HoLEP does not affect the overall sexual function of BPH patients： a prospective study

We aimed to prospectively evaluate the influence of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate （HoLEP） on the overall postoperative sexual function of benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） patients with lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS） and to explore the relationship between sexual function and LUTS. From January 2010 to December 2011, sixty sexually active consecutive patients with BPH who underwent HoLEP were prospectively enrolled in the study. All patients filled out the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire （MSHQ） for evaluation of their overall sexual function and the International Prostatic Symptom Score （IPSS） for pre- and post-operative 6 months evaluation of their voiding symptoms. The LUTS and sexual function changes were statistically analyzed. The preoperative and 6 months postoperative status of the patients was compared using uroflowmetry and IPSS questionnaires. The analysis revealed significant improvements following HoLEP. Among the sub-domains of the MSHQ, postoperative sexual function, including erection, ejaculation, sexual satisfaction, anxiety or sexual desire, did not significantly change after HoLEP （P 〉 0.05）, whereas satisfaction scores decreased slightly due to retrograde ejaculation in 38 patients （63.3%）. Sexual satisfaction improved significantly and was correlated with the improvements of all LUTS and the quality-of-life （QoL） domains in IPSS after surgery （QoL; relative risk [RR]： -0.293; total symptoms, RR： -0.411; P 〈 0.05）. The nocturia score was associated with the erectile function score （odds ratio 0.318, P = 0.029）. The change in ejaculatory scores did not show significant association with IPSS scores. HoLEP did not influence overall sexual function, including erectile function. In addition, sexual satisfaction improved in proportion with the improvement of LUTS.

Chronic prostatitis in Korea:a nationwide postal survey of practicing urologists in 2004

Aim： To examine the diagnosis and treatment of chronic prostatitis by means of a nationwide postal survey of practicing urologists in 2004. Methods： A random sample of 850 Korean urologists from the Korean Urological Association Registry of Physicians were asked to complete a questionnaire that explored practicing characteristics, attitudes and diagnostic and treatment strategies in the management of chronic prostatitis. Results： Of the 850 questionnaires sent, 302 were returned （response rate 35.5 %） and 275 were induced in the final analysis. More than 50 % believed in a multifactorial etiology for chronic prostatitis and 52 % considered chronic abacterial prostatitis to be bacterial in nature. For routine diagnostic assessment, the most commonly used tests were reported to be urinalysis （95.3 %）, analysis of expressed prostatic secretions （89.5 %） and digital rectal examination （81.1%）. Only a few urologists use specific lower urinary tract cultures. Symptom assessment according to the National Institute of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index was less frequently used （12.7 %）. First choices for therapy included antibiotics （96.4 %）, alpha-blockers （71.6 %） and sitz baths （70.5 %）. If unsuccessful, urologists frequently continued to prescribe a second course of either alpha-blockers （69.5 %） or antibiotics （57.8 %）. Conclusion： These data provide a picture of current practice regarding the management of chronic prostatitis in Korea. The diagnostic and treatment practices for prostatitis do not follow standard textbook algorithms. Further studies are needed to elucidate the etiology and pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis and to establish guidelines for its diagnosis and treatment.

The effects of androgen on penile reflex, erectile response to electrical stimulation and penile NOS activity in the rat

Aim: To investigate the effects of androgen on penile erection through the reflex arc and penile corpus cavernosum,and study the respective roles of testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in penile erection in rats. Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were castrated and implanted with silastic brand silicone tube containing T or DHT, with orwithout daily injections of a 5α-reductase inhibitor, MK-434. The penile reflex, erectile response to electrical stimula-tion (ES) of the cavernous nerves and penile nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) activity were observed under varying andro-genic status. Results: Penile reflex erection in the rat was, on the whole, related to serum T levels though the numberof glans engorgements was not. The number of cups and flips was significantly decreased by castration, and restoredto the control level by T supplementation. Erectile response to ES and NOS activity in penile tissue was also related toserum T level. T administered together with a 5α-reductase inhibitor no longer restored the number of reflex erection,erectile responses to ES and NOS activity in the corpus cavernosum. Conclusion: Androgen influenced the penile re-flex arc, corpus cavernosum, and the perineal striated muscles. In reflex erection, erectile response to ES and penileNOS activity in the rat, T seems to be first converted to DHT, the more active androgen modality. (Asian J Androl1999 Dec; 1: 169-174)

