response to androgen ablation, or who experienced disease relapse following an initial response to androgen ablation. So, we found that androgen dependent prostatic cancer was 22 patients and androgen independent prostatic cancer was 18 patients. The positive staining for bcl-2 was 27.3%(6/22) and 83.3%(15/18) in androgen dependent and independent prostatic cancer, respectively. It was significant difference(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that bcl-2 expression is associated with androgen independent prostatic cancer and used one of the factors to predict which patient with prostatic cancer will respond to androgen ablation.
Adenocarcinoma ; Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; Humans ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; Recurrence

Ovaries lie near the distal ureter where extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) of calculi is performed. The question whether ESWL may induce morphological changes in ovary should be investigated in animal experiments. After applying shock waves to ovary of Sprague Dawley female rat, the histopathologic changes within the tissue of ovary were observed immediately after shock waves and after recovery. For animal subjects, 25 healthy rats weighing about 250 grams each were used. Five rats were designated as control, and remaining 20 received shock waves at 20 kV for 1,000 times using Pendulum-ESWL (Lithoring), a third generation lithotriptor. The 20 rats were divided into 4 groups before shock waves, and each group was sacrificed after 1, 7, 14, and 28 days, respectively, in order to compare the observed histopathologic changes. Edema, congestion and hemorrhage were observed in ovary after 1 and 7 days of shock waves, but the edema and congestion were significantly reduced on the 14th day and completely disappeared on the 28th day. There was no ovarian follicular changes or fibrosis on the whole. It is thought that the extracorporeal shock waves have no specific effects on the tissues of ovary, but further studies ate needed to determine its long term effects.
Animal Experimentation ; Animals ; Calculi ; Edema ; Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Lithotripsy ; Ovary* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley* ; Shock* ; Ureter

PURPOSE: Today, many patients with voiding dysfunction select suprapubic cystostomy (SPC) instead of clean intermittent catheterization (CIC) for practical reasons. There is thus a need to reconsider SPC as a management for voiding dysfunction. We designed SPC with timed drainage (TSPCD) and evaluated its effectiveness compared with continuous drainage with a urine bag (CSPCD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 2006 and January 2010, a total of 82 patients underwent SPC. Patients undergoing SPC were randomly assigned to CSPCD or TSPCD. Patient characteristics, complications, and the results of urine cultures were compared between the two groups through retrospective chart reviews. Also, preferences for CSPCD and TSPCD in another 15 patients who had experienced both CSPCD and TSPCD were investigated. RESULTS: The CSPCD and TSPCD groups comprised 46 and 36 patients, respectively. In a comparison of complications between the two groups, the incidence of acute symptomatic cystitis was significantly lower in the TSPCD group than in the CSPCD group (43% vs. 20%, p=0.032). The incidence of symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) was lower in the TSPCD group. Positive urine culture rates were 89.7% and 72.4% in groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was a significant difference between the two groups (p=0.004). In another 15 patients who experienced both CSPCD and TSPCD, 14 patients (93%) stated a preference for TSPCD after converting from CSPCD to TSPCD, and one patient (7%) returned to CSPCD only at night. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, TSPCD had the advantages of less morbidity as UTI and being more preferable by patients with relatively good daily activity compared with CSPCD. TSPCD is an alternative to CSPCD for the treatment of voiding dysfunction.
Cystitis ; Cystostomy ; Drainage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intermittent Urethral Catheterization ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Tract Infections

