Les prostatites chroniques: Microbiologie; Thérapeutique

Chronic prostatitis/Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) represents an important health problem resulting in considerable morbidity and of health care expenditure. CP/CPPS is a multifactorial problem affecting men of all ages and all demographic characteristics. Over recent years, progress has been made in the epidemiology and diagnosis of CP/CPPS. A new universally accepted classification system has become the gold standard in the contemporary literature. Men with CP/CPPS have significantly higher leukocyte counts in all segmented urine samples and expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) but not in semen. In segmented cultures, the urethral culture (first 10 ml of urine), EPS and first 10 ml of urine avoided immediately after prostatic massage are the “optimal” samples to detect the microbial agent. According to the four-glass test with polymerase chain reaction testing (PCR), Chlamydia and/or Ureaplasma infection can be suspected in several cases, but their role in the pathogenesis of prostatitis remains speculative. However, testing for these infections is highly recommended in non-documented infections. Quantification, speed and specificity make real-time PCR a promising approach for the quantitative detection and identification of prostatic bacteria from CP/CPPS patients. Several antibiotics have a good correlation between pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic parameters and efficacy for antibiotics in the treatment of chronic prostatitis. Fluoroquinolones, cotrimoxazole and ceftriaxone have a bactericidal concentration to the main pathogens in the prostatic fluid of patients with subacute and chronic prostatitis and in prostatic tissue.     

前列腺切除术围术期出血与临床护理预处理的关系

研究护理中术前服用度他雄胺2周减少前列腺内二氢睾酮和前列腺组织血管分布对前列腺术后出血的影响。本研究纳入了83例符合TURP适应症的良性前列腺增生患者。度他雄胺组由40名患者组成,术前两周内接受度他雄胺(0.5 mg/d)治疗;对照组由43名患者组成,术前两周内不接受度他雄胺治疗。根据术前、术后、术后24 h的血清血红蛋白(Hb)和血细胞比容(Hct)水平来评估失血情况。本次研究还探究了药物对留置尿道导管的使用时间、连续盐水膀胱冲洗时间和住院时间的影响。术后和术后1 d平均失血量方面,度他雄胺组低于对照组(ΔHb=(0.65±1.27) g/d L∶(1.16±0.73) g/d L,(1.30±1.00) g/dL∶(1.86±1.05) g/dL,p=0.019,p=0.011;ΔHct=(1.89±3.83)%∶(3.47±2.09)%,(3.69±2.95)%∶(5.39±3.23)%,p=0.016,p=0.011)。此外,在度他雄胺组中,尿道留置导尿管天数((2.95±1.02) d∶(3.92±1.14) d,p=0.000)、连续盐水膀胱冲洗时间((1.81±1.08) d∶(2.36±1.06) d,p=0.016)和TURP后的住院时间((3.95±1.09) d∶(4.76±1.19) d,p=0.001)较小。本研究表明,在TURP术前护理中用度他雄胺进行两周的治疗,可减少术后出血和TURP术后住院时间。这种临床护理预处理可用于减少与TURP相关的手术出血,建议临床使用。     

经尿道等离子电切术治疗前列腺增生的临床效果研究

目的：探讨经尿道等离子电切术治疗前列腺增生的临床效果和安全性。方法：选取2013 年1 月-2014 年1 月在我院就诊的 前列腺增生患者64 例,并将其随机分为经尿道前列腺等离子体双极电切术(PKRP)组和经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP)组,每组各 32 例。PKRP组患者使用经尿道前列腺等离子体双极电切术治疗,TURP 组患者使用经尿道前列腺电切术治疗,术后观察和比较 两组患者的临床疗效及并发症的发生情况。结果：与TURP组比较,PKRP 组的手术时间显著延长,术中出血量明显减少,导尿管 留置时间、住院时间均显著缩短,腺体切除量明显增加,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。术后,两组的IPSS、QOL、RUV和Qmax 均 较术前显著改善(P＜0.05),且PKRP 组患者的IPSS、QOL、RUV均显著低于TURP 组,而Qmax 明显高于TURP 组,差异具有统计 学意义(P＜0.05)。两组的不良反应包括前列腺电切综合征、暂时性尿失禁、迟发性出血和尿道狭窄,PKRP组的总发生率显著低于 TURP 组,差异具有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论：PKRP 治疗前列腺增生的临床效果优于TURP,患者恢复快,并发症发生率低,值 得临床合理选用。     

