RESUMO
【Objective】 To investigate the significance of granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), nerve growth factor (NGF) and interleukin-17 (IL-17) in the prostate tissue of rats with experimental autoimmune prostatitis(EAP). 【Methods】 EAP rat models were established and divided into control group, EAP group, anti-GM-CSF group (blocking control group) and anti-GM-CSFEAP group (blocking EAP group). Pain behaviors were tested. The pathological changes were observed with HE staining. The mRNA and protein expressions of GM-CSF, NGF and IL-17 were detected with RT-PCR and Western blot. 【Results】 Pain test showed the anti-GM-CSF group had less chronic pelvic pain than the EAP group. HE staining showed the anti-GM-CSF group had less tissue inflammatory response. The EAP inflammation score was higher in the control group than in the anti-GM-CSF group. Immunohistochemistry showed GM-CSF was positive in the EAP group (mainly in the nucleus). RT-PCR and Western blot results showed the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-17 and NGF significantly decreased 50 days after EAP in the anti-GM-CSF group. 【Conclusion】 Increased expressions of GM-CSF, NGF and IL-17 in prostate tissue of EAP rats may be important inflammatory mediators of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS);decreased expressions of NGF and IL-17 after resistance against GM-CSF indicate that GM-CSF may be a potential therapeutic target for CP/CPPS.