Studies on self-esteem of penile size in young Koreanmilitary men

Aim: To investigate the flaccid and stretched penile sizes of young Korean men and their complexes or pride about their penile size. Methods: After an explanation and agreement to the purpose and methods of this study, 123 Korean men in their early 20's visiting the Jinhae Military General Hospital were included in the study. The flaccid penile length, flaccid mid-shaft circumference, stretched length and pre-pubic bone fat pad depth were measured in a warm comfortable environment. The accuracy the subjects assessed their penile size was investigated by asking them to rate their penile size, as 'very small', 'small', 'normal', 'large' or 'very large'. All subjects were asked to complete the Minnesota multiphasic personality inventory (MMPI) test. Results: The mean flaccid length, flaccid circumference, stretched length and fat pad depth of the 123 subjects were (6.9 ± 0.8) cm, (8.5 ±1.1) cm, (9.6 ± 0.8) cm and (1.1 ± 0.4) cm, respectively. The answer distribution on penile size was 1 (0.8 %) 'very small', 29 (23.6 %) 'small', 86 (69.9 %) 'normal', 6 (4.9 %) 'large' and 1 (0.8 %) 'very large'. Subjects who underestimated their penile size showed significantly higher scores on the hypochondriasis (Hs), depression (D) and psychasthenia (Pt) subscales of the MMPI than those in the Unbiased Group (P<0.05). Conclusion: In consultation, with a patient requesting penile augmentation, the urologist should consider the psychologic attitude of the patient to his penile size.

Treatment preferences in men with erectile dysfunction： an open label study in Korean men switching from sildenafil citrate to tadalafil

To evaluate patient preferences for sildenafil citrate or tadalafil （PDE-5 inhibitors available for the treatment of erectile dysfunction [ED]） and assess potential reasons for these preferences. Methods： This open-label study was conducted on Korean men taking sildenafil, at least 6 weeks prior to study entry, for ED. Following screening, patients continued sildenafil treatment for 4 weeks, then after a 1-week washout period, switched to tadalafil for 8 weeks. Patients then continued with their treatment of choice during an extension phase. Psychosocial factors （time concern, spontaneity, sexual self-confidence） were evaluated using Psychological and Interpersonal Relation- ship Scales （PAIRS）, while timing of dose to sexual attempt patterns were assessed from patient diaries. Results： The present study enrolled 160 Korean men （mean age 55 years） with prior median sildenafil use of 585 days. During the extension phase, 73.7% of patients elected to take tadalafil, whereas 26.3% chose sildenafil （P 〈 0.001）. After switching from sildenafil to tadalafil, mean PAIRS time concern scores decreased from 2.54 to 2.42 （P = 0.002）, with no statistically significant differences observed between the sildenafil and tadalafil assessment phases in sexual spontaneity and self-confidence scores. Sexual attempts made 〉 4 h to 〈 36 h post-dose occurred in 4.5% of patients during the sildenafil assessment phase compared with 17.5% during the tadalafil assessment phase. Conclusion： After experiencing both sildenafil and tadalafil, the majority of patients exhibited a preference for tadalafil. This preference might be influenced by psychosocial factors, such as decreased time concerns, and a broader window of opportunity available for sexual activity.

Are age, anthropometry and components of metabolic syndrome-risk factors interrelated with lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with erectile dysfunction？ A prospective study