The role of gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonists for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Medical therapy is the preferred first-line approach in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The magnitude of the improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms observed in response to combination therapy (alpha-blocker plus 5-alpha reductase inhibitors) does not approach that achieved with prostatectomy. Various drugs have been under consideration, including BXL628, lonidamine, and phosphodiesterase inhibitors, all of which have had unacceptable side effects. The gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist cetrorelix is associated with dose-dependent symptom improvement and reduction of prostate volume. Elucidating the mechanism for cetrorelix-mediated improvement in lower urinary tract symptoms will likely contribute to unraveling the pathophysiology of lower urinary tract symptoms in men.     

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors for the treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms

Both lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and erectile dysfunction have a very high prevalence among aging men, and there is some clinical evidence that they may share a common pathophysiology. Consequently, several preliminary studies of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors-sildenafil and tadalafil-have recently been conducted in men with concomitant erectile dysfunction and lower urinary tract symptoms to determine whether these agents are effective for the treatment of symptomatic BPH. These studies have demonstrated efficacy, both alone and in combination with an alpha-blocker, in treating lower urinary tract symptoms along with sexual dysfunction. However, larger-scale randomized studies are necessary to determine long-term safety, efficacy, and cost effectiveness.     

Outcome of elective prostatectomy.

OBJECTIVES--To determine the symptomatic and urodynamic outcome of elective prostatectomy and to establish whether the outcome is influenced or can be predicted by preoperative urodynamic measurements. DESIGN--Prospective non-randomised study with follow up at a mean of 11 months after operation. Most men were assessed jointly by a urologist and a general practitioner. SETTING--Department of urology in a teaching hospital serving a large district population. PATIENTS--253 Men listed for elective prostatectomy because of symptoms and low urinary flow rates (less than 15 ml/s) and excluding those already on a waiting list or with acute urinary retention, clinically apparent prostatic cancer, and neurological or cerebrovascular disease; 217 (86%) were followed up. INTERVENTION--Elective prostatectomy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE--Classification on the basis of relief of symptoms assessed by patients and urologist and general practitioner and of symptom scores obtained by questionnaire. RESULTS--Of the 217 men followed up, 171 (79%) had a satisfactory subjective review and 155 (72%) had a satisfactory review and also low symptom scores. An unsatisfactory outcome was associated with preoperative symptoms of urge incontinence, small prostatic size and resected weight, low voiding pressures, and low urethral resistance. Preoperative maximum urinary flow rates did not predict outcome. Men with poor outcome could be classified into two groups: those with irritative symptoms who were more likely before operation to have had urge incontinence and detrusor instability and men with symptoms of poor urinary flow who were more likely before operation to have had a small prostate, low voiding pressures, and low urethral resistance. In patients in the second group flow rates or voiding pressures improved little after operation. Men with stable detrusors and either low urethral resistance or low voiding pressures were less likely to do well after prostatectomy, but despite these associations preoperative urodynamic measurements were unable to predict outcome accurately. CONCLUSIONS--Prostatectomy was satisfactory in relieving symptoms and improving urodynamic measurements in most men, but even in those with classic symptoms and low urinary flow rates a substantial minority experienced little improvement afterwards and urodynamic measurements did not accurately predict outcome in individual patients.     

Expressed Prostate Secretions in the Study of Human Papillomavirus Epidemiology in the Male

Introduction

Exploring different sampling sites and methods is of interest for studies of the epidemiology of HPV infections in the male. Expressed prostate secretions (EPS) are obtained during digital rectal examination (DRE), a daily routine urological diagnostic procedure, following massage of the prostate.

Materials and Methods

Urethral swabs and EPS samples were obtained from a consecutive sample of 752 men (mean age 32.4 years; median life-time sex partners 34) visiting urology outpatient clinics in St. Petersburg, Russia and tested for HPV DNA by general primer PCR, followed by genotyping using Luminex.

