OBJECTIVETo compare the outcomes of the three microsurgical strategies, inguinal high ligation (IHL), retroperitoneal high ligation (RHL) and low ligation (LL) of internal spermatic veins, in the treatment of varicocele.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 120 cases of varicocele, which were equally divided into groups I , II and III to be treated by IHL, RHL and LL of internal spermatic veins, respectively. We compared the operation times, post-operative complications, recurrence rates and results of pre- and post-operation semen analysis among the three groups.

RESULTSThe mean operation time was significantly longer in group III ( [55 +/- 6 ] min) than in I ([35 +/- 10] min) and II ([42 +/- 12] min) (P<0.05), while the rate of post-operative complications remarkably higher in group I (4 cases of hydrocele [10% ] and 3 cases of epididymitis [7.5%]) than in II (2 cases of hydrocele [5%] and 2 cases of epididymitis [5%]) and III (1 case of hydrocele [2.5%] and 1 case of epididymitis [2.5%]) (P<0.05). Six to 12 (mean 9) months of follow-up visit found 2 cases (5% ) of recurrence in group I, 1 case (2.5%) in group II and none in group III, with no statistically significant difference among the three groups (P>0.05). At 12 months after surgery, group III showed significantly higher sperm concentration, grade a +b sperm and the sperm motility than the other two (P<0.05), but no significant differences were observed in these parameters among the three groups preoperatively.

CONCLUSIONAs a microsurgical approach to the treatment of varicocele, LL is better than IHL and RHL of internal spermatic veins in improving the seminal parameters of the patients.

Humans ; Ligation ; Male ; Microsurgery ; adverse effects ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male ; adverse effects ; methods ; Varicocele ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of nNOS and ultrastructural changes in the penile tissue of rats with prolactinoma-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSWe established the model of prolactinoma in 20 male Westar rats by peritoneal injection of diethylstilbestrol (DES) and treated the control rats with normal saline (n = 10) or sterilized arachis oil (n = 10). After 8 weeks, we performed the apomorphine test and measured the weight of the pituitary gland and the levels of serum prolactin (PRL) and testosterone (T) to confirm the successful construction of the prolactinoma-induced ED model. Then we determined the expression of nNOS in the penile tissue by immunohistochemistry and examined the ultrastructural changes of the penile cavernosum under the transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSThe prolactinoma-induced ED model was successfully established in 15 rats. The weight of the pituitary gland was significantly increased in the rats treated with DES as compared with the normal saline and sterilized arachis oil controls ([46.7 ± 15.5] vs [11.7 ± 2.4] and [12.4 ± 2.3] mg, both P < 0.05). The level of serum PRL was markedly higher while that of T remarkably lower in the former than in the latter two groups ([1,744.9 ± 304.5] vs [11.5 ± 2.4] and [10.6 ± 1.9] ng/ml, both P < 0.0l; [1.54 ± 0.46] vs [3.11 ± 1.08] and [3.04 ± 1.11] ng/ml, both P < 0.05). The rate of penile erection was significantly reduced in the prolactinoma-induced ED model rats in comparison with the normal saline and arachis oil controls (16.7% vs 100% and 87.5%, both P < 0.05), and so was the expression of nNOS in the penile tissue (0.024 ± 0.011 vs 0.066 ± 0.019 and 0.058 ± 0.021, both P < 0.05). Transmission electron microscopy manifested significant ultrastructural changes in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells of the cavernous tissue in the prolactinoma-induced ED models.

CONCLUSIONThe ultrastructural changes of the penile cavernous tissue and the reduced expression of nNOS in penile tissue may be the most important mechanisms of prolactinoma-induced ED in rats.

Animals ; Apomorphine ; Carcinogens ; Diethylstilbestrol ; Erectile Dysfunction ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; ultrastructure ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I ; metabolism ; Organ Size ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; enzymology ; ultrastructure ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; chemically induced ; complications ; Prolactin ; blood ; Prolactinoma ; chemically induced ; complications ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVEChronic prostatitis (CP) is a common disease in adult males. Oxidative stress injury has been found to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of CP in recent studies. This study aimed to determine the contents of CuZn-super oxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the serum and EPS in CP patients and healthy men, and investigate their significance in the diagnosis and treatment of the CP.

METHODSA total of 120 out-patients with confirmed CP were equally divided into a type II, a type IIIA and a type IIIB group, and another 40 healthy males were included as controls. We determined the contents of CuZn-SOD and MDA in the serum and EPS of each group and compared their differences.

