In vitro effects of ß3-adrenoceptor agonist mirabegron on the human ureter.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mirabegron, a ß3-adrenoceptor agonist with widespread clinical use for treating overactive bladder disease, on isolated healthy human ureter strips. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective study employing a series of in vitro organ bath experiments using ureteral tissues of kidney grafts from 10 healthy donors. The ureteral strips were subjected to cumulative mirabegron concentrations (10-9-10-4.5 M). Effects on frequency or amplitude of spontaneous, 10 mM KCl- or EFS-induced contractions were evaluated. RESULTS: Mirabegron decreased the frequency of spontaneous ureteric contraction in a concentration-dependent manner. Statistically significant decrease in the frequency of spontaneous contraction was observed at 10-8-10-4.5 M. In 10 mM KCl medium, statistically significant change in frequency was observed at 10-9-10-4.5 M. Statistically significant decrease in the amplitudes of spontaneous contraction was observed at 10-7-10-4.5 M. In a 10 mM KCl medium, statistically significant change in amplitudes was observed at 10-8-10-4.5 M. CONCLUSIONS: Mirabegron reduced the amplitude and frequency of human ureter activity in in vitro organ bath studies. This effect was achieved in a dose-dependent manner on isolated tissue strips. Although monotherapy with mirabegron remains uncertain, this study has the potential to elucidate the mechanism underlying the effectiveness of mirabegron, particularly in combination therapy for ureteral stones.

Chronic Kidney Disease Risk in Living Kidney Transplant Donors: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND: Living kidney donors (LKD) may experience some untoward consequences following donation such as development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this study, we aimed to investigate the rate of development of CKD and factors affecting the development of CKD in LKDs during long-term follow-up from a center in Turkey. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of LKDs followed between January 2000 and December 2017. Pre-transplant and post-transplant clinical data of the 338 LKDs were recorded and compared. Factors affecting the development of stage 3 and later stages of CKD were analyzed. RESULTS: Majority of the donors were females (64.2%), and the median age of all donors was 47 (39-54) years. Stage 3 CKD developed in 50 donors during the median follow-up of 71 months. Older age at the time of transplantation and a low pre-transplant estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were determined as the factors affecting the development of stage 3 CKD (p < 0.001, p < 0.001). The receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the cut-off age for the development of stage 3 CKD was 50.5 years. Newly diagnosed hypertension was detected in 57 patients (16.8%) after the transplantation. While hypertension was seen at a rate of 42% in those with an eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m2, it was detected at 19.4% in the group with an eGFR >60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results reveal that being a LKD is associated with the development of CKD and hypertension. Age and eGFR values at the time of transplantation were the determinants for the development of CKD.

Laparoscopy-assisted peritoneal dialysis catheter placement using a modified minimally invasive approach: A retrospective observational study.

Peritoneal dialysis is a reliable and effective treatment for end-stage kidney disease. However, inadequate catheter insertion can lead to mechanical dysfunction, which remains an unresolved problem. In this study, we present the initial results of a modified laparoscopic approach. This study included 38 patients who underwent peritoneal dialysis using a modified laparoscopic approach. During the procedure, a single laparoscopic trocar was employed, and peritoneal entry was performed using a percutaneous pull-apart sheath/dilator. To minimize the risk of complications, the free catheter portion was kept short in the peritoneum. The modified method was guided by proven recommendations of the standard laparoscopic technique. The mean operation time was recorded as 24.28 ±â€…15.5. The mean hospitalization was found to be 1.20 ±â€…0.72 days. The postoperative morbidity was 26.3%. The mechanical dysfunction rate was 5.26%. The median follow-up time was 20.4 ±â€…17.14 months. The median peritoneal dialysis catheter-free survival was 25.96 ±â€…4.02 months. The catheter-free survival rate was 92.11%. The modified laparoscopic approach has been demonstrated to be a safe and effective option, and initial studies have indicated that it offers several benefits over traditional methods, including a straightforward procedure with a brief duration, minimal complications, and brief hospital stay.

Endovascular management of renal angiomyolipomas: Do coils have a benefit in terms of clinical success rates?

