PURPOSE: The treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS) is based on antibiotic therapy, but many patients experience a relapse after treatment. Cranberry juice is known for its roles in both the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of cranberry juice in the prevention of a relapse after the treatment of CPPS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients, diagnosed as CPPS (National Institutes of Health; NIH-catagory IIIa), were included in this study. All the patients had initially been treated with levofloxacin and supportive treatment for 8-12 weeks. After completion of the initial treatment, 26 volunteer patients were recommended to drink 150ml of cranberry juice twice a day, 24 patients, as a control group, received no cranberry juice and all the patients re-evaluated after 3 months. RESULTS: On initial diagnosis, the white blood cell (WBC) count in the high power field (HFP) of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) in cranberry group were 18.2 3.4 and 23.1 4.4 and those of the control group 16.4 4.8 and 22.4 3.7, respectively. When the medical treatment was ended, the WBC of the EPS and NIH-CPSI in the cranberry group were 2.5 2.1 and 14.1 4.1, and those of the control group were 2.7 1.9 and 13.7 2.1, respectively. After the three month follow-up, the cranberry group showed a WBC of 2.2 2.5 in the EPS and a NIH-CPSI of 12.7 3.9, a slight decrease or similar result compared to the treatment completion period. No patient showed aggravation of symptoms after drinking cranberry juice, whereas five from the control group did. CONCLUSIONS: Cranberry juice showed an effect in the prevention of a relapse in CPPS patients, with no adverse effects.
Academies and Institutes ; Diagnosis ; Drinking ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukocytes ; Levofloxacin ; Pelvic Pain* ; Prostatitis ; Recurrence* ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vaccinium macrocarpon* ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: We evaluated the protective effects of cranberry, which is known as a fruit with anti-oxidative effects, on infection-induced oxidative renal damage with using a rabbit vesico-ureteral reflux (VUR) model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: New Zealand male rabbits were divided into 5 groups (the control group, VUR group, E. coli group, cranberry group and melatonin group). VUR was created and confirmed at 2 weeks after the operation. Infection was induced by intravesical instillation of an E. coli suspension. Cranberry powder was supplied with the feed. Melatonin was injected into the peritoneal cavity. The rabbit kidneys were obtained 3 weeks after the operation. Histopathologic examination was performed to evaluate for inflammation, fibrosis and the tubular change. The oxidative renal damage was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) in the renal tissue. RESULTS: Grossly, the refluxing kidney was larger than the contralateral normal kidney and the refluxing ureter was dilated and tortuous. The microscopic observation of the kidneys from the E. coli group showed apparent periglomerular mononuclear cell infiltration, tubular dilatation and atrophy, and interstitial fibrosis. The kidneys from the reflux group, cranberry group and melatonin group showed mild mononuclear cell infiltration without interstitial fibrosis. The MDA level in the kidneys of the E. coli group was significantly higher than that in the control, cranberry and melatonin groups (p<0.05). The MDA level in the cranberry and melatonin groups didn't significantly differ from that in the sterile group. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that cranberry has an anti-inflammatory effect due to an anti-oxidative function and it may prevent infection-induced oxidative renal damage. But application of cranberry in children with VUR needs more clinical studies.
Administration, Intravesical ; Atrophy ; Child ; Dilatation ; Fibrosis ; Fruit ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Kidney ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; Melatonin ; New Zealand ; Peritoneal Cavity ; Rabbits ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Ureter ; Vaccinium macrocarpon* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux*

Increased oxidative stress in obese diabetes may have causal effects on diabetic complications, including dyslipidemia. Lipopolysccharides (LPS) along with an atherogenic diet have been found to increase oxidative stress and insulin resistance. Cranberry has been recognized as having beneficial effects on diseases related to oxidative stress. Therefore, we employed obese diabetic animals treated with an atherogenic diet and LPS, with the aim of examining the effects of cranberry powder (CP) on diabetic related metabolic conditions, including lipid profiles, serum insulin and glucose, and biomarkers of oxidative stress. Forty C57BL/KsJ-db/db mice were divided into the following five groups: normal diet + saline, atherogenic diet + saline, atherogenic diet + LPS, atherogenic diet + 5% CP + LPS, and atherogenic diet + 10% CP + LPS. Consumption of an atherogenic diet resulted in elevation of serum total cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI) and reduction of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol. However, with 10% CP, the increase in mean HDL-cholesterol level was close to that of the group with a normal diet, whereas AI was maintained at a higher level than that of the group with a normal diet. LPS induced elevated serum insulin level was lowered by greater than 60% with CP (P < 0.05), and mean serum glucose level was reduced by approximately 19% with 5% CP (P > 0.05). Mean activity of liver cytosolic glutathione peroxidase was significantly increased by LPS injection, however it was reduced back to the value without LPS when the diet was fortified with 10% CP (P < 0.05). In groups with CP, a reduction in mean levels of serum protein carbonyl tended to occur in a dose dependent manner. Particularly with 10% CP, a reduction of approximately 89% was observed (P > 0.05). Overall results suggest that fortification of the atherogenic diet with CP may have potential health benefits for obese diabetes with high oxidative stress, by modulation of physical conditions, including some biomarkers of oxidative stress.
Animals ; Biomarkers* ; Blood Glucose ; Cholesterol ; Cytosol ; Diabetes Complications ; Diet ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Dyslipidemias ; Glucose* ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Insurance Benefits ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Mice* ; Oxidative Stress* ; Vaccinium macrocarpon*

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections affecting women. One in four of these women will develop a recurrence. Recurrent UTIs are common among otherwise healthy women with anatomically and physiologically normal urinary tracts. These conditions have a significant effect on their quality of life and have a considerable economic impact due to health care costs. This article will review risk factors predisposing pre- and postmenopausal women to recurrent UTIs, and discuss antimicrobial prophylaxis and other non-antimicrobial preventive measures, including modification of behavioral factors, estrogen, and cranberry products.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Antibiotic Prophylaxis ; Bacterial Infections ; Cystitis ; Estrogens ; Female ; Health Care Costs ; Humans ; Pyelonephritis ; Quality of Life ; Recurrence ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vaccinium macrocarpon

To revise the clinical guideline for childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs) of the Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology (2007), the recently updated guidelines and new data were reviewed. The major revisions are as follows. In diagnosis, the criterion for a positive culture of the catheterized or suprapubic aspirated urine is reduced to 50,000 colony forming uits (CFUs)/mL from 100,000 CFU/mL. Diagnosis is more confirmatory if the urinalysis is abnormal. In treating febrile UTI and pyelonephritis, oral antibiotics is considered to be as effective as parenteral antibiotics. In urologic imaging studies, the traditional aggressive approach to find primary vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) and renal scar is shifted to the targeted restrictive approach. A voiding cystourethrography is not routinely recommended and is indicated only in atypical or complex clinical conditions, abnormal ultrasonography and recurrent UTIs. 99mTc-DMSA renal scan is valuable in diagnosing pyelonephritis in children with negative culture or normal RBUS. Although it is not routinely recommended, normal scan can safely avoid VCUG. In prevention, a more natural approach is preferred. Antimicrobial prophylaxis is not supported any more even in children with VUR. Topical steroid (2-4 weeks) to non-retractile physiologic phimosis or labial adhesion is a reasonable first-line treatment. Urogenital hygiene is important and must be adequately performed. Breast milk, probiotics and cranberries are dietary factors to prevent UTIs. Voiding dysfunction and constipation should be properly treated and prevented by initiating toilet training at an appropriate age (18-24 months). The follow-up urine test on subsequent unexplained febrile illness is strongly recommended. Changes of this revision is not exclusive and appropriate variation still may be accepted.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Catheters ; Child ; Cicatrix ; Constipation ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Milk, Human ; Nephrology ; Phimosis ; Probiotics ; Pyelonephritis ; Technetium Tc 99m Dimercaptosuccinic Acid ; Toilet Training ; Ultrasonography ; Urinalysis ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vaccinium macrocarpon ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux

This study investigated the effects of freeze-dried cranberry powder on anti-inflammation and lipid profiles of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats fed an atherogenic diet for 6 weeks. Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (6-weeks-old) were equally divided into the following five groups: 1) normal diet group + saline (NC); 2) atherogenic diet + saline (HFC); 3) atherogenic diet + LPS (HL); 4) atherogenic diet with 5% cranberry power + LPS (C5); 5) atherogenic diet with 10% cranberry power + LPS (C10). LPS (0.5 mg/kg) was injected into the abdominal cavities of rats 18 hours prior to sacrifice. At the end of the experimental period, we measured serum lipid profiles as well as levels of serum C-reactive protein (CRP), nitric oxide (NO), and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, and IL-10 as an anti-inflammatory cytokine. The mean serum high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol level in C5 rats was significantly higher than that in NC and HL rats (P < 0.05). The mean serum levels of CRP and IL-1beta were significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the cranberry powder groups compared to those in HL rats. Additionally, mean serum IL-6 levels tended to be lower in the cranberry groups than that in the HL group, whereas serum IL-10 and NO showed 29% and 88% higher mean values in the C5 group and 49% and 24% higher in the C10 group than those in the HL group, respectively. These results suggest that freeze-dried cranberry powder may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular diseases by modifying serum lipids and the early inflammatory response.
Abdominal Cavity ; Animals ; C-Reactive Protein ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Humans ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; Rats ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Vaccinium macrocarpon

This study investigated that the antioxidative effect of freeze-dried cranberry powder against protein and lipid oxidation and ameliorative effect of serum lipid profile in rat fed atherogenic diet. Six weeks old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following four groups: normal diet group with 5% corn oil (control), atherogenic diet group with 5% corn oil, 10% lard, 1% cholesterol, and 0.5% sodium cholate (HFC), atherogenic plus 2% cranberry powder diet group (HFC + C2), and atherogenic plus 5% cranberry powder diet group (HFC + C5), and respective diet and water were fed daily for 6 weeks. After the experimental period, the serum lipid profile, such as total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), plasma phenolics content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, serum protein carbonyl and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) levels were examined. Total phenolic compound and total flavonoid levels in freeze-dried cranberry powder were 9.94 mg/g and 8.12 mg/g, respectively. Serum total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol levels were not significantly different for cranberry powder treatment, but serum HDL-cholesterol level was significantly increased in HFC + C5 group compared with HFC group. Plasma FRAP value tended to be increased by cranberry powder treatment though there was no significant difference. Plasma total phenol concentrations and SOD activities were not significantly different among all groups. Serum protein carbonyl and TBARS levels were significantly decreased in HFC + C5 group compared with HFC group. Overall results suggested that freeze-dried cranberry powder might have the serum lipid improving effect, as well as antioxidative effect demonstrated by its protective effect against protein and lipid oxidation.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Cholesterol ; Corn Oil ; Diet ; Diet, Atherogenic ; Dietary Fats ; Humans ; Male ; Oxidative Stress ; Phenol ; Plasma ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sodium Cholate ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Thiobarbiturates ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Vaccinium macrocarpon ; Water

Cranberry extract (CBE) rich in polyphenols are potent to delay paralysis induced by alleviating β-amyloid (Aβ) toxicity in C. elegans model of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In order to better apply CBE as an anti-AD agent efficiently, we sought to deterrmine whether preventive or therapeutic effect contributes more prominently toward CBE's anti-AD activity. As the level of Aβ toxicity and memory health are two major pathological parameters in AD, in the present study, we compared the effects of CBE on Aβ toxicity and memory health in the C. elegans AD model treated with preventive and therapeutic protocols. Our results revealed that CBE prominently showed the preventive efficacy, providing a basis for further investigation of these effects in mammals.
Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; psychology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; metabolism ; toxicity ; Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Dietary Supplements ; analysis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Fruit ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Memory ; drug effects ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Vaccinium macrocarpon ; chemistry

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common bacterial infection in women in general and in postmenopausal women in particular. Two groups of elderly women with recurrent UTI should be differentiated regarding age and general status: healthy, young postmenopausal women aged 50 to 70 years who are neither institutionalized or catheterized and elderly institutionalized women with or without a catheter. Bacteriuria occurs more often in elderly functionally impaired women, but in general it is asymptomatic. However, the risk factors associated with recurrent UTI in elderly women are not widely described. In a multivariate analysis it was found that urinary incontinence, a history of UTI before menopause, and nonsecretor status were strongly associated with recurrent UTI in young postmenopausal women. Another study described the incidence and risk factors of acute cystitis among nondiabetic and diabetic postmenopausal women. Independent predictors of infection included insulin-treated patients and a lifetime history of urinary infection. Borderline associations included a history of vaginal estrogen cream use in the past month, kidney stones, and asymptomatic bacteriuria at baseline. Another important factor in postmenopausal women is the potential role that estrogen deficiency plays in the development of bacteriuria. There are at least two studies showing a beneficial effect of estrogen in the management of recurrent bacteriuria in elderly women. One of these studies showed that vaginal estrogen cream reduced vaginal pH from 5.5+/-0.7 to 3.6+/-1.0, restored lactobacillus, and decreased new episodes of UTI. Another study reported similar results using an estriol vaginal ring. However, contradictory results are found in the literature. For example, additional studies found that the use of estriol-containing vaginal pessaries was less effective than oral nitrofurantoin macrocrystals in preventing UTI in postmenopausal women. Two other studies also did not find any benefit in the reduction of UTI by oral estrogen therapy. Unfortunately, the use of estrogen in preventing UTI in postmenopausal women remains questionable. New strategies have been researched for reducing the use of antibiotics in the prevention and treatment of UTI. Two of them are probiotics and cranberry juice or capsules. Although several studies regarding probiotics and cranberry juice or capsules have reported a reduction of episodes of UTI, there is no conclusive evidence that they are useful in the prevention of UTI in postmenopausal women. As for the optimal drug, dosage, and length of treatment for UTI in the elderly, there are no studies comparing these data with the treatment for young women.
Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacterial Infections ; Bacteriuria ; Capsules ; Catheters ; Contraceptive Devices, Female ; Cystitis ; Estriol ; Estrogens ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Incidence ; Kidney Calculi ; Lactobacillus ; Menopause ; Multivariate Analysis ; Nitrofurantoin ; Pessaries ; Probiotics ; Risk Factors ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urinary Tract ; Urinary Tract Infections ; Vaccinium macrocarpon