RESULTSNo significant differences were found in the serum CuZn-SOD content among the four groups (P > 0.05). The MDA contents were markedly higher in the CP groups than in the control (P < 0.01), but with no significant differences among the three CP groups (P > 0.05). The CuZn-SOD contents in EPS were remarkably lower in the type II and type III A than in the type III B and control groups (P < 0.01), but with no significant differences between the type II and type III A as well as between the type III B and control groups (P > 0.05). The MDA contents in EPS were markedly higher in the type II and type III A than in the type III B and control groups (P < 0.01), but with no significant differences between the type II and type III A as well as the type III B and control groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONOxidative stress is stronger in type II and type III A CP patients than in healthy men, but has no significant difference between type III B patients and non-CP males. Determining the contents of CuZn-SOD and MDA in the serum and EPS could be very valuable for the diagnosis and assessment of chronic prostatitis.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Prostatitis ; blood ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk factors of prostate cancer in urban Qingdao and provide some theoretical evidence for the scientific prevention and treatment of the disease.

METHODSWe performed a hospital-based matched case-control study in Qingdao Municipal Hospital. The cases and controls were matched in age, gender, nationality and the place of residence. All the subjects were interviewed face to face in the hospital using a questionnaire, and the data analyzed by the conditional logistic regression method.

RESULTSAccording to the 258 valid questionnaires collected, the prostate cancer risk was significantly higher in the cases with a family history of cancer than in those without (OR = 2.58), and so was it in the men with the first spermatorrhea at the age of < or = 15 years than in those at the age of > or = 18 years (OR = 2.27). A decreased risk of prostate cancer was found among the men with the first experience of sexual intercourse between 25 to 30 years of age (OR = 0.76). An increased risk was shown in those with sexual intercourses > or = 4 times per week before 35 years old (OR = 2.57), masturbations > or = 3 times per week (OR = 2.30) and a drinking history (alcohol > or = 150 g/d) of > or = 10 years (OR = 2.83).

CONCLUSIONPositive family history of cancer, earlier age of the first spermatorrhea, sexual intercourses > or = 4 times per week before 35 years old, frequent masturbations, and heavy drinking for more than 10 years are risk factors for prostate cancer.

Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; Risk Factors ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of tea polyphenols on the proliferation of human prostate cancer cells and its possible mechanism.

METHODSWe cultured androgen-independent prostate cancer DU145 cells in the medium with different concentrations (50, 100, 250 and 500 microg/ml) of tea polyphenols, and those in the normal medium as the control. After 48 hours of culture, we detected the survival rate of the cells by MTT assay and determined the expression of survivin by Western blot and quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSAt 48 hours, the survival rates of the prostate cancer DU145 cells were 0.97 +/- 0.12, 0.71 +/- 0.07, 0.20 +/- 0.03 and 0.08 +/- 0.01 in the 50, 100, 250 and 500 microg/ml tea polyphenols treatment groups, all significantly reduced as compared with the control group (P < 0.01) except that of the 50 microg/ml group (P = 0.42). Furthermore, the survival rate continued to decrease with the prolonging of time, dropping below 5% at 96 hours except in the 50 microg/ml group. The grey values of the survivin expression in the 100, 250 and 500 microg/ml tea polyphenols groups were 13 425 +/- 34, 2 017 +/- 24 and 1 274 +/- 22, respectively, at 48 hours, significantly lower than 15 075 +/- 48 in the control group (P < 0.01). Moreover, the content of survivin mRNA at 48 hours was markedly lower in the 50, 100, 250 and 500 microg/ml treatment groups (0.74 +/- 0.03, 0.64 +/- 0.02, 0.52 +/- 0.01 and 0.21 +/- 0.02) than in the control (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONTea polyphenols can inhibit the proliferation of human prostate cancer DU145 cells, which may be associated with the decreased expression of the survivin gene.

Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Polyphenols ; pharmacology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; pathology ; Tea ; chemistry

OBJECTIVESTo compare the efficacy of transurethral electrovaporization of prostate (TUVP) with transurethral resection of prostate (TURP).

METHODS206 patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) whose prostatic sizes were all less than 60 grams were randomly divided into two groups. 97 cases were treated by TUVP while the other 109 cases were treated by TURP. The patients who underwent either TUVP or TURP were followed up for 12-34 months with an average of 20 months postoperatively.

RESULTSBoth groups showed the significant decline in the mean IPSS (international prostatic symptom score) (P < 0.01), the mean PVR (Postovoiding Residual Volume) (P < 0.01), while increase in mean Qmax (Peak uroflow rate) (P < 0.01) in 12 months, 24 months after the operation. There were significant differences in the mean duration of operation or catheterization postoperatively (P < 0.05). The main complications of post-operation in the two groups were stress incontinence, TUR syndrome, urethral stricture, secondary bleeding.

CONCLUSIONSBoth TUVP and TURP are effective treatment for the patient with BPH whose prostatic size is less than 60 grams. TUVP spends shorter time of the operation and postoperative catheterization than that of TURP.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Electrosurgery ; methods ; Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Complications ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Urethral Stricture ; etiology ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress ; etiology