PURPOSE: The role of growth hormone in the tumor-bearing host is controversial because of its potential to stimulate tumor growth. So, this study was done to determine the effects of growth hormone on primary tumor growth and body weight change in tumor-bearing animals receiving either high protein or protein-depleted diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumors were induced in nude mice by subcutaneous injection of 1x106/ml PC-3 cells. Nude mice were fed with high protein diet at the time of tumor cell injection. Six weeks later, after measurable tumors were formed, the animals were randomized to receive either high protein diet(20.0% protein) or protein-depleted diet(0.04% protein). Animals in each dietary group were randomized to receive daily subcutaneous injections of either growth hormone(1,000 mU/kg) or placebo(normal saline) for 2 weeks. After then, animals were sacrificed by carbon dioxide inhalation, and, subsequently body weight and tumor volume were measured. RESULTS: At the end of the experiment, the body weights of group I(protein depleted diet+ormal saline) and II(protein depleted diet+growth hormone) were checked at 22.6+/-1.9 g and 24.9+/-1.6 g, respectively. But the body weights of group III(high protein diet+normal saline) and IV(high protein diet+growth hormone) increased to 32.5+/-1.2 g and 36.9+/-1.5 g, respectively. So in high protein diet group, body weight increases were observed and, in group which also had subcutaneous injections of growth hormone, the increases were more prominent. At the end of experiment, the tumor volumes of group I, II, III, and IV were checked at 0.88+/-0.02 cm3, 0.89+/-0.03 cm3, 1.31+/-0.02 cm3, and 1.30+/-0.02 cm3, respectively. So high protein diet group demonstrated large tumor volume increases, but there were no significant differences compared with group that also had subcutaneous injections of growth hormone, which implies growth hormone itself didn`t have large effect on tumor volume change. And, the ratios of tumor volume to body weight assessed at the end of experiment proved to be 3.94+/-0.33 %, 3.60+/-0.26 %, 3.89+/-0.08 %, and 3.54+/-0.18 % for group I, II, III, and IV, respectively which is showing no significant differences among them. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the growth hormone dose not accelerate the growth of tumor volume in nude mice bearing prostatic cancer. Thus simultaneous treatment of growth hormone and high protein diet may improve the performance status without accelerating the growth of tumor volume in patients with advanced prostatic cancer.
Animals ; Body Weight Changes* ; Body Weight* ; Carbon Dioxide ; Diet* ; Growth Hormone* ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Mice ; Mice, Nude* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Tumor Burden

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate an immunoassay for urinary nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) as an indicator for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups of subjects attended the trial of NMP22. First group was 27 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, second group was 24 patients with other urinary cancer consisted of prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma, and third group was 24 healthy volunteers. NMP22 was determined using a commercial test kit, which is based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In normal healthy volunteers and other urinary cancer group median NMP22 levels were 2.24 and 3.27 U/ml, respectively. Median urinary NMP22 levels in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were 54.30 U/ml. It was significantly greater than other two groups. Median NMP22 levels according to the tumor stage and the tumor grade did not show the significant difference statistically. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary NMP22 is a useful marker that is more specific for bladder cancer thsn for other urinary cancer. Further tests are required to clarify the influence of other spe- cific conditions, such as urinary tract infection, and intravesical drug instillation or procedure.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Instillation, Drug ; Nuclear Matrix* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Tract Infections

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and benign prostatic hyperplasia in Korean men, we investigated the relation between prostate volume and the serum prostate specific-antigen (PSA) level with the factors for metabolic syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data of 1,412 men who had a general health check-up without significant evidence of disease between January 2004 and May 2007. The age, prostate volume, PSA, PSA density and metabolic factors were measured, and the relationships of these factors were evaluated. We also compared the prostate-related data between the metabolic syndrome(MS) group and non-metabolic syndrome(NMS) group. RESULTS: The prostate volume was significantly larger in the MS group (23.0+/-7.1ml) than that in the NMS group(20.9+/-6.1ml)(p<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference of the PSA level between the two groups(MS group: 0.86+/-0.66, NMS group: 0.90+/-0.81), but the PSAD was significantly different between the two groups(MS group: 0.038+/-0.027, NMS group: 0.044+/-0.031)(p=0.0035). We concluded that there was a significant correlation between the prostate volume and the metabolic syndrome factors. However, when analyzing the influence of each metabolic syndrome factor on the prostate volume, only the BMI was a relatively influential factor. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed that there was significant correlation between each metabolic syndrome factor and the prostate volume. This seemed to be the result of the commonly related pathophysiology of MS and an enlarged prostrate volume, and obesity was a significant factor. It was meaningful that the PSA level in the MS group was lower than that of the NMS group in case of the same prostate volume.
Male ; Humans

Penile metastases are rare, and usually secondary to other genitourinary primary tumors. Bladder, prostate and renal tumors are the main sources of penile metastasis. Rectal and respiratory neoplasms also metastasize to the penis. However, metastatic penile cancer originating from the pancreas is extremely rare. Here, a case of pancreatic cancer, with penile metastasis, is reported.
Male ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pancreas* ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; Penile Neoplasms* ; Penis ; Prostate ; Urinary Bladder