Possible mechanism of referred pain caused by chronic prostatitis / 第三军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the mechanism of the referred pains in pelvic pain due to chronic prostatitis and the relation between pain due to prostatitis and pelvic floor muscle dysfunction. Methods The retrograde fluorescent double labeling and immunohistochemistry were used. A total of 24 Wistar rats were divided two groups, 12 in each group. In the first group, Propidium Iodide(PI) was injected into the prostate, Bisbenzimide(Bb)into the external anal sphincter. In the second group, PI was injected into the prostate, Bb into genitofemoral, iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, femoral and lateral femoral cutaneous nerves. Results The fluorescent double labeled cells were found in the L 1 L 2 and L 6～S 3 dorsal root ganglia(DRG) and some of them were confirmed to contain calcitonin gene related peptide(CGRP) and P substance (SP) by immunohistochemistry. Conclusion The findings confirm that the peripheral process of DRG cells dichotomizes into prostate, external anal sphincter and somatic parties, and some of these cells contain CGRP and SP, which indicates the referred pains in pelvic floor may be caused by axon reflex in the peripheral process of DRG cells. Meanwhile, neurogenic inflammation might play an important role in this persistent pain status. Pain due to prostatitis is correlated with pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.