Prostate Morphology Research Articles

Pesticide Dichlorvos Promotes Morphological Alternations in the Rat Prostate

The complex process of carcinogenesis can be modulated by the action of environmental endocrine disruptors, such as the organophosphate pesticide Dichlorvos (DDVP), capable of interfering in homeostasis of different organs and leading to the development of neoplastic lesions. Considering that prostate cancer is the second most common neoplasm in men, worldwide, it is emphasized the importance of studying morphological alterations using animal models. In rodents, tumor initiation can be induced by the carcinogen N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) and tumor promotion can be stimulated by the administration of testosterone, combinated or not with the use of pesticides. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of DDVP on the development of morphological alterations in the ventral prostate of rats, after chemical induction by MNU. Thereunto, 32 Fischer 344 rats, aged 90 days, were randomly separated into four experimental groups: Control, DDVP, MNU, MNU+DDVP. For chemical induction, the MNU and MNU+DDVP groups were inoculated with MNU (15 mg/kg), followed by daily subcutaneous injections of testosterone cypionate (2.5 mg/kg), for 20 days. Animals of the DDVP and MNU+DDVP groups, from 120 to 240 days old, received the basal diet supplemented with 10 mg/kg of DDVP. Subsequent to the experimental period, the prostatic ventral lobe of each animal was collected and subjected to morphometric-stereological and histopathological analysis, for the classification of the lesions found. The incidence of alterations in epithelium and stroma of all experimental groups was evaluated, such as epithelial hyperplasia (increased cell population with stratification, without atypia) (Figure A and B); atrophy (retraction of the epithelium with reduction of the secretory cytoplasm) (Figure C and D); periacinary inflammatory foci (presence of inflammatory cell infiltrate) (Figure E and F); cell atypia with presence of cytoplasmic inclusions (Figure G and H) and metaplasia with stromal hyperplasia (change in the pattern of the original epithelium without proliferative change, with an increase in the adjacent stroma) (Figure I to L). The results showed a significant increase of epithelial hyperplasia areas in MNU and MNU+DDVP groups, with 100% of the animals showing this lesion (Table 1), which demonstrates a relation between chemical induction and the proliferative process. The morphometric-stereological analysis confirmed this finding, revealing a relatively greater volume of the epithelial compartment in MNU+DDVP, compared to the Control group (Table 2). Thus, it can be concluded that DDVP, even in low concentration, associated with chemical induction by MNU, was able to disturb the morphology of the ventral prostate, promoting proliferative epithelial lesions, strongly associated with the process of carcinogenesis.

Correlation of prostatic morphological parameters and clinical progression in aging Chinese men with benign prostatic hyperplasia: Results from a cross-sectional study.

Our study aimed to investigate the correlation of prostatic morphological parameters and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) clinical progression in aging Chinese men. In this retrospective study, a total of 1038 patients were reviewed. Prostatic morphology was measured by transrectal ultrasound (TRUS). Detailed medical history of all candidates was recorded and analyzed after being classified by specific prostatic measurements. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to estimate the correlation between variables. The cumulative incidence of BPH clinical progression was 63.68% (661/1038) in the study population. Prostate volume (PV), transitional zone volume (TZV), transitional zone index (TZI), and intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP) were all positively associated with BPH progression (all p < .001). Patients with a PV > 60 ml, TZV > 15 ml, TZI > 0.5, or IPP > 5 mm had a significantly higher possibility of overall BPH clinical progression (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 2.485, 1.678, 1.886, and 1.924, respectively; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.559-3.960, 1.131-2.489, 1.379-2.579, and 1.357-2.728, correspondingly). Prostatic morphological parameters are significantly associated with BPH clinical progression. Patients with larger prostatic morphological parameters are more easily prone to clinical progress. As a result, reasonable managements should be timely considered for those patients before clinical progression occurs.

Accuracy of Clarius, Handheld Wireless Point-of-Care Ultrasound, in Evaluating Prostate Morphology and Volume Compared to Radical Prostatectomy Specimen Weight: Is There a Difference between Transabdominal vs Transrectal Approach?