Results

Overall, 47.9% (360/752) of men were HPV-positive, with 42.0% (316/752) being positive for high-risk (HR-) HPV and 12.6% (95/752) for multiple HPV types. HPV-positivity in the EPS samples was 32.6% (27.7% HR-HPV) and in the urethral samples 25.9% (24.5% HR-HPV). 10.6% were HPV positive in both EPS and urethral samples. 6.4% had the same HPV-type in both EPS and urethral samples. 10.6% were HPV positive in both EPS and urethral samples. 6.4% had the same HPV-type in both EPS and urethral samples. The concordance between the urethral samples and EPS was 62.5% (470/752), with 80 cases double positive and 390 cases double negative in both sites. The sensitivity of urethral samples for overall HPV detection was 54.2% (195/360). Compared to analysis of urethral samples only, the analysis of EPS increased the HPV prevalence in this population with 26.2%.

Conclusion

EPS represent informative sampling material for the study of HPV epidemiology in the male.     

Significance of Signs and Symptoms in Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy

Measurements of intravesical pressure, urinary flow rate, retrograde cystographic residual urine, reflux of contrast medium into the prostatic ducts, and radiological prostate size were made in 45 men with benign prostatic hypertrophy. These factors were all found to be good clinical indices of the degree of urethral resistance to micturition; on the other hand, there was no relation between the latter and the severity of symptoms.     

经尿道等离子前列腺剜除术与经尿道前列腺电切术治疗良性前列腺增生症的临床疗效对比研究

摘要 目的：对比经尿道等离子前列腺剜除术（TUKEP）与经尿道前列腺电切术（TURP）治疗良性前列腺增生症（BPH）的临床疗效。方法：回顾性分析我院2018年1月1日至2021年3月17日期间收治的200例BPH患者的临床资料。根据手术方式的不同将患者分为A组（n=83）和B组（n=117）,A组手术方式为TURP,B组手术方式为TUKEP,比较两组围术期指标,随访6个月,对比两组性功能、尿流动力学变化及并发症发生情况。结果：B组手术时间、术中出血量、尿管留置时间、住院时间、术后冲洗时间短于A组（P<0.05）。术后6个月,两组患者的最大尿流速（Qmax）、膀胱顺应性（BC）升高,剩余尿量（PVR）降低（P<0.05）,且B组患者的Qmax、BC高于A组,PVR低于A组（P<0.05）。术后6个月,两组患者的勃起功能评分表（IIEF-5）、射精功能评分表（CIPE-5）评分降低（P<0.05）,但B组、A组IIEF-5、CIPE-5评分组间对比无明显统计学差异（P>0.05）。B组的并发症发生率小于A组（P<0.05）。结论：TUKEP、TURP治疗BPH,疗效相当,TUKEP在缩短手术时间、尿管留置时间、术后冲洗时间、住院时间,降低术中出血量,减少并发症发生率,改善尿流动力学方面更有优势。     

Impact of JAK2 V617F Mutation on Hemogram Variation in Patients with Non-Reactive Elevated Platelet Counts

Background

Non-reactive platelet counts elevation occurs mainly in myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs), which have been reported to be closely associated with JAK2 V617F mutation. Complete blood cell count (CBC) is essential in diagnosis of MPDs, however, the impact of JAK2 V617F mutation on the patients’ hemogram variation remains not clear.

Methods

JAK2 V617F mutation was detected by allele specific real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR (AS-qPCR).

Results

Of the 402 non-reactive platelet elevating patients, JAK2 V617F mutation was detected in 222 (55.2%) patients. RBC counts, WBC counts, platelet-large contrast ratio (P-LCR), platelet distribution width (PDW) and mean platelet volume (MPV) were much higher in JAK2 V617F mutated patients, except platelet counts. In addition, when the patients were classified into subgroups by blood cell counts, it was found that JAK2 V617F mutation rate increased progressively with the increase of RBC counts and WBC counts, other than platelet counts. Furthermore, trilineage hyperplasia group showed highest JAK2 V617F mutation rate (93.26%), followed by the bilineage hyperplasia groups. Lastly, JAK2 V617F mutant allele burden was found much higher in polycythemia vera (PV) patients [median(P₂₅–P₇₅): 45.02%(35.12%–54.22%)] than in essential thrombocythemia (ET) patients [median(P₂₅–P₇₅): 28.23%(17.77%–41.66%)], and that it increased with WBC counts (r = 0.393, p = 0.000) and RBC counts(r = 0.215, p = 0.001), other than platelet counts (r = −0.051, p = 0.452). Further analysis revealed that in ET patients, JAK2 V617F mutant allele burden correlated with WBC counts and platelet counts positively, other than RBC counts, while in PV patients, it correlated with WBC counts and RBC counts positively, but not platelet counts.

