ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Increased expression of the nerve growth factor (NGF) in the urinary bladder may contribute to irritative bladder symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. It has been reported that the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) can initiate NGF synthesis. This study investigated the changes in the urinary NGF and TGF-beta1 in male patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study groups included 25 male patients with lower urinary tract symptom and 10 normal male patients used as the reference controls. The evaluation included history taking, urinalysis, international prostatic symptom score (IPSS), and urodynamics. Voided urine was collected in all patients. The urinary NGF and TGF-beta1 concentration was analyzed by using an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay and these results were compared with the control group. RESULTS: From the analysis of the IPSS, the obstructive and irritative symptom scores were higher. The urodynamic study showed that more than half of the patients had detrusor instability and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). The NGF and TGF-beta1 urinary concentration were significantly higher in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms compared to the control. Furthermore, the NGF and TGF-beta1 urinary concentration were significantly higher in patients with BOO compared with patients with non-BOO. CONCLUSIONS: NGF and TGF-beta1 may play a role in the lower urinary tract symptoms and these changes can be detected in urine samples. Therefore, these growth factors may be used as markers to evaluate lower urinary tract symptoms.