Background: Prostate size estimation is a valuable clinical measure widely utilized in urology. This study evaluated the accuracy of preoperative transabdominal ultrasound (TAUS) compared to radical prostatectomy specimens and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) in estimating prostate volume and identifying presence of median lobe, across different size groups, using the standard ellipsoid formula. The effect of median lobe on accuracy was also assessed. Materials and Methods: Ninety-eight men undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy were enrolled in this study. Preoperative evaluation of prostate volume was done using measurements obtained from TAUS using the Clarius C3 handheld wireless point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) and from TRUS Clarius EC7. Participants were grouped based on prostate size (<30, 30-60, and >60 g). Mean absolute percentage of error was used to evaluate accuracy. Mean percentage of error determined if there was an overestimation or underestimation. Correlation between each TAUS size group, true prostate weight and TRUS was assessed. Results: Irrespective of body mass index, TAUS accurately identified median lobe in all men. No statistically significant difference was found between specimen weight and TAUS prostate size for the >60 g group. Among this same group, a strong correlation was noted between specimen weight and TAUS prostate size (r = 0.911, p < 0.001). There was also a strong correlation between TAUS and TRUS measurements for this group (r = 0.950, p < 0.001). Presence of median lobe did not have an impact on measurement accuracy. Conclusions: Bedside handheld wireless POCUS provides rapid, inexpensive, noninvasive, and clinically accurate TAUS prostate assessments for larger prostates. Such features as identifying median lobes and measuring prostate volumes are valuable tools, whereas patient counseling on lower urinary tract symptoms, elevated prostate-specific antigen, and benign prostate hyperplasia are surgical options.

Exertional heat stroke on fertility, erectile function, and testicular morphology in male rats

The association of exertional heat stroke (EHS) and testicular morphological changes affecting sperm quality, as well as the association of EHS and hypothalamic changes affecting sexual behavior, has yet to be elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the effects of EHS on fertility, erectile function, and testicular morphology in male rats. Animals were exercised at higher room temperature (36 ℃ relative humidity 50%) to induce EHS, characterized by excessive hyperthermia, neurobehavioral deficits, hypothalamic cell damage, systemic inflammation, coagulopathy, and multiple organ injury. In particular, EHS animals had erectile dysfunction (as determined by measuring the changes of intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial pressure in response to electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves). Rats also displayed testicular temperature disruption, poorly differentiated seminiferous tubules, impaired sperm quality, and atrophy of interstitial Leydig cells, Sertoli cells, and peri-tubular cells in the testicular tissues accompanied by no spermatozoa and broken cells with pyknosis in their seminal vesicle and prostatitis. These EHS effects were still observed after 3 days following EHS onset, at least. Our findings provide a greater understanding of the effect of experimentally induced EHS on masculine sexual behavior, fertility, stress hormones, and morphology of both testis and prostate.

Intravesical prostatic protrusion may affect early postoperative continence undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy

BackgroundIn this study, we investigated the effect of preoperative prostate morphology, especially intravesical prostatic protrusion (IPP), on continence after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP).MethodsRetrospective analysis was applied to patients who underwent RARP between October 2010 and July 2014. The following parameters were assessed in all patients: age, body mass index (BMI), prostate-specific antigen, magnetic resonance imaging and pressure-flow studies findings. The impact of preoperative and intraoperative factors on postoperative urinary incontinence (UI) was assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. To evaluate the effects of IPP, the patients were divided into groups according to the IPP length: Group 1, < 5 mm and Group 2, ≥ 5 mm. The International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Overactive Bladder Symptom Score, Quality of Life index and the number of pads used were assessed.ResultsA total of 119 patients were eligible for this study. Multivariate analyses showed that IPP (odds ratio (OR) 1.14, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.28, p < 0.05) and nerve-sparing (NS) (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.18–0.61, p < 0.01) were significant factors related to UI in the first month after RARP. Twelve months after RARP, multivariate analyses revealed that only NS is a factor related to postoperative UI (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.18–0.61, p < 0.01). The comparison of Groups 1 and 2 indicated significant differences in age (p < 0.01), prostate volume (p < 0.01), total IPSS and voiding symptom score (p < 0.05), compliance (p < 0.01), and detrusor pressure at maximum flow (p < 0.01). Group 1 had a higher continence rate (38.0%) than Group 2 (20.8%) in the first month after RARP (p < 0.05), but the difference was no longer significant from the third month after RARP. The total IPSS and voiding symptom scores were significantly different between the two groups before RARP, however, the significant difference disappeared from the first month after RARP.ConclusionsThe data suggest that IPP affects early postoperative UI. Although NS was strongly involved in UI in the early and later stages after RARP, IPP had no effect on UI in the later stages.