PURPOSE This study evaluated single center results of endovascular treatment in renal angiomyolipoma (AML) to determine whether there is clinical relevance of adding proximal coil embolization to distal particle embolization in terms of safety, efficacy and retreatment rates. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed to evaluate patients undergoing transarterial embolization for renal AMLs from January 2007 to October 2020. Parameters regarding patient and tumor characteristics, embolization technique, treatment outcome and complications were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups as A (only particle group) and B (particle + coil group) based on the type of embolic agent used for treatment. Comparative analysis was performed between the two groups in terms of tumor size reduction, retreatment and complication rates. RESULT Forty-two patients (37 (88.1%) female, 5 (11.9%) male) harboring 48 AMLs were included in the study. The mean age was 43.46 (range 20 to 78). The technical success rate was 95.8% (46 of 48 procedures). The mean size reduction was 1.94±1 cm (p < 0.001) after treatments however, no significant difference was seen between groups in terms of tumor size reduction. Retreatment rates were 3.1% (1 of 32 cases) in group A and 14.3% (2 of 14 cases) in group B (p = 0.21). No significant difference was found between groups in terms of bleeding and complication rates during the perioperative period. Mean follow-up duration was 26.48±25.71 (range from 2 to 102) months. CONCLUSION In this study, no clear supplementary benefit was observed in terms of safety, and efficacy with the adjunction of coils to distal particle embolization in the management of AMLs.

Pathology associated with adherent perirenal fat and its clinical effect.

INTRODUCTION: The dissection of perirenal fat is of critical importance to kidney surgery and ease of dissection is more important when using minimally invasive approaches. This study aimed to determine the clinical, radiological, and pathological significance of adherent perirenal fat (APF). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 22 patients scheduled for partial nephrectomy and 40 patients for donor nephrectomy. Intraoperative fat dissection time was recorded, and the complexity of perirenal fat dissection was surgeon-classified as easy, moderate, and difficult. Perirenal fat and subcutaneous fat thickness were measured. Measurement of perirenal fat depth and the Hounsfield unit (HU) for both perirenal and subcutaneous fields were performed using computed tomography (CT) images. All specimens were submitted for histopatological analysis. Researchers in each arm were blinded to other researchers' data. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 51.3 ± 12.7 years. Mean perirenal fat dissection time was 15.0 ± 13.5 minutes. Patient demographics, BMI, nor occupational status differed between the 3 complexity of perirenal fat dissection groups. Radiological findings showed that there was a significant correlation between perirenal fat depth and complexity of perirenal fat dissection (P < .05), but not with HU measurements or subcutaneous fat thickness. Surgeon classification of the complexity of perirenal fat dissection was in accordance with the duration of dissection (P < .05). Perinephric fat contained more fibrous tissue in the patients with histologically proven APF than in those without (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: APF is a challenge during kidney surgery. Difficult dissection prolongs the duration of perirenal fat dissection and surgery. Perirenal fat thickness measured via preoperative CT might be used to predict APF.

Outcomes of ureterolysis for primary retroperitoneal fibrosis: A single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report our experience with ureterolysis for the management of retroperitoneal fibrosis. METHODS: The data of 25 patients who underwent ureterolysis due to primary retroperitoneal fibrosis between 2002 and 2017 were reviewed retrospectively. Initial symptoms, laterality, renal function status (initial/final), operation complications and serum creatinine levels (diagnosis/preoperative/6 months, 12 months postoperatively) were recorded. After surgery, patients were followed up by ultrasonography and serum creatinine levels. Patients with impaired results underwent furosemide renogram and/or late phase of computed tomography. Factors affecting final serum creatinine levels were evaluated. The χ2 -test was used for nominal data among groups. The level of statistical significance was set as P < 0.05. RESULTS: A total of 19 patients (76%) were operated bilaterally. The mean follow-up period was 46.2 ± 9.2 months. Among 44 operated renal units, non-functioning kidney developed in seven (15.9%). A total of 34 renal units (77.3%) did not require any additional surgical intervention, and two underwent balloon dilatation (4.5%), one (2.25%) followed with double J stent changes. Two patients developed end-stage renal disease secondary to bilateral unresolved obstruction. High final serum creatinine levels developed in eight (32%) patients without dialysis. Eight patients (32%) were treated with immunosuppressive therapy for systemic recurrence. There was a significant relationship between preoperative serum creatinine levels with final serum creatinine levels (P = 0.005). There was no statistically significant relationship between diagnosis serum creatinine levels with final serum creatinine levels and postoperative dialysis requirement (P = 0.79 and P = 0.817, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Ureterolysis provides acceptable success with low complication rates in patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis. Preoperative high-serum creatinine levels can be considered as a risk factor for long-term renal impairment and these patients should be followed closely.

