Observation of therapeutic effect on chronic non-bacterial prostatitis treated with warm needling moxibustion

Objective To observe the clinical effects of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis treated with warm needling moxibustion. Methods One hundred and twenty-five cases were randomly divided into warm needling moxibustion group （42 cases）, acupuncture group （41 cases） and western medicine group （42 cases）. Of which, in warm needling moxibustion group, acupuncture combined with warming acupuncture were provided①puncture on Shènshū（肾俞 BL 23）, Gānshū （肝俞BL 18） and Zhìbiān （秩边BL 54） without retention of needles,②Guānyuán （关元CV 4）, Zhō ngjí （ 中极CV 3）, Yīnlíngquán （ 阴陵 GB 34） and Sānyīnjiāo （三阴交 SP 6） ,with warming acupuncture, once a day; in acupuncture group, the prescriptions and needling technique were the same as those in warm needling moxibustion group, without moxibustion; in western medicine group, Cernilton was applied twice a day, one pill for each time. After one course treatment, the therapeutic effects and NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index （NIH-CPSI） of 3 groups were compared. Results The total effective rate was 88. 10% in warm needling moxibustion group, 63.41% in acupuncture group, and 66.67% in western medicine group. The clinical effect in warm needling moxibustion group was superior to that in either acupuncture group or western medicine group （both P〈0.05）. The score of NIH-CPSI was 11.92 ±7.11 in warm needling moxibustion group, 16.08±6.83 in acupuncture group, and 15.66±5.88 in western medicine group. The score of each group was obviously reduced （both P〈0.01 ） after treatments, in which, the reduction in warm needling moxibustion group was most obvious （both P〈0.0t）. Conclusion A good therapeutic effect of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis was received by warm needling moxibustion.

Clinical Analysis of Acupuncture Combined with Acupoint Injection for the Treatment of Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of acupuncture combined with acupoint injection on chronic nonbacterial prostatitis(CNP).Methods:A total of 72 CNP patients admitted between March 2022 and October 2023 were selected.The patients were randomly divided into two groups using a random number table.The combined treatment group(36 cases)received acupuncture combined with acupoint injection therapy,while the control group(36 cases)received conventional Western medicine treatment.The overall efficacy rate,symptom severity,prostatic fluid indicators,incidence of adverse reactions,and recurrence rates were compared.Results:The overall efficacy rate of the combined treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).After 10 days of treatment,the symptom severity score of the combined treatment group was higher than that of the control group,and the prostatic fluid indicators were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in the combined treatment group was lower than in the control group(P<0.05).During the follow-up period of 1-6 months,the recurrence rate in the combined treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:Acupuncture combined with acupoint injection can alleviate CNP disease symptoms,improve prostate function,and prevent post-treatment adverse reactions.It also has a lower recurrence risk and demonstrates excellent efficacy.

Granulomatous prostatitis after bacille Calmette-Guérin instillation resembles prostate carcinoma:A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Bacille Calmette-Guérin(BCG)instillation is recommended in patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer who have intermediate-risk and high-risk tumors.However,granulomatous prostatitis is a rare complication induced by BCG instillation,which can easily be misdiagnosed as prostate cancer.Here,we report a case of granulomatous prostatitis that resembled prostate cancer.CASE SUMMARY A 64-year-old Chinese man with bladder cancer received BCG instillation.Three days later,he stopped BCG instillation and received anti-infective therapy due to the urinary tract infection.Three months after BCG restart,he had rising total prostate-specific antigen(PSA)(9.14 ng/mL)and decreasing free PSA/total PSA(0.09).T2-weighted images of magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)showed a 28 mm×20 mm diffuse low signal abnormality in the right peripheral zone,which was markedly hyperintense on high b-value diffusion-weighted MRI and hypointense on apparent diffusion coefficient map images.Considering Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System score of 5 and possibility of prostate cancer,a prostate biopsy was conducted.Histopathology showed typical features of granulomatous prostatitis.The nucleic acid test for tuberculosis was positive.He was finally diagnosed with BCG-induced granulomatous prostatitis.Thereafter,he stopped BCG instillation and received anti-tuberculosis treatment.During 10 mo follow-up,he had no evidence of tumor recurrence or symptoms of tuberculosis.CONCLUSION Temporarily elevated PSA and high followed by low signal abnormality on diffusion-weighted MRI are important indicators of BCG-induced granulomatous prostatitis.