Melatonin ameliorates degenerative alterations caused by age in the rat prostate and mitigates high-fat diet damages.

Imbalance of sexual steroids milieu and oxidative stress are often observed during aging and correlated to prostate disorders. Likewise, high-fat intake has been related to prostate damage and tumor development. Melatonin (MLT) is an antioxidant whose secretion decreases in elderly and is also suggested to protect the gland. This study evaluated the impact of a long-term high-fat diet during aging on prostate morphology and antioxidant system of rats and tested the effects of MLT supplementation under these conditions. Male rats were assigned into four groups: control, treated with MLT, high-fat diet and high-fat diet treated with MLT. The high-fat diet was provided from the 24th week of age, MLT from the 48th (100 μg/kg/day) and rats were euthanized at the 62nd week. The high-fat diet increased body weight, retroperitoneal fatness, glycaemia, and circulating estrogen levels. It aggravated the aging effects, leading to epithelial atrophy (∼32% reduction of epithelial height) and collagen fibers increase (83%). MLT alone did not alter biometric and physiological parameters, except for the prostate weight decrease, whereas it alleviated biometric as well as ameliorated acinar atrophy induced by high-lipid intake. Systemic oxidative stress increased, and prostatic glutathione peroxidase activity decreased fivefold with the high-fat diet despite the indole. Regardless of the diet, MLT triggered epithelial desquamation, reduced androgen receptor-positive cells, increased smooth muscle layer thickness (12%), decreased at least 50% corpora amylacea formation, and stimulated prostatic gluthatione-S-transferase activity. In conclusion, MLT partially recovered prostate damage induced by aging and the long-term high-fat diet and ameliorated degenerative prostate alterations.

Fetal programming by high-fat diet promoted the decreased of the prostate in adult Wistar albino rats

We investigated the effect of a high-fat diet on body metabolism and ventral prostate morphology in 4-months-old offspring. The mother was fed with a control (C) or a high-fat (HF) diet during gestation and lactation. At weaning, the offspring diet remained the same (C/C, n = 8; HF/HF, n = 8) or it was switched (C/HF, n = 8; HF/C, n = 9). Biometry, blood pressure (BP), glucose, lipid metabolism and ventral prostate were evaluated. Triacylglycerol of HF/C increased, and the C/HF group had decreased HDL-c levels (P = 0.0005 and P = 0.0100, respectively). All groups on the HF diet presented hyperglycemia (P = 0.0064). Serum testosterone diminished in the C/HF group (P = 0.0218). The HF diet, regardless of the period, reduced prostatic acinar area (P < 0.0001). The epithelium height was smaller in HF/C and HF/HF groups compared with C/C and C/HF (P < 0.0001), and the volume density of epithelium was lower in HF/C group compared with the C/C and C/HF (P = 0.0024). The volume density of smooth muscle cells diminished in C/HF and HF/C (P = 0.0013), and the volume density of connective tissue was reduced in HF/C and HF/HF (P < 0.0001). High-fat diet intake during prenatal and postnatal life leads to prostatic atrophy, which may impair prostate secretory activity and contractility, and thus disturb reproductive function in adulthood.

Computed tomographic features of the prostatic gland in neutered and intact dogs

BackgroundAim was to investigate age-dependent changes in the prostate of castrated dogs in computed tomographic (CT) examination.Thirty-six canine prostates were evaluated in pre- and post-contrast CT scans. Dogs were divided in groups with homogenous prostatic tissue (25/36) and with tissue alterations (11/36). Prostatic attenuation in Hounsfield Units (HU) and prostatic size were measured and a ratio of the prostatic size to the sixth lumbar vertebra was calculated. Additionally, the CT images of the prostate were compared with ultrasound examination.ResultsIn pre-contrast CT scans no significant differences were found in prostatic size between homogenous and altered prostatic tissue groups whereas prostatic attenuation differed significantly in post-contrast CT between these groups. The homogenous tissue pattern of homogeneous prostates could be confirmed in CT images and in ultrasound examination. Concerning prostates with alterations, the results differed between ultrasound and CT examination in four cases of 11 dogs with tissue alterations.ConclusionsCT is beneficial to examine the prostate of castrated dogs. The prostatic attenuation is characteristic for the prostatic morphology, which can vary due to ageing processes. Differences in attenuation and size can be found between prostates of castrated and intact dogs. Using contrast agent, CT can visualize prostatic alterations, which were not seen in ultrasound. The presented results should be considered preliminary until a study with larger sample size and histologic examination of the prostates is performed.