Donor Nephrectomy May Compromise the Cardiovascular System: A Retrospective, Single-Center Study.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to determine the short-term effects of donor nephrectomy on the cardiovascular system and to gain a better understanding of the recently recognized long-term increased risk of end-stage renal disease and cardiovascular mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Living kidney donors who underwent donor nephrectomy between January 2010 and January 2015 at the Hacettepe University Transplantation Unit were retrospectively screened. Echocardiographic parameters, kidney volumes, and renal functions before nephrectomy were compared with measurements after nephrectomy. Flow-mediated dilatation values of living kidney donors were compared with healthy individuals. RESULTS: The study included 73 female and 31 male living kidney donors with a mean age of 46.1 ± 10.8 years. In the comparative analysis of donors versus 35 healthy individuals, the changes in flow-mediated dilatation were 12.3 ± 5.7% and 15.4 ± 6.3%, respectively (P = .016). In the comparative analysis of preoperative versus the last visit transthoracic echocardiographic results, left ventricular end-systolic and end-diastolic diameters decreased and left ventricular posterior wall thickness and septum thickness increased (P = .025, P = .002, P = .026, and P = .019, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Nephrectomy may cause several hemodynamic changes in living kidney donors, which may exacerbate cardiovascular risks in this population.

Percutaneous Management of Ureteral Obstructions and Leak After Renal Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of percutaneous treatment of ureteral obstructions and leak after renal transplant and to evaluate the long-term results and graft survival rates in a single center. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included 27 transplant recipients who received percutaneous treatment between January 2000 and December 2010 and who had follow-up data until December 2018. During this period, 294 renal transplants were performed at our institution, with 17 (5.7%) having a ureteral complication. Ten patients included in the study had their transplants at another center. Percutaneous nephrostomy, balloon dilatation, and double J stent placement were used in the management of complications. Cutting balloon dilatation and tandem ureteral stent placement were done in cases of resistant stenosis. Technical success and ureter patency rates were calculated. Graft survival rates were compared between early and late obstruction groups and between successful and unsuccessful interventional treatment. RESULTS: Among included cases, 21 obstructions (7 early, 13 late) and 8 leaks were detected. The technical success rate of percutaneous nephrostomy was 100% in all groups. The technical success rates of balloon dilatation and double J stent were 100% and 88% in the early and late obstruction groups, respectively. Censored graft survival rates in all groups at 1, 5, and 10 years were 89%, 89%, and 73.9%, respectively. In long-term follow-up, ureter patency rates were 100%, 33%, and 50% for early obstruction, late obstruction, and urinary leak groups, respectively (P = .018). Graft survival rates between early and late obstruction groups were not significantly different. No major complication, allograft loss, or 30-day mortality was seen. CONCLUSIONS: Percutaneous management of ureteral complications is safe and effective and should be considered as first-line treatment because of its less invasive nature and lower complication and morbidity rates.

Surgical management of renovascular hypertension in children and young adults: a 13-year experience.

OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the early and mid-term outcomes of surgery for renovascular hypertension (RVH) at our institution, within the last 13 years. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 19 patients who underwent surgery for RVH, between 2005 and 2017. The age at operation, clinical characteristics, cause of arterial stenosis, diagnostic workup, surgical management and outcomes during the follow-up were analysed. The continuous variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. RESULTS: Twelve female and 7 male patients underwent surgery for RVH. Their mean age was 17.07 ± 11.9 years (range 4-42 years). Nine patients had renal arterial stenosis, and 10 patients had midaortic syndrome (MAS). Aortorenal bypass with the saphenous vein was performed in 6 patients with renal arterial stenosis and 1 patient with MAS. An isolated thoracic aorta-abdominal aortic bypass was performed in 1 patient with MAS, and thoracic aorta-abdominal aortic bypass combined with unilateral aortarenal bypass was performed in 9 patients with MAS. The other surgical procedures performed were 2 autotransplantations and 2 unilateral nephrectomies. Among the patients with MAS, 4 underwent reoperation. The mean follow-up duration was 45.58 ± 32.7 months. Hypertension was cured in 3 patients and improved in 14 patients. The postoperative follow-up creatinine levels were similar to preoperative creatinine levels. All bypasses were patent on mid-term follow-up. One patient who underwent aortorenal bypass died 14 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical management is a suitable option for patients with RVH, who were unresponsive to medical and/or endovascular management. Surgical methods are safe and effective in children and young adults with RVH.

Feasibility of Boari Bladder Flap Procedure in Patients With Heterotrophic Renal Transplant.

