Acetylsalicylic acid protects erectile function in diabetic rats.

We aimed to evaluate the effect of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) treatment on diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups as follows: (i) control (C), (ii) diabetic (D), (iii) ASA-treated control (C+ASA) and (iv) ASA-treated diabetic (D+ASA) groups. In groups 2 and 4, diabetes was induced by injection of 35 mg kg(-1) streptozotocin. ASA (100 mg kg(-1) day(-1) , orally) was administrated to rats in groups 3 and 4 for 8 weeks. Both intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were measured in in vivo studies. In organ bath, the relaxation responses to acetylcholine (ACh), electrical field stimulation (EFS) and sodium nitroprusside were tested in corpus cavernosum (CC) strips. The mRNA expression for neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) was calculated using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction technique. In in vivo experiments, diabetic rats displayed reduced ICP/MAP values, which were normalised with ASA treatment. The relaxant response to high-dose ACh and EFS at low frequencies (1-8 Hz) in CC strips from the D+ASA group were significantly higher when compared to the D group. Treatment with ASA normalised the raised mRNA expressions of nNOS in diabetic penile tissues. ASA may be involved in mRNA of protein synthesis of NO released from nonadrenergic and noncholinergic cavernosal nerve in diabetes.

Erectile dysfunction and depression in patients with chronic lead poisoning.

In this retrospective study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and chronic lead intoxication (CLI) as well as the role of depression in this relationship. We compared the findings of 26 male patients with CLI and 24 male patients as the control group between November 2008 and January 2009. The blood lead levels and smoking index of patients were evaluated for both groups. The International Index of Erectile Dysfunction-erectile function domain (EFD) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were obtained and reviewed in both groups. The mean blood lead levels of patients in the CLI and control groups were 42.1 and 3.2 µg dl(-1) respectively (P < 0.01). The mean interval of lead exposure of patients in CLI group was 71.5 (6-360) months. EFD scores of patients in CLI group were significantly lower, and number of patients with ED in CLI group was statistically higher (P < 0.05). BDI scores of patients in CLI group were significantly higher (P < 0.05). We detected a mildly negative and statistically significant relationship between the EFD scores and blood lead levels (r = -0.453 and P < 0.05). Our results showed that the increased frequency of ED is an independent factor in CLI group.

Sixteen gauge needles improve specimen quality but not cancer detection rate in transrectal ultrasound-guided 10-core prostate biopsies.

Performance of 16 (16 g) (n=103) and 18 gauge (18 g) (n=101) biopsy needles in transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided 10-core prostate biopsies were compared in terms of cancer detection and pre-defined specimen quality criteria in this prospective randomized study. Cancer detection rates of the two groups were similar, although the mean core volume of 16 g needles was almost twice that of 18 g needles. On the other hand, using 16 g needles significantly improved specimen quality by acquiring less empty cores, small cores and fragmented cores. There were no significant differences among the complication rates and VAS pain scores of the two groups. Sixteen gauge needles can safely be used in TRUS-guided prostate biopsies, as they improve specimen quality without increasing morbidity and patient discomfort.

Effects of antibacterial therapy on PSA change in the presence and absence of prostatic inflammation in patients with PSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml.

We investigated the effect of prostatic inflammation on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and per cent-free PSA levels changing after antibacterial therapy. We evaluated 48 patients whose PSA levels were between 4 and 10 ng/ml, without any suspicious findings on digital rectal examination, with no infection findings in urine analysis. Prostatic inflammation was assessed with prostatic massage. All the patients were given antibiotic therapy for 3 weeks. Patients were re-evaluated 3 weeks after antibacterial therapy with PSA (free/total) and urinalysis. Ten core biopsies were taken with transrectal ultrasound. No differences were found in terms of age, pre- and post-treatment PSA, and PSA varying between patients with and without inflammation in the prostatic massage. In 18 patients, PSA decreased below 4 ng/ml. Prostate cancer was found in 10.8% of the patients with PSA between 4 and 10 ng/ml and none of the patients with PSA values below 4 ng/ml. We suggest an antibiotic therapy for 3 weeks without regarding inflammation findings when PSA is in the gray zone, for biopsy decision.