Calcitonin receptor is required for T-antigen-induced prostate carcinogenesis.

Expression of calcitonin (CT) and its receptor (CTR) is frequently elevated in prostate cancer (PC) and activation of CT–CTR axis in non- invasive PC cells induces an invasive phenotype. However, the role of CT-CTR axis in prostate carcinogenesis has not been investigated. We employed a transgenic mouse prostate cancer model that uses long probasin promoter to target the expression of T-antigen in the prostate gland (LPB-Tag) along with CTR knock-out mice (CTRKO) to address this question. We cross-bred LPB-Tag mice with CTRKO to obtain four groups of mice. Prostates of these mice were obtained at the age of 90 days, fixed, paraffin-embedded, and used either for the extraction of RNA or for immunofluorescence. Prostate RNAs from different groups were reverse transcribed and used either for transcription profiling or for qRT-PCR. As expected, prostates of mice with LPB-Tag genotype displayed well-grown tumors with histologic features such as loss of normal morphology and nuclear atypia. WT as well as CTRKO mice displayed normal prostate morphology. Interestingly, LPB-Tag-CTRKO prostates also displayed relatively normal morphology which was indistinguishable from the WT. Microarray analysis as well as qRT-PCR suggested that CTRKO genotype reversed T-antigen-induced silencing of RB and PTEN gene expression as well as T-antigen-induced expression of several enzymes associated with lipid metabolism/ cholesterol biosynthesis, several cancer-related and androgen-regulated genes. The results for the first time identify mechanisms associated CTR-induced prostate carcinogenesis, and raise an exciting possibility of using a potent CT antagonist to attenuate progression of prostate cancer.

A jaboticaba extract prevents prostatic damage associated with aging and high-fat diet intake.

Aging and overweight are involved in prostatic lesion development, due to their association with cell proliferation, hormonal imbalance and angiogenesis. The jaboticaba fruit is rich in bioactive compounds, showing potential chemopreventive action such as the capacity to modulate hormones and angiogenesis hallmarks. This study aimed to evaluate the jaboticaba extract (PJE) effect on the prostate morphology and on molecules related to hormone signaling and angiogenesis, during aging and/or high-fat diet (HFD) intake. Seventy FVB mice were distributed into experimental groups: YG group (young: 3 month old mice), AG group (aged: 11 month old mice), HfAG group (aged + HFD), JAGI group (aged + 2.9 g kg-1 PJE), JAGII group (aged + 5.8 g kg-1 PJE), HfJAGI group (aged + HFD + 2.9 g kg-1 PJE) and HfJAGII group (aged + HFD + 5.8 g kg-1 PJE). The ventral prostate was collected for morphological, immunohistochemistry and western-blotting analysis after 60 days of treatment. All PJE treatments promoted hormonal signaling balance and inhibited angiogenesis in the prostates of aged or HFD-fed aged mice, leading to the maintenance of healthy prostate morphology. A high dose of the PJE (JAGII and HfJAGII groups) led to the best capacity to reduce AR (58.40% and 74.42%; p = 0.0240 and p = 0.0023), ERα (30.29% and 45.12%; p = 0.0004 and p < 0.0001), aromatase (39.54% and 55.94%; p = 0.0038 and p = 0.0020), and VEGF (50.81% and 67.68%; p < 0.0001) and increase endostatin immunoexpression. Moreover, HFD intake intensified the hormonal and angiogenic alterations in the aged mouse prostates, contributing to the increase in premalignant lesion incidence. The PJE exerted a dose-dependent positive effect on aged or HFD-fed aged mouse prostates, contributing to the gland microenvironment recovery, mainly due to the hormonal and angiogenic balance. Therefore, we suggest that the PJE can be a potential candidate for prostatic lesion prevention.