OBJECTIVES: Our goal was to investigate the safety and efficacy of the Boari bladder flap procedure in patients who received either allogeneic or autotransplant of kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients with either allogeneic or autotransplant of kidneys who also underwent Boari bladder flap procedures between January 2007 and January 2018. Boari bladder flap was preferred in management of ureteral com-plications after allogeneic renal transplant or it was combined with renal autotransplant when ureteral length was not sufficient to allow ureterovesical anastomosis in patients with ureteral injury. RESULTS: Boari bladder flap procedures were performed in 14 patients who had undergone heterotrophic renal transplant. Nine patients had undergone allogeneic renal transplant, and 5 patients had renal auto-transplant. The mean age of patients was 41.7 ± 13.4 years. The 5 patients with renal autotransplant procedures had simultaneous Boari flap procedures due to ureteral avulsion during retrograde ureter-orenoscopic surgery for urolithiasis. For the entire cohort, mean preoperative and postoperative (at month 1) serum creatinine levels were 1.42 ± 0.71 and 1.13 ± 0.43 mg/dL, respectively. At last visit, the mean creatinine level was 1.94 ± 1.88 mg/dL. CONCLUSIONS: The Boari bladder flap procedure can be a safe and relevant choice in the management of challenging complications after heterotrophic (either allogeneic or autotransplant) renal transplant, allowing minimally invasive urologic surgery, no need for use of bowel segments, and no potential risk for the contralateral kidney.

Renal Autotransplantation with Autologous Saphenous Vein Graft in a Patient with Takayasu Arteritis and Existing Renal Artery Stent in Her Solitary Kidney.

Takayasu arteritis is a disease that results in the granulomatous inflammation of large vessel walls. Takayasu arteritis is generally observed in young females during the second or third decades of life. This disease is treated by the revascularization of the affected organs either by surgery or by endovascular interventions. In this study, we present a case where renal autotransplantation was performed on a lady with an autologous saphenous vein graft subsequent to numerous previous endovascular interventions for her solitary kidney due to Takayasu arteritis-induced renal artery stenosis. The patient was prevented from becoming dialysis dependent through this surgical intervention. Renal autotransplantation is the choice of treatment, especially for those in whom endovascular interventions have failed. Patient management must include the partnership of an experienced vascular surgeon, transplant urologist, rheumatologist, nephrologist and radiologist.

Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy in Solitary Kidneys: 17 Years of Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the demographics and the results of patients who underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with solitary and bilateral kidneys. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between January 1998 and August 2014, 2268 patients underwent PCNL at Hacettepe University Hospital. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 91 patients with a solitary kidney and 2177 patients with bilateral kidneys treated by PCNL. We compared the success and complication rates between patients with solitary and bilateral kidneys. Additionally, we determined the factors affecting success and serious complications for patients with a solitary kidney. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 17.0 for Windows. The threshold for statistical significance was set at P <.05. RESULTS: The median age was 48 years and 61 patients (67%) were male. The median stone burden was 400 mm2. The stones were located in the renal pelvis in 27 patients (30%), in calices in 50 patients (55%), and in the staghorn in 14 patients (15%). A total of 57 patients (62%) underwent a left-side surgery. The comparison between solitary and nonsolitary patients showed that stone free, transfusion, and postoperative urinary tissue infection rates were similar. Complication rates, postoperative JJ stent requirements, and length of hospital stay were statistically higher in patients with a solitary kidney. The presence of a staghorn stone, the stone number (single-multiple), and male gender were found to have a negative impact on success. The existence of upper-pole stones was found to be the only factor that led to serious complications (Clavien 3-4). CONCLUSION: PCNL is an effective but more complicated option in patients with a solitary kidney, with stone-free rates similar to patients with bilateral kidneys.