Experimental evaluation of a cell module for hybrid liver support.

Aim of the study was to evaluate a hybrid liver support system in a porcine model of acute liver failure, after hepatectomy. Pigs with a body weight of 70+/-18 kg underwent total hepatectomy and porto-cavo-caval shunting as well as ligation of the bile duct and the hepatic artery. Control animals were connected to the system (including capillary membrane plasma separation) containing a four compartment bioreactor with integral oxygenation and decentralized mass exchange but without liver cells. The treatment group received hybrid liver support with the same system including 370+/-42 g primary isolated porcine parenchymal liver cells in co-culture with hepatocyte nursing cells, tissue engineered to liver- like structures at high density. Treatment started after complete recovery from anesthesia and was performed continuously. A positive influence on peripheral vascular resistance and a reduced need of catecholamine dosage was observed in the treatment group. Hybrid liver support with a cell module upscaled for clinical application significantly prolonged survival time in animals after hepatectomy with the longest survival being 26 hours in the control group an 57 hours in the treatment group.

Coenzyme Q10 concentrations and antioxidant status in tissues of breast cancer patients.

OBJECTIVES: An increasing amount of experimental and epidemiological evidence implicates the involvement of oxygen derived radicals in the pathogenesis of cancer development. Oxygen derived radicals are able to cause damage to membranes, mitochondria, and macromolecules including proteins, lipids and DNA. Accumulation of DNA damages has been suggested to contribute to carcinogenesis. It would, therefore, be advantageous to pinpoint the effects of oxygen derived radicals in cancer development. DESIGN AND METHODS: In the present study, we investigated the relationship between oxidative stress and breast cancer development in tissue level. Breast cancer is the most common malignant disease in Western women. Twenty-one breast cancer patients, who underwent radical mastectomy and diagnosed with infiltrative ductal carcinoma, were used in the study. We determined coenzyme Q10 (Q) concentrations, antioxidant enzyme activities (mitochondrial and total superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), catalase), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in tumor and surrounding tumor-free tissues. RESULTS: Q concentrations in tumor tissues significantly decreased as compared to the surrounding normal tissues (p < 0.001). Higher MDA levels were observed in tumor tissues than noncancerous tissues (p < 0.001). The activities of MnSOD, total SOD, GSH-Px and catalase in tumor tissues significantly increased (p < 0.001) compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may support that reactive oxygen species increased in malignant cells, and may cause overexpression of antioxidant enzymes and the consumption of coenzyme Q10. Increased antioxidant enzyme activities may be related with the susceptibility of cells to carcinogenic agents and the response of tumor cells to the chemotherapeutic agents. Administration of coenzyme Q10 by nutrition may induce the protective effect of coenzyme Q10 on breast tissue.

Effect of transurethral resection on serum free/total prostate-specific antigen levels in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVES: Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can cause elevation of total serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA). However, the effect of these procedures on free PSA and percent free PSA is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TURP on serum total PSA, free PSA, and free/total (f/t) PSA ratio in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and to determine the reliability of f/t PSA ratio after such interventions. METHODS: Fifty-three patients with BPH who underwent TURP because of severe bladder outlet obstruction symptoms were included in this study. All patients underwent digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), and routine hematologic (complete blood count) and serum biochemical tests, urine analysis, and a peak urinary flow test were performed. Serum total PSA and free PSA levels were determined 1 hour before and 24 hours after TURP by using enzyme immunometric assay. Preoperative and postoperative free and total PSA and f/t PSA ratio were statistically compared. RESULTS: Although postoperative total PSA and free PSA increased significantly compared with preoperative values (P <0.001 and P = 0.024, respectively), the difference between preoperative and postoperative f/t PSA ratios was not statistically significant (P = 0.103). CONCLUSIONS: Finding no significant change in f/t PSA ratio, although there is a significant increase in the serum levels of total and free PSA, suggests to us that f/t PSA ratio may be a more reliable parameter in the early period after such interventions as TURP.