Aim： To evaluate the effects of metabolic profiles on lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS） in men with erectile dysfunction （ED）. Methods： A total of 75 impotent men aged 25-75 years old （mean 58.1 years） were included in the study on a prospective basis. Patients were evaluated with a complete history, physical examination, anthropometry and metabolic profiles. LUTS were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score （IPSS）. Results： Overall, there was no correlation between the IPSS and continuous parameters. However, when continuous variables were categorized, some parameters were significantly associated with LUTS. Patients with triglyceride level of 150 mg/dL or higher had more severe symptoms than those with tiglyceride levels less than 150 mg/dL （19.4±2.4 vs. 14.3±1.1, P = 0.033）. When 40 mg/dL was chosen as the high-density lipoprotein （HDL）-cholesterol cut-off level, the IPSS was significantly different between the two groups divided by 40 mg/dL （19.4±2.6 for HDL-cholesterol 〈 40 mg/dL vs. 14.4±1.0 for HDL-cholesterol 2 40 mg/dL, P = 0.042）. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve （AUROCC） of triglyceride was 65.7% （95% confidence interval [CI], 52.6%-82.3%; P = 0.034） for severe LUTS. However, the AUROCC for ＇HDL-cholesterol＇ was not significant （area, 65.4%; 95% CI, 48.2%-82.7%; P = 0.062）. No other factors were determined to be significant in this regard. Conclusion： The results of the present study indicate that some metabolic profiles might influence LUTS in men with ED.

Efficacy and safety of oral SK3530 for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in Korean men： a multicenter, randomized, doubleblind, placebo-controlled, fixed dose, parallel group clinical trial

Aim： To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SK3530, a newly developed type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor （PDE5I）, in Korean men with erectile dysfunction （ED）. Methods： A total of 119 patients were randomized at 10 centers in Korea to receive either SK3530 （50, 100, or 150 mg; n = 89） or placebo （n = 30） taken 1 h before anticipated sexual activity for an 8-week period. The patients were evaluated at baseline and 4 and 8 weeks after beginning therapy. Efficacy was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function （IIEF）, Sexual Encounter Profile （SEP）, and the Global Assessment Question （GAQ）. Safety was analyzed by adverse events, laboratory values and vital signs. Results： At the end of the study, all the primary and secondary efficacy end-points were statistically significantly improved by SK3530 compared with placebo （P 〈 0.05）. Of the 89 patients in the treatment arm, 36 （42.3 %） achieved normal erectile function after treatment, including six patients with severe ED. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 32 patients. The most common adverse events were flushing, headache, dizziness and eye redness （10.9%, 7.6%, 2.5% and 2.5%, respectively）, and most were mild. Only two patients discontinued treatment during the study period because of adverse events. Conclusion： The results of our phase Ⅱ study have confirmed the efficacy and safety of SK3530 in a broad population of men with ED of various etiologies and severity. The optimal doses in terms of efficacy and safety were determined to be 50 mg and 100 mg, respectively.

Reasons for discontinuation of sildenafil citrate after successful restoration of erectile function

Aim: To investigate the reasons for discontinuations of sildenafil after the successful restoration of erectile function. Methods: One hundred fifty six patients, whose scores of erectile function domain of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) increased to 26 or more after sildenafil medication, were included in this study. Six-months after the first sildenafil prescription, compliance to medication and the reason for discontinuity were reviewed by chart or surveyed by telephone. Results: Fifty-four (34.6%) of the 156 successfully treated patients discontinued sildenafil medication. The r easons for discontinuance were shortcomings in the partners' or patients' emotional readiness for the restoration of sexual life after long-term abstinence (37.0%), fear of possible side effects (18.5 %), recovery of spontaneous erection (14.8 %), postponement of ED treatment because of co morbid disease treatment (11.1%), unwillingness to accept drug-dependent erection (7.4%), high drug cost (3.7%), unacceptability of planned sexual activity (3.7%) and lack of sexual interesi (3.7%). Conclusion: The reasons for discontinuing sildenafil medication were primarily emotional or relationship-oriented, which indicates that simple recovery of a rigid erection is insufficient to restore sexual activity. More education about the effects of drug and the counseling of both partners is recommended to promote the successful recovery of sexual activity.