Conclusions

JAK2 V617F mutation occurs frequently in patients with non-reactive elevated platelet counts. The presence of JAK2 V617F mutation has great impact on hemogram variation, including RBC counts, WBC counts, platelet parameters and lineage hyperplasia, but not on platelet counts. Besides, JAK2 V617F mutant allele burden affects the blood cell proliferation pattern.     

Early development of bacterial community diversity in emergently placed urinary catheters

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Approximately 25% of hospitalized patients have a urinary catheter, and catheter associated urinary tract infection is the most common nosocomial infection in the US, causing >1 million cases/year. However, the natural history of the biofilms that rapidly form on urinary catheters and lead to infection is not well described. FINDINGS: We characterized the dynamics of catheter colonization among catheters collected from 3 women and 5 men in a trauma burn unit with different indwelling times using TRFLP and culture. All patients received antibiotic therapy. Results: Colony-forming units increased along the extraluminal catheter surface from the catheter balloon to the urethra, but no trend was apparent for the intraluminal surface. This suggests extraluminal bacteria come from periurethral communities while intraluminal bacteria are introduced via the catheter or already inhabit the urine/bladder. Richness of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) increased over time on the intraluminal surface, but was constant extraluminally. CONCLUSIONS: OTU community composition was explained best by time rather than axial location or surface. Our results suggest that catheter colonization can be very dynamic, and possibly have a predictable succession.     

经尿道前列腺等离子剜除术对大体积前列腺增生患者尿动力学、性功能及生活质量的影响

摘要 目的：探讨经尿道前列腺等离子剜除术（TUERP）对大体积前列腺增生（BPH）患者尿动力学、性功能及生活质量的影响。方法：回顾性分析我院2016年4月~2019年1月期间收治的118例大体积BPH患者的临床资料,根据手术方式的不同分为经尿道前列腺电切术（TURP）组（n=57,给予TURP治疗）和TUERP组（n=61,给予TUERP治疗）,比较两组患者围术期指标、尿动力学、性功能及生活质量,记录两组患者术后并发症发生情况。结果：TUERP组膀胱冲洗时间、手术时间、尿管留置时间短于TURP组,术中出血量少于TURP组（P<0.05）;TUERP组前列腺膀胱组织切除量多于TURP组（P<0.05）。两组患者术后6个月最大尿流（Qmax）及生理功能、躯体疼痛、社会功能、情感职能、总体健康、生理职能、活力和精神健康等评分升高,且TUERP组高于TURP组（P<0.05）;残余尿量（PVR）降低,且TUERP组低于TURP组（P<0.05）。TUERP组术后并发症发生率低于TURP组（P<0.05）。TUERP组术后6个月勃起功能障碍、逆行射精占比低于TURP组（P<0.05）。结论：TUERP治疗大体积BPH,可有效改善患者围术期指标、尿动力学、性功能及生活质量,同时还可减少并发症发生率,临床应用价值较高。     

LX-8000R and UriSed 2 fully automated urine analyzers comparison to manual microscopic examination

BackgroundUrinalysis has an important place in evaluating kidney and urinary tract infections. Automated urine analyzers enhance productivity and turnover in laboratories and economize time and labor required for analysis. In the present study, we evaluated and compared analytic and diagnostic performance of UriSed2 with LX-8000R, which is a novel image-based automated urine sediment analyzer.MethodsA total of 178 urine samples sent to our laboratory were evaluated by the two urine analyzers and standard manual microscopy. Precision and comparison studies were done in accordance with CLSI guidelines.ResultsSensitivity assessment revealed similar outcomes with both UriSed2 and LX-8000R devices for erythrocyte count (RBC), whereas UriSed2 device yielded higher outcomes for leukocyte count (WBC) and epithelial cells (EPI) than LX-8000R analyzer. Specificity of UriSed2 for WBC and RBC was higher than that of LX-8000R device. According to Gamma statistics, both urine analyzers showed perfect consistency for WBC, RBC and EPI cell counts. Manuel microscopy revealed statistically significant correlation between LX-8000R and UriSed2 in terms of WBC and RBC. Manual evaluation by Bland-Altman analysis demonstrated lower WBC and RBC values and higher EPI as compared to both UriSed2 and LX-8000R devices. As the result of Passing-Bablok regression analysis, both devices were found to be inconsistent with manual microscopy.ConclusionsWe think that evaluation of automated urine analyzers will be more meaningful when they are evaluated together with urine samples and patient clinical findings in addition to comparing with manual microscopy.     