Impact of cigarette smoke and aerobic physical training on histological and molecular markers of prostate health in rats.

Recent evidence suggests that aerobic physical training may attenuate the deleterious effects of cancer risk factors, including smoking. We investigated the effects of cigarette smoke inhalation and aerobic physical training on the expression of steroid receptors and inflammatory and apoptotic proteins in the prostate. Forty male Wistar rats were distributed in four groups: control (CO), exercise (EXE), cigarette smoke exposure (CS), and cigarette smoke exposure with exercise (CS+EXE). For eight weeks, animals were repeatedly exposed to cigarette smoke for 30 min or performed aerobic physical training either with or without the cigarette smoke inhalation protocol. Following these experiments, we analyzed prostate epithelial morphology and prostatic expression of androgen (AR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1), B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2), BCL-2-associated X protein (BAX), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) via immunohistochemistry. Cigarette smoke exposure stimulated the expression of AR, IGF-1, BCL-2, and NF-κB while downregulating BAX, IL-6, and TNF-α labeling in the prostate. In contrast, aerobic physical training attenuated cigarette smoke-induced changes in AR, GR, IGF-1, BCL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, and NF-κB. This suggests that cigarette smoke stimulates inflammation and reduces apoptosis, culminating in increased prostatic epithelial and extracellular matrices, whereas physical training promoted beneficial effects towards maintaining normal prostate morphology and protein levels.

Пренатальне застосування порогової дози ендокринного дизраптора дибутилфталату викликає передчасну вікову інволюцію органів репродуктивної системи самців щурів

Мета — виявити морфологічні кореляти гіперандрогенного стану молодих статевозрілих самців щурів, матері яких зазнали експозиції до порогової дози дибутилфталату протягом останнього тижня вагітності, а також дослідити морфофункціональний стан органів репродуктивної системи цих тварин у процесі старіння. Матеріал і методи. Дибутилфталат (ДБФ) вводили самицям щурів Вістар перорально в щоденній дозі 100 мг/кг м.т. упродовж 15-21-го днів вагітності. У 6- та 18-місячних нащадків чоловічої статі визначали масу та гістологічну будову органів репродуктивної системи, кількість сперматозоїдів в епідидимісах і вміст тестостерону в плазмі крові. Результати. У 6-місячних тварин дослідної групи маса органів статевої системи та гістологічна будова простати й сперматогенного епітелію сім’яників не відрізнялись від контролю. Морфологічні ознаки клітин Лейдіга в сім’яниках цих тварин свідчили про їх функціональне напруження, що корелювало з підвищеним удвічі рівнем тестостерону. Натомість у 18-місячнихдослідних тварин порівняно з контролем відповідного віку маса додаткових статевих залоз, епідидимісів і кількість сперматозоїдів вірогідно зменшувались, більше ніж дворазове зниження вмісту тестостерону було на межі вірогідності. Морфологічна будова простати та сім’яників свідчила про посилення вікових інволютивних змін цих органів, кількість мікролейдігом в інтерстиціальному просторі збільшувалась удвічі. Висновок. Гіперандрогенний стан у молодих самців щурів, які зазнали пренатального впливу низьких доз ДБФ протягом критичного періоду статевої диференціації мозку, характеризується морфологічними ознаками функціональної активації клітин Лейдіга. У старіючих піддослідних щурів відбувається передчасна інволюція гормональної та генеративної функцій гонад.

Effectiveness of Phenolic Antioxidants in Experimental Model of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Experimental model of sulpiride-provoked benign prostatic hyperplasia was employed to comparatively assess the effect of phenolic antioxidants (dihydroquercetin, p-thyrozol, dibornol, and prostagenin) on prostate morphology. All examined agents decreased the degree of hyperplasia in acinar epithelium; the greatest efficacy was demonstrated by prostagenin. Moreover, dihydroquercetin and p-thyrozol increased the cross-section area of acinar lumina and prostate volume, which is inadmissible in this pathology. These results suggest that the use of phenolic antioxidants in the therapy of benign prostatic hyperplasia should be strictly controlled.

Nandrolone decanoate and resistance exercise affect prostate morphology and hormone receptor interface in adult rats with implications for the aging process.