Potentiation of apomorphine effect on sildenafil-induced penile erection in conscious rabbits

Aim: To investigate a possible potentiation effect of apomorphine (APO) on sildenafil-induced penile erection in the conscious rabbit. Methods: Erection of male New Zealand White rabbits (3.5-4.0 kg, n=12) was assessed by measuring the length of the uncovered penile mucosa and the duration of erection before and after intravenous administration of agents. After injection of APO (0, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.4 mg/kg), sildenafil was administered intravenously in a dose-response manner (0.5, 1 and 5 mg/kg). In additional experiments, the effect of increasing doses of sildenafil in combination with APO on systemic blood pressure was evaluated. Results: Systemic administration of sildenafil induced a dose-dependent increase in the penile length. Intravenous injection of APO alone did not produce any change in the penile length, while significantly enhanced the penile erection induced by sildenafil. The co-administration of 0.1 mg/kg of APO and 1 mg/kg of sildenafil was found to be the most effective combination in producing penile erection. Intravenous administration of sildenafil caused a concentration-dependent decrease in systemic blood pressure, but no additional decrease was observed with co-administration of APO. Conclusion: APO enhances the penile erection induced by sildenafil in the conscious rabbit without causing an additional decrease in blood pressure.

Role of inhibiting LIM-kinase2 in improving erectile function through suppression of corporal fibrosis in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury

We evaluated whether LIM-kinase 2 inhibitor （LIMK2i） could improve erectile function by suppressing corporal fibrosis through the normalization of the Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase 1 （ROCK1）/LIMK2/Cofilin pathway in a rat model of cavernous nerve crush injury （CNCl）. Sixty 11-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into five groups： sham surgery （S）, CNCl （I）, and CNCl treated with low-dose （L）, medium-dose （M）, and high-dose （H） LIMK2i. The L, M, and H groups were treated with a daily intraperitoneal injection of LIMK2i （2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 mg kg-1 body weight, respectively） for 1 week after surgery. The erectile response was assessed using electrostimulation at 1 week, postoperatively. Penile tissues were processed for Masson＇s trichrome staining, double immunofluorescence, and Western blot assay. Erectile responses in the H group improved compared with the I group, while the M group showed only partial improvement. A significantly decreased smooth muscle/collagen ratio and an increased content of fibroblasts positive for phospho-/IMK2 were noted in the I group. The M and H groups revealed significant improvements in histological alterations and the dysregulated LIMK2/Cofilin pathway, except for LIMK2 phosphorylation in the M group. The inhibition of LIMK2 did not affect the ROCK1 protein expression. The content of fibroblasts positive for phospho-LIMK2 in the H group returned to the level found in the S group, whereas it did not in the M group. However, the L group did not exhibit such improvements. Our data suggest that the inhibition of LIMK2, particularly with administration of 10.0 mg kg^-1 body weight LIMK2i, can improve corporal fibrosis and erectile function by normalizing the LIMK2/Cofilin pathway.

Role of Jun amino-terminal kinase （JNK） in apoptosis of cavernosal tissue during acute phase after cavernosal nerve injury

The present study aimed to identify which mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 or Jun amino-terminal kinase [JNK]） was involved in cavernosal apoptosis during the acute phase after cavernosal nerve crush injury （CNCI） in rats to ameliorate apoptosis of cavernosal tissue, such as smooth muscle （SM）. A total of twenty 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into two groups： sham surgery （S） and CNCI （I）. The I group approximated the clinical situation of men undergoing radical prostatectomy using two 60-second compressions of both CNs with a microsurgical vascular clamp. At 2-week postinjury, erectile response was assessed using electrostimulation. Penile tissues were harvested for immunohistochemistry analysis of alpha-SM actin （（x-SMA）, western blot analysis, and double immunofluorescence analysis of （x-SMA and phosphorylated p38 or JNK, as well as double immunofluorescent of TUNEL and phosphorylated p38 or JNK. At 2-week postinjury, the I group had a significantly lower intracavernous pressure （ICP）/mean arterial pressure （MAP） and a lower area under the curve （AUC）/MAP than the S group. The I group also exhibited decreased immunohistochemical staining of α-SMA, an increase in the number of SM cells positive for phosphorylated JNK, an increased number of apoptotic cells positive for phosphorylated JNK, and increased JNK phosphorylation compared with the S group. However, there was no significant difference in p38 phosphorylation expression or the number of SM cells positive for phosphorylated p38 between the two groups. In conclusion, our data suggest that JNK, not p38, is involved in cavernosal apoptosis during the acute phase after partial CN damage.