Renal Autotransplantation at Three Academic Institutions in Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to present the experience of 3 institutions performing renal autotransplantation (RAT) and to discuss surgical techniques employed and the results in the light of the medical literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14 patients (11 male and 3 female) with a mean age of 47 ± 8 years (35-61 years), who underwent RAT procedure at 3 different institutions between October 2006 and November 2014, in Turkey, were evaluated retrospectively. Indications for RAT procedure are ureteral avulsion, renal artery aneurysm and intimal dissection caused by percutaneous transluminal renal artery angioplasty (PTRA). Twelve patients with ureteral avulsion, 1 patient with renal artery aneurysm and 1 patient with intimal dissection caused by PTRA were followed-up for 103 months. Seven (50%) open and 7 (50%) laparoscopic nephrectomies were performed. Nine patients (64.3%) were right-sided and 5 patients (35.7%) were left-sided. Complications of grade III and above as per Clavien-Dindo classification were assessed. RESULTS: Mean time from injury to RAT was 21.2 ± 40.1 days. However, 5 (35.7%) patients were treated on the same day of the injury. As per Clavien-Dindo classification, 2 (14.2%) grade IVa and 1 (7.1%) grade IIIa complications were reported. However, no significant correlation was observed between the complications and graft loss regarding type and side of the nephrectomy performed (p = 0.462 and p = 0.505, respectively) and timing of the intervention (p = 0.692). CONCLUSION: RAT is a safe procedure in combination with minimally invasive laparoscopic technique in carefully selected patients; however, it requires expertise and proficiency in laparoscopy, reconstructive urology and transplantation. Nevertheless RAT should be considered as the last resort, when other modalities fail.

Kidney transplantation for end-stage renal disease secondary to familial Mediterranean fever.

Although kidney transplantation (KT) is widely used for treating renal amyloidosis secondary to familial Mediterranean fever (FMF), data concerning transplant outcome are limited and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of KT in patients with amyloidosis secondary to FMF. Kidney transplantation outcome in 24 patients with FMF was compared to that in 72 controls matched for age, gender of recipient, and type of the donor that underwent KT due to end-stage renal disease (ESRD) not caused by FMF. Mean follow-up time was 80.3 ± 55.1 months in the FMF group, vs. 86.5 ± 47.6 months in the control group. Death-censored graft survival at five and 10 yr in the FMF group was 95.8% and 78.4%, respectively, and was comparable to that in the control group. In the FMF group, five- and 10-yr patient survival (87.5 and 65.6%) was shorter than in the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. The findings show that long-term outcome of KT in the patients with amyloidosis secondary to FMF was comparable to that in patients with ESRD not caused by FMF. Recurrence of amyloidosis in the allograft, gastrointestinal intolerance, and fatal infections remain as major complications during the post-transplant period.

Primary sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma of kidney with variant histomorphologic features: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.

The authors present two cases of primary sclerosing epithelioid fibrosarcoma (SEF) of the kidney. Both patients had a mass in the upper part of the left kidney without any primary extrarenal neoplastic lesions. Grossly, the tumors were solid masses both measuring 7.5 cm in the greatest diameter. Histologically, one of the lesions exhibited a predominantly lobular growth of round or oval small uniform epithelioid cells in variable cellularity. Circular zones of crowded tumor cells alternating with hypocellular collagenous tissue in a concentric fashion around entrapped native renal tubules were distinctive. The second case was distinctive with significant cytological atypia in the neoplastic cells and prominent reactive proliferations in the trapped renal tubules. Immunohistochemically, vimentin, bcl-2 and MUC4 were diffusely positive in both. They were negative for S-100 protein, CD34, and desmin, whereas CD99 were positive in one lesion. Fluorescence in situ hybridization assay using dual staining probes detected EWSR1-CREB3L1 fusion in each lesion, which is characteristic molecular findings of SEF. One patient presented widespread distant metastases at the time of diagnosis. In the other, no tumor deposits were detected other than primary. Both patients have been alive with 30 and 10 month follow-ups, respectively. These tumors are 6th and 7th cases of primary renal SEF in the literature confirmed by FISH study, which exhibit unique and remarkable histomorphologic features.

Post-transplant hypertension in pediatric kidney transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of post-transplant hypertension (HT) and to assess the blood pressure (BP) of transplanted children with possible risk factors. METHODS: Office and ambulatory blood pressure measurements were performed for each patient. RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included in the study, including 13 patients with newly diagnosed untreated HT according to the results of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Fourteen patients were on antihypertensive medication, but only in five of these patients was the HT under control; nine patients receiving antihypertensive drugs had uncontrolled HT. Of the 29 patients, two had normotension without any antihypertensive drug(s). Standard deviation scores (SDS) of the nocturnal diastolic BP of the ABPM were positively correlated with the prednisolone dosage per kilogram (p = 0.013, r = 0.45) and negatively correlated with the time period after transplantation (p = 0.024, r = -0.41). Similarly, the SDS of the 24-h diastolic BP was positively correlated with the prednisolone dosage per kilogram (p = 0.006, r = 0.50) and negatively correlated with the time period after transplantation (p = 0.016, r = -0.44). Patients with alternate-day steroid treatment had lower nocturnal systolic (p = 0.016), nocturnal diastolic (p = 0.001) and 24-h diastolic (p = 0.008) SDS when compared to those receiving daily steroid medication. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of HT among children after renal transplantation was high among our patient cohort, and steroids had direct impact on nocturnal and diastolic BP.