Nandrolone decanoate (ND) is an anabolic-androgenic steroid, and its indiscriminate use leads to subclinical alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and androgen-dependent organs. To evaluate the effects of ND, either alone or in combination with resistance exercise (RE), on the levels of sex hormones, converting enzymes, and steroid receptors and the morphology of the ventral prostate (VP) in adult and aged rats. Forty Sprague-Dawley adult and aged rats were divided into four groups each, sedentary and trained with and without ND. The groups received treatments over 8weeks. Adult animals were sacrificed immediately following treatment completion, while the aged groups were left untreated until 300days of age. Adult and aged animals showed reductions in testosterone levels following the different treatments, and 17β-estradiol levels were decreased in the ND-treated groups. The level of 5α-reductase type 2 (5αR2) and aromatase was increased significantly in the prostates of adult animals that performed RE. However, aromatase levels were decreased in the prostates of aged animals that performed RE and were treated with ND, while 5αR2 levels were reduced in aged animals that performed RE without ND treatment. When sex receptors levels were examined, the aged and trained animals presented low androgen receptor (AR) levels. Estrogen receptors (ERs) levels were increased in the prostates of adult animals that received ND. ERβ levels were reduced after treatments in aged animals. The heights of the prostatic epithelium were reduced in all adult treated animals, coinciding with increases in PCNA and PAR4 levels. ND and RE alter the levels of hormone, converting enzymes, and sex steroid receptors and the morphology of the VP. These effects were observed in both adult and aged rats. ND, either with or without RE, during post-puberty stage is able to interfere with the morphophysiology of the prostate.

Variation of prostatic morphology in Chinese benign prostatic hyperplasia patients of different age decades

Objective Our study aimed to investigate the age-related growth in prostatic morphological parameters in Chinese benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients, and to find out the regularity of how these parameters change with aging. Methods Medical records of 1038 BPH patients were obtained from a retrospective database of first-visit men with BPH. Change regularity of prostatic anatomical factors with aging was analyzed. Results Patients were classified into four groups according to different age decades. All prostatic anatomical factors assessed in this research increased with age growth (p < .0001). However, these anatomical factors sustained stably when older than 70 years. By analyzing the detailed correlation between age and prostatic morphological parameters, transitional zone index (TZI) (Pearson r = 0.358, r 2 = 0.128, p < .0001) and transitional zone width (TZW) (Pearson r = 0.344, r 2= 0.118, p < .0001) showed the best correlation coefficient with age. After adjusted the influence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and diabetes mellitus (DM), the result remained still similarly. Conclusion Prostatic morphological parameters increase progressively with age growth when patients were younger than 70 years, indicating reasonable interventions to be provided to BPH patients before 70 years. In addition, TZI and TZW are two practical, easy-to-measure prostatic parameters that are significantly associated with the growth of age compared to others.

Validation of canine prostate volumetric measurements in computed tomography determined by the slice addition technique using the Amira program

BackgroundProstatic diseases are common and mostly associated with enlargement of the accessory gland. Thus, determining the prostate size has become a main criterion for evaluating prostate health status. Computed tomography (CT) is recommended as a beneficial tool for evaluating prostate size, morphology and surrounding tissues. The purpose of this study was to establish an accurate procedure for volume estimation and afterwards evaluate the prostate volume in CT. Data of 95 dogs were analysed (58 male intact, 37 male neutered) using the slice addition technique with the Amira program. Accuracy of volumetric measurements by CT was validated by comparing them with those of phantoms of known volume. Patients were grouped according to age (< 4 yrs., 4–8 yrs., > 8 yrs) and prostate morphology in CT (H = homogeneous, I = inhomogeneous, C = cystic). The length of the sixth lumbar vertebra was measured to relate prostate volume to body size. This ratio was generated to compare prostate volume between the groups, irrespective of body size (ratio volume = Rv).ResultsA high correlation between the CT-derived and phantom volume was found. Overall, the mean prostate volume was 58.6 cm3. The mean ratio volume was 1.3 in intact male dogs, this being significantly higher than in neutered dogs (0.7). The lowest ratio volume values were found in group H for intact (Rv = 0.9) and neutered dogs (Rv = 0.6), followed by group I (intact: Rv = 1.1; neutered: Rv = 0.7) and C (intact: Rv = 1.4; neutered: Rv = 0.8). The length of the sixth lumbar vertebra was well correlated with the prostate volume (intact: r = 0.63, p < 0.001; neutered: r = 0.48, p = 0.003), while age exhibited a correlation only in intact dogs (r = 0.52, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe present study is pioneering in applying a slice addition technique to volumetric measurements of the prostate gland in CT, resulting in a highly precise method. Volumetric measurements of the canine prostate gland in CT images provide information about the prostate structure, castration status, age and body size of the patients. Therefore, prostate volume is a relevant parameter for evaluating prostate health status.