TURP联合经尿道膀胱颈切开术治疗小体积前列腺增生所致膀胱出口梗阻的疗效分析

目的:探讨经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP)联合经尿道膀胱颈切开术(TUIBN)治疗小体积前列腺增生(BPH)所致膀胱出口梗阻的疗效。方法:选择2009年1月~2013年12月我院收治的小体积BPH患者,其中单纯经尿道前列腺电切术(TURP组)48例,经尿道前列腺电切术联合经尿道膀胱颈切开术(TURP+TUIBN组)48例。比较两组的术前、术后国际前列腺症状评分(IPSS)、残余尿量(PVR)、最大尿流率(Qmax)等,以及术后并发症的发生情况。结果:TURP+TUIBN组术中出血量较TURP组明显增多(P0.05),两组手术时间、组织切除质量比较,差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);与TURP组比较,TURP+TUIBN组术后6个月IPSS评分、PVR明显下降,Qmax、膀胱压力明显上升(P0.05);TURP+TUIBN组并发症发生率为4.2%,显著低于TURP组16.7%(P0.05)。结论:TURP+TUIBN治疗小体积前BPH所致膀胱出口梗阻,可彻底切除增生腺体,消除小体积BPH的各种梗阻因素,减少术后膀胱颈挛缩的发生。     

Effectiveness of Antegrade Access in Bladder Tumors With Inaccessible Urethra

Inaccessible urethra with no retrograde endoscopic access due to multiple/diffuse strictures or multiple urethrocutaneous fistulas with acute urinary retention due to posturethral instrumentation (transurethral resection of bladder tumor [TURBT], or TURBT with transurethral resection of the prostate [TURP]), is a rare entity. Management of such a case with a bladder tumor for TURBT/surveillance cystoscopy poses a great challenge. The authors present 12 cases of bladder tumor with inaccessible urethra, 10 cases due to multiple strictures (post-TURBT and/or TURP), and 2 cases due to urethrocutaneous fistulas (post-TURBT), who presented to our emergency department with acute urinary retention. Emergent suprapubic catheterization was used as a temporary treatment method.Key words: Suprapubic cystostomy, Inaccessible urethra, Bladder tumors, Tract seedlingBladder tumors are the most common neoplasm of the lower urinary tract, comprising 6% of all malignancies in men and 2% of those in women.¹ A majority of patients present with gross painless hematuria, usually as the sole presenting symptom.² Bladder carcinoma is unique among human neoplasms in that many of its etiologic factors are known; the urologist should be aware of the possible occupational exposures to urothelial carcinogens.³ Initial symptoms of urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) include microhematuria, painless macrohematuria, and/or irritative voiding symptoms, and require further investigation. Carcinoma in situ of the bladder causes irritative lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) more often than does papillary UCB. Histopathologic evaluation is necessary to assess stage and grade with sufficient certainty after the appearance of bladder tumors.⁴ Bladder tumors spread by implantation in abdominal wounds, denuded epithelium, resected prostatic fossa, or traumatized urethra⁵; implantation occurs most often with high-grade tumors.     

5-alpha-Reductase Inhibitors Prevent the Progression of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with clinical benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) are a common occurrence in aging men, causing bother and interference with daily activities and affecting disease-specific quality of life. There is increasing evidence to suggest that, in many patients, the signs and symptoms of BPH are progressive. Progression can be measured as continued growth of the prostate gland; worsening of symptoms, bother, or quality of life; deterioration of urinary flow rate; episodes of acute urinary retention (AUR); and need for prostate-related surgery. Furthermore, it has become clear that the risk of disease progression increases with age as well as with increasing prostate volume and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level. The 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor finasteride has been shown not only to improve symptoms, bother, and quality of life but also to prevent progression to AUR and surgery, with a relative risk reduction of over 50%. As the risk for such progression is higher in patients with larger glands or higher serum PSA values at baseline, it is in those patients that finasteride induces an even greater risk reduction, making it a cost-effective treatment choice for patients with LUTS associated with prostatic enlargement.     