Blood pressure measurements, blood pressure variability and endothelial function in renal transplant recipients.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Hypertension is an important cardiovascular risk factor in renal transplant recipients. Elevated blood pressure variability (BPV) during 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) is associated with increased risk of target organ damage and cardiovascular events, independent of mean blood pressure levels. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between endothelial function, blood pressure levels obtained by various measurement methods, and BPV in renal transplant recipients. METHODS: In total, 73 hypertensive renal transplant recipients were included in the study. Office blood pressure measurements, central blood pressure measurements, home blood pressure measurements and 24-h ABPM were obtained from the subjects. BPV was calculated using the average real variability index. All patients underwent brachial flow-mediated vasodilatation tests. Predictive values of blood pressures obtained by different measurement techniques and BPV on endothelial functions were investigated. RESULTS: Endothelial dysfunction was present in 68.5% of the patients. No difference was found between the group with and without endothelial dysfunction with regard to office systolic or diastolic blood pressure, central blood pressure or home systolic blood pressure. In the group with endothelial dysfunction, 24-h ambulatory systolic blood pressure and night-time ambulatory systolic blood pressure were higher. In patients with endothelial dysfunction, the 24-h systolic, diastolic and mean BPV were all higher. There was also a negative correlation between the percentage of flow-mediated vasodilatation with 24-h mean and systolic BPV. CONCLUSION: Patients with endothelial dysfunction had significantly higher ambulatory blood pressure values and higher BPV. There was a significant negative correlation between endothelial function and BPV.

Effect of sildenafil citrate on penile weight and physiology of cavernous smooth muscle in a post-radical prostatectomy model of erectile dysfunction in rats.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the gross morphometric changes and in vitro responses of the corpus cavernosus of rats treated with sildenafil citrate after cavernous neurotomy. METHODS: The animals were divided into 3 groups. Group 1 consisted of sham-operated rats (n = 16); group 2 consisted of rats that underwent bilateral cavernous neurotomy (BCN) (n = 16); and group 3 consisted of rats that underwent unilateral cavernous neurotomy (UCN) (n = 16). Each group of rats was further classified into 2 subgroups according to whether or not they received sildenafil treatment. The rats were killed on postoperative day 14, and penectomy was performed. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling (TUNEL), and organ-bath studies were evaluated by Phenylephrine (Phe), acetylcholine (Ach), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and electrical field stimulation (EFS) responses. RESULTS: Penile weight in the BCN group was significantly lower than that of sham-treated group. UCN allowed much more preservation of penile weight compared with that in the sham-treated group. Sildenafil citrate treatment had positive effects on penile weight of both BCN (P = .003) and UCN (P = .004) groups. BCN increased smooth muscle apoptosis when compared with the sham or UCN group. Sildenafil citrate had a positive effect on the apoptotic index. In the BCN group, responses to Phe, Ach, SNP, and EFS decreased significantly, and sildenafil treatment corrected the responses to Phe, Ach, and SNP. CONCLUSIONS: Our experimental study results support that early and daily sildenafil citrate treatment has a protective affect on the adrenergic and cholinergic systems, which play a role in erectile function.

Low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma metastatic to the prostate.

Spindle cell tumors of the prostate are rare and mostly primary. We report a case of retroperitoneal sarcoma, which is a low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma involving the prostate secondarily by metastasis. The patient was a 44-year-old man who presented with progressing abdominal pain. Computed tomography showed a large retroperitoneal mass. The patient underwent surgical resection. Intraoperatively, a second smaller mass was identified in the pelvis and was left untouched. The resected retroperitoneal specimen and prostate transrectal needle biopsies taken afterward showed the same mesenchymal tumor. Radical cystoprostatectomy was performed. Metatatic tumor involving the prostate, bilateral seminal vesicles, and base of the urinary bladder was found. Microscopic examination revealed typical histomorphologic features of low-grade fibromyxoid sarcoma. The patient is without evidence of disease 3 years postoperatively. This case is the first documentation of metastatic sarcoma to the prostate and expands the list of malignant mesenchymal neoplasms that may involve this organ.