Effect of sildenafil in the prostate morphology in an animal model of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Introduction &amp; ObjectiveThe Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive disease characterized by prostatic enlargement, caused by increased cellular proliferation and/or decreased apoptosis. This cellular imbalance leads to prostatic morphological alterations with consequent clinical manifestations. Fosfodiesterase‐5 inhibitors have been recently recommended for treating BPH and its symptoms. It is thought that these drugs promotes a relaxation of smooth muscle of lower urinary organs, improving the voiding symptoms. However the effect of this class of drug on prostatic morphology has not been described yet. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate if sildenafil would ameliorate morphological modifications in a rodent model of BPH.Material and MethodsWe used 20 SHR (which is described as the best animal model for studying BPH) and 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats, aged 4 months, divided into 3 groups: Group W (WKY control normotensive rats, n=10); Group H (hypertensive animals without treatment, n=10) and Group HS (hypertensive animals which received sildenafil, n=10). The animals of groups W and H received 3 ml of water daily by gavage. Animals of group HS received sildenafil citrate (1 mg/kg) diluted in 3 ml of water daily by gavage. All groups received the treatments during 40 days in which blood pressure was measured weekly by tail‐cuff plethysmography. The animals were killed by anesthetic overdose and fragments of the ventral prostate were collected. These samples were fixed in buffered formaldehyde and processed for histochemical and immunohistochemical techniques. Morphometric analyses were performed for obtaining the following parameters: Prostatic epithelium height (μm), Collagen area density (%), Smooth muscle area density (%) and Proliferating cells area density (%). All results were expressed as mean ± SD. Statistical analyzes were performed using ANOVA followed by Bonferroni's post‐test.ResultsAs expected, animals from groups H and HS presented a higher arterial pressure when compared to group W during all the experiment. The epithelium of hypertensive animals were 41% increased in comparison to control animals, what confirms these animals as an experimental model of BPH. The sildenafil treatment was effective in decreasing the epithelial height to normal values. The analysis of collagen area density did not pointed differences among the three studied groups. Nevertheless, the smooth muscle area density was greatly augmented by 98% in H group compared to controls. Again, the sildenafil treatment restored normal values for this parameter. Despite these positive effects of sildenafil on prostate morphology, regarding the proliferating cells area density, sildenafil did not prevent the augmented values observed in the hypertensive model of BPH.ConclusionThe SHR present some morphological alterations of prostate which is compatible to BPH. Sildenafil somehow acts in prostate morphology, restoring the normal aspect in some parameters.Support or Funding InformationValença Medical School, FAPERJ, CNPq, and CAPESThis abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2018 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

ONCOUROLOGICAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM IS A CONTEMPORARY FORM OF ACTIVE COLLEGIAL COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CLINICIANS AND PATHOLOGISTS

In 2014, we celebrated 130 anniversary of Grawitz’s report suggesting that the renal carcinoma originates from intrarenal adrenal rests and the name «hypernehproma» was subsequently accepted. The discussions continued until the middle of 20th century when electron microscopic studies finally approved the Virchow’s postulates and showed that the renal tumors originate from the canalicular epithelium. This period became to be also a keystone for uropathology as independent sub-specialization in pathology. During that period numerous classification of male genital tract tumors were accepted, as well as the histological grading of the tumors, which started to be a part of routine medical practice. The invention of immunohistochemistry and new cytogenetic techniques affected a great influence and increased the significance of role of pathologist in detailed assessment and standardization of morphological criteria of urological tumors. Side by side, the wide applying of blood test for prostatic specific antigen (PSA) and invention of fineneedle prostatic biopsy technique were performed. The results of this technological breakthrough influenced dramatically to worldwide clinical practice. Such increased clinical interest for early diagnosis and treatment of prostatic cancer made push to wide range of scientific investigations, concerning the morphology of prostate. Due to rapid growth of knowledge about etiology and pathogenesis, as well as biological behavior the different urological malignancies, the significance of multidisciplinary teams (MDT) with participation of urologists, oncologists and pathologists is essential. Such co-operation in urological oncology provides better understanding of the patient’s status, his tumor diagnosis, stage and treatment of the patient. Therefore, participation of the pathologist is the as equal among equals. Such teams can offer more detailed consideration and modern attitude to the oncological problems and can help to design new directions that will be useful to both, patients and clinical physicians (oncologists and urologists), as well as diagnostic pathologists. This co-operation will rapidly increase the self-awareness of the pathologist as ‘diagnostic oncologist’. These multidisciplinary teams might be a good example for other specializations in practical medicine and the organization of such teams and there guidance to the everyday practice is the main aim of this article.

Paljung-San, a traditional herbal medicine, attenuates benign prostatic hyperplasia in vitro and in vivo

Ethnopharmacological relevancePaljung-san is a traditional herbal medicine used widely for the treatment of urogenital diseases in East Asia. However, scientific evidence of the efficacy of Paljung-san and its mechanisms of action against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is not clearly established. Aim of the studyWe investigated the inhibitory effect of Paljung-san water extract (PSWE) and its mechanisms against BPH in vitro and in vivo. Materials and methodsActive compounds of PSWE were analyzed quantitatively by High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). For in vitro study, PSWE treated BPH-1 cells were used to perform western blot analysis, cell cycle analysis and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. For in vivo BPH model, male rats were subcutaneously injected with 10 mg/kg of testosterone propionate (TP) every day for four weeks. 200 and 500 mg/kg of PSWE was administrated daily by oral gavage with s.c. injection of TP, respectively. ResultsHPLC revealed that PSWE contains 1.21, 1.18, 2.27, 3.56, 4.23, 3.00, 6.78, and 0.004 mg/g of gallic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, chlorogenic acid, geniposide, liquiritin apioside, liquiritin, glycyrrhizin, and chrysophanol components, respectively. In human BPH-1 cells, PSWE treatment reduced cell proliferation through arresting the cell cycle in the DNA synthesis phase. Moreover, PSWE suppressed prostaglandin E2 production with reduced cyclooxygenase-2 expression. In TP -induced BPH rat model, PSWE administration showed reduced prostate weights and dihydrotestosterone levels and led to a restoration of normal prostate morphology. PSWE also decreased TP-induced Ki-67 and cyclin D1 protein levels in the prostatic tissues. Decreased glutathione reductase activity and increased malondialdehyde levels in the BPH groups were reversed by PSWE administration. ConclusionPSWE attenuates the progression of BPH through anti-proliferative, anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant activities in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, these data provide the scientific evidence of pharmacological efficacy of PSWE against BPH.

Anatomy and histology of the prostate and glands of Cowper in three species of neotropical bats.

The reproductive accessory glands (RAG) are essential components in reproduction because their secretion products ensure survival, viability, and sperm motility. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the morphological and histological structure of the RAG in three species of bats of the genus Sturnira (S. erythromos, S. lilium, and S. oporaphilum). The RAG complex comprise a compact gland (prostate), which surrounds the urethra, and a pair of Glands of Cowper at the base of penis. Anatomical and histologically, the prostate are differentiated in two regions, ventral and dorsal. The dorsal region has tubuloalveolar glands with secretions fine granular or accumulations of a gel-like substance with bubbles and the ventral region, has alveolar glands with secretory cells form a single-layer of small cells. The seminal vesicles are absent. The prostatic morphology of the three species is similar to that of other studied Stenodermatinae and Desmodontinae, but differs from other subfamilies of Phyllostomidae (Carollinae, Glossophaginae, and Phyllostominae) as that of Molossidae and Vespertilionidae. The RAG complex has no annual variation in relation to functionality or size, but it is variable depending on age (subadults and adults). This agrees with the annual reproductive pattern described for these species in these latitudes, where adult males are reproductively active throughout the year.