Relationship between endothelial dysfunction and nocturia with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: There are limited data on whether there is an association between nocturia, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and endothelial dysfunction. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether there is an association between nocturia and endothelial dysfunction in patients with BPH. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty-two men with a diagnosis of BPH and 42 age-matched controls were enrolled. All patients were assessed for frequency and duration of nocturia, and prostate volume, completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, and underwent brachial flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) evaluation. RESULTS: There was a negative correlation between FMD and frequency of nocturia (r = -0.879, p < 0.0001). Moreover, there was a negative correlation between duration of nocturia and FMD (r = -0.890, p < 0.0001). In addition, FMD was significantly decreased in the BPH group compared with the control group (6.0 ± 0.09 to 7.8 ± 0.10%) (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In patients with BPH, nocturia is associated with endothelial dysfunction and may be an insidious risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Hereditary behavior of varicocele.

The inheritance of varicoceles and the potential transmission to first-degree relatives has rarely been investigated. In the present study, we examined the first-degree relatives of men with known varicocele to reveal the familial risk for varicocele. Of the patients with clinical varicocele who presented with infertility, testicular pain, or asymmetrical swelling of the scrotum between June 1, 2008 and May 31, 2009, 49 agreed to have their available first-degree relatives contacted for screening of varicoceles (n = 66). A cohort of 100 consecutive men who applied to the department of internal medicine between 2008 and 2009 for checkup procedure without a history of subfertility or a varicocele were used as a control population. Of the 92 first-degree relatives contacted, 66 (71.7%) decided to participate in this study. Of these 66 men, 21 (33.9%) had a palpable varicocele on physical examination. Compared with a control population (12%), the prevalence of palpable varicocele in the first-degree relatives of patients with known varicocele (33.9%) was approximately 3-fold greater (P < .005). Among the first-degree relatives, 4 (21.1%) of 19 fathers and 17 (36.2%) of 47 brothers had palpable varicocele. As a conclusion, a significant increase in varicocele prevalence is present in the first-degree relatives of men with known varicoceles. Patients should be counseled about this increased risk in male relatives of patients.

Protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester on cyclosporine A-induced nephrotoxicity in rats.

INTRODUCTION: Cyclosporine A, an immunosuppressive agent, is widely used after organ transplantation such as the liver and kidney. However, its widespread use is restricted because it has serious toxic effects on the kidney. Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is a natural product with potent anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant activities, and it attenuates inflammation and lipid peroxidation induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of CAPE on cyclosporine A (CsA)-induced nephrotoxicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Rats were divided into four groups and treated with saline, CAPE, CsA, and CsA + CAPE. Control rats were given saline; the CAPE group was given CAPE (10 micromol/kg/day) for 11 days intraperitoneally; the CsA group was given CsA (15 mg/kg/day) for 10 days subcutaneously; and the CsA+CAPE group was given CAPE for 11 days, and rats were s.c. injected with CsA in 0.5 ml of saline once a day for 10 days at the same time. RESULTS: The administration of CsA alone resulted in higher myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) than in the control. The enzyme activities except CAT in rats treated with CAPE alone were not changed. CAPE treatment prevented the increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) and increased CAT activity more, but did not affect the activities of MPO and SOD enzymes. DISCUSSION: CsA causes renal injury and CAPE prevents CAT- and lipid peroxidation-mediated nephrotoxicity via inhibition of oxidative process.