Marker Ki-67 is a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prognosis of prostate cancer based on two cohorts

BACKGROUND Prostate cancer(PCa)is a widespread malignancy,predominantly affecting elderly males,and current methods for diagnosis and treatment of this disease continue to fall short.The marker Ki-67(MKI67)has been previously demonstrated to correlate with the proliferation and metastasis of various cancer cells,including those of PCa.Hence,verifying the association between MKI67 and the diagnosis and prognosis of PCa,using bioinformatics databases and clinical data analysis,carries significant clinical implications.AIM To explore the diagnostic and prognostic efficacy of antigens identified by MKI67 expression in PCa.METHODS For cohort 1,the efficacy of MKI67 diagnosis was evaluated using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Genotype-Tissue Expression(GTEx)databases.For cohort 2,the diagnostic and prognostic power of MKI67 expression was further validated using data from 271 patients with clinical PCa.RESULTS In cohort 1,MKI67 expression was correlated with prostate-specific antigen(PSA),Gleason Score,T stage,and N stage.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve showed a strong diagnostic ability,and the Kaplan-Meier method demonstrated that MKI67 expression was negatively associated with the progression-free interval(PFI).The time-ROC curve displayed a weak prognostic capability for MKI67 expression in PCa.In cohort 2,MKI67 expression was significantly related to the Gleason Score,T stage,and N stage;however,it was negatively associated with the PFI.The time-ROC curve revealed the stronger prognostic capability of MKI67 in patients with PCa.Multivariate COX regression analysis was performed to select risk factors,including PSA level,N stage,and MKI67 expression.A nomogram was established to predict the 3-year PFI.CONCLUSION MKI67 expression was positively associated with the Gleason Score,T stage,and N stage and showed a strong diagnostic and prognostic ability in PCa.

Echinacoside attenuates glandular fibrosis in benign prostatic hyperplasia via inhibiting MKK6/MK2 signaling pathway

Background:Lower urinary tract symptoms commonly occur in the elderly population and seriously constrain the quality of life.Glandular fibrosis is an important pathobiological process in benign prostatic hyperplasia and is also a main inducing factor for benign prostatic hyperplasia-associated lower urinary tract symptoms.Cistanches species is an important herbal medicine resource and is traditionally used in ameliorating renal and prostatic defects.Methods:This study was to investigate the potential protective function of echinacoside(a bioactive compound from Cistanches)against prostatic fibrosis in mice and human benign prostatic hyperplasia epithelial-1 cell models.Results:It was found that echinacoside attenuated testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia and collagen deposition in mice,relieved prostate local inflammation and oxidative damage,and ameliorated prostatic epithelial-mesenchymal transition.Additionally,echinacoside inhibited the activation of the MKK6/MK2 signaling pathway both in vivo and in vitro.Conclusion:This study added new evidence for the anti-fibrotic function of echinacoside on the prostate and provided new insights for understanding its possible pharmacological mechanisms.

Genetic variation of circHIBADH enhances prostate cancer risk through regulating HNRNPA1-related RNA splicing

The current study aimed to investigate associations of circRNAs and related genetic variants with the risk of prostate cancer(PCa)as well as to elucidate biological mechanisms underlying the associations.We first compared expression levels of circRNAs between 25 paired PCa and adjacent normal tissues to identify riskassociated circRNAs by using the MiOncoCirc database.We then used logistic regression models to evaluate associations between genetic variants in candidate circRNAs and PCa risk among 4662 prostate cancer patients and 3114 healthy controls,and identified circHIBADH rs11973492 T>C as a significant risk-associated variant(odds ratio=1.20,95%confidence interval:1.08-1.34,P=7.06×10^(-4))in a dominant genetic model,which altered the secondary structure of the corresponding RNA chain.In the in silico analysis,we found that circHIBADH sponged and silenced 21 RNA-binding proteins(RBPs)enriched in the RNA splicing pathway,among which HNRNPA1 was identified and validated as a hub RBP using an external RNA-sequencing data as well as the in-house(four tissue samples)and publicly available single-cell transcriptomes.Additionally,we demonstrated that HNRNPA1 influenced hallmarks including MYC target,DNA repair,and E2F target signaling pathways,thereby promoting carcinogenesis.In conclusion,genetic variants in circHIBADH may act as sponges and inhibitors of RNA splicing-associated RBPs including HNRNPA1,playing an oncogenic role in PCa.

Unlocking the potential-vitamin D in prostate cancer prevention

Prostate cancer poses a significant health challenge globally,demanding proactive prevention strategies.This editorial explores the emerging role of vitamin D in prostate cancer prevention.While traditionally associated with bone health,vitamin D is increasingly recognized for its broader impact on immune function,cellular signaling,and cancer prevention.Epidemiological studies suggest an intriguing link between vitamin D deficiency and elevated prostate cancer risk,particularly in regions with limited sunlight exposure.Mechanistically,vitamin D regulates cellular processes,inhibiting unchecked cancer cell growth and bols-tering immune surveillance.Personalized prevention strategies,considering individual factors,are deemed essential for harnessing the full potential of vitamin D.To unlock this potential,the future calls for robust research,public awareness campaigns,dietary improvements,and vigilant medical guidance.Collaborative efforts are poised to pave the way toward a future where vitamin D stands as a sentinel in prostate cancer prevention,ushering in hope and improved health for men worldwide.

Research progress of miRNA and chronic nonbacterial prostatitis

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis(CNP),also the typeⅢprostatitis account for more than 90%of all patients with prostatitis.It has a long course of disease,easy to repeat,unknown pathogenesis and poor clinical efficacy.At present,some scholars at home and abroad have found that there is differential expression of microRNA(miRNA)in prostatic fluid of CNP patients or prostate tissue of CNP rat model.Intervention