Patient-reported ejaculatory function and satisfaction in men with lower urinary tract symptoms/benign prostatic hyperplasia

This study aimed to investigate perceived ejaculatory function/satisfaction before treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms （LUTS）/benign prostatic hyperplasia （BPH） and to identify associations between specific categories of ejaculatory dysfunctions （EjDs） and LUTS. A total of 1574 treatment-naive men with LUTS/BPH were included in this study. All patients underwent routine evaluation for LUTS/BPH including the International Index of Erectile Function and a 5-item questionnaire developed to assess ejaculatory volume/force/pain/satisfaction/latency time. Patients who had sexual intercourse over the past 4 weeks were classified as sexually active group. A total of 783 patients were categorized as sexually active group. Decreased ejaculatory volume and force were reported by 53.4% and 55.7% of 783 sexually active men, respectively, There was a strong correlation between ejaculatory volume and force. Ejaculatory pain/discomfort, premature ejaculation （PE）, and delayed ejaculation （DE） were reported in 41,0%, 16.3%, and 41.4% of the patients, respectively. Over 40.0% of men without decreased ejaculation volume/force were satisfied with ejaculatory function, whereas approximately 6.0% of men with decreased volume/force were satisfied with ejaculatory function. About 30.0% of men with decreased volume/force had orgasmic dysfunction, while approximately 10.0% of men without decreased volume/force did. Decreased ejaculatory volume or force was associated with LUTS severity after adjusting for other influential factors including testosterone level, erectile function, and prostate size on ultrasonography, but PE or DE or ejaculatory pain/discomfort was not. In conclusion, a considerable portion of men with LUTS/BPH appear to have a variety of EjDs. Ejaculatory volume/force and satisfaction/orgasm do not always appear to be concordant. Ejaculatory volume or force is independently associated with LUTS severity, whereas PE or DE or ejaculatory pain/discomfort is not.

The effects of single versus combined therapy using LIM-kinase 2 inhibitor and type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor on erectile function in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction

We aimed to determine whether combination of LIM-kinase 2 inhibitor(LIMK2i)and phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitor(PDE5i)could restore erectile function through suppressing cavernous fibrosis and improving caver nous apoptosis in a rat model of cavernous nerve crush injury(CNCI).Seventy 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were equally distributed into five groups as follows:(1)sham surgery(Group S),(2)CNCI(Group I),(3)CNCI treated with daily intraperitoneal administration of 10.0 mg kg^-1 LIMK2i(Group I+L),(4)daily oral administration of 20.0 mg kg-1 udenafil,PDE5i(Group I+U),and(5)combined administration of 10.0 mg kg^-1 LIMK2i and 20.0 mg kg^-1 udenafil(Group I+L+U).Rats in Groups I+L,I+U,and I+L+U were treated with respective regimens for 2 weeks after CNCI.At 2 weeks after surgery,erectile response was assessed using electrostimulation.Penile tissues were processed for histological studies and western blot.Group I showed lower intracavernous pressure(ICP)/mean arterial pressure(MAP),lower area under the curve(AUC)/MAP,decreased immunohistochemical staining for alpha-smooth muscle(SM)actin,higher apoptotic index,lower SM/collagen ratio,increased phospho-LIMK2-positive fibroblasts,decreased protein kinase B/endothelial nitric oxide synthase(Akt/eNOS)phosphorylation,increased LIMK2/cofilin phosphorylation,and increased protein expression of fibronectin,compared to Group S.In all three treatment groups,erectile responses,protein expression of fibronectin,and SM/collagen ratio were improved.Group I+L+U showed greater improvement in erectile response than Group I+L.SM content and apoptotic index in Groups I+U and I+L+U were improved compared to those in Group I.However,Group I+L did not show a significant improvement in SM content or apoptotic index.The number of phospho-LIMK2-positive fibroblasts was normalized in Groups I+L and I+L+U,but not in Group I+U.Akt/eNOS phosphorylation was improved in Groups I+U and I+L+U,but not in Group I+L.LIMK2/cofilin phosphorylation was improved in Groups I+L and I+L+U,but not in Group I+U.Our data indicate that combined treatment of LIMK2i and PDE5i immediate after CN injury could improve erectile function by improving cavernous apoptosis or eNOS phosphorylation and suppressing cavernous fibrosis.Rectification of Akt/eNOS and LIMK2/cofilin pathways appears to be involved in their improvement.