内毒素和降钙素原在妇科术后尿路感染中的鉴别诊断价值

目的评价中段尿内毒素和血清降钙素原在妇科术后不同种类细菌尿路感染中的鉴别诊断价值。方法收集临床1205例妇科术后患者中段尿进行细菌培养及内毒素检测,同时对患者进行血清降钙素原检测,比较结果对尿路感染的鉴别诊断价值。结果1205份标本中尿培养出阳性350例,感染率为29．04％,其中298例为均存在留置导尿管,而在剩余400例尿培养阴性的患者中仅仅120例留置导尿管。两组之间差异有统计学意义（χ2=26．78,P〈0．05）。其中革兰阴性杆菌189例（54％）,革兰阳性菌112例（32％）,真菌49例（14％）。在三组患者中,中段尿内毒素在革兰阴性菌引起的术后尿路感染较革兰阳性菌和真菌的患者中明显升高,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。而对于血清降钙素原在革兰阴性菌和革兰阳性菌感染的患者明显高于真菌尿路感染的患者,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。而在革兰阴性菌和革兰阳性菌感染的患者中差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论妇科术后尿路感染与留置导尿管密切相关,革兰阴性菌是引起妇科术后尿路感染的主要致病菌,中段尿内毒素有助于鉴别诊断出革兰阴性菌引起尿路感染,而血清PCT升高时则有助于排除真菌尿路感染。     

Current medical therapies for men with lower urinary tract symptoms and benign prostatic hyperplasia: achievements and limitations

Over the last 20 years, our understanding of the pathophysiology and symptomatology of men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has become increasingly more sophisticated. With this increase in sophistication, our utilization of various medical therapies, either alone or in combination, has also increased the understanding of the roles of individual medications, combinations of medications, and the benefits of different types of intervention. The rapid decline of the use of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) and other surgical procedures for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the 1990s is due in part to the introduction of medical therapy. This article reviews the current state of medical therapy for men with LUTS and highlights its promises and its current limitations.     

Association of serum arginase I with oxidative stress in a healthy population

The association of serum arginase I with oxidative stress was evaluated cross-sectionally in a healthy population. The mean levels of serum arginase I in healthy people (n = 278) were 32.6 ± 22.3 ng/ml. Significant correlations of arginase I were observed with age, WBC, RBC, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), uric acid, body mass index (BMI) and urinary 8-isoprostane. Multiple regression analysis showed significant associations of arginase I with WBC, RBC, urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), age, HbA1c and urinary 8-isoprostane. In the associations of arginase I with 8-OHdG, 8-isoprostane and HbA1c, confounding factors and lifestyle factors such as sex, old age, smoking and alcohol consumption were involved. It was concluded that serum arginase I was associated with oxidative stress and HbA1c in addition to age, WBC and RBC in healthy Japanese people and may become a new biomarker for early prediction of diabetes mellitus and other oxidative stress-related diseases.     

Landmark studies impacting the medical management of benign prostatic hyperplasia

The treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) has changed dramatically over the past 10 years. Phase 3 studies of the safety and effectiveness of alpha-blockers (eg, terazosin and doxazosin) and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors (eg, finasteride) for the treatment of BPH began to appear in the literature in 1992. This article reviews the results of landmark studies of these agents, either separately as monotherapy or as combined therapy, for the treatment of BPH. The relationship between prostate size and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) is discussed. Although prostate volume is not as strongly correlated with these symptoms as was once believed, it has been shown to be an important predictor of risk for developing acute urinary retention. alpha-Blockers represent an effective treatment for LUTS independent of prostate volume; the clinical benefit of finasteride for LUTS is limited primarily to men with large prostates. Finasteride decreases the risk of progression to acute urinary retention and the requirement for surgical intervention; this benefit is greatest in men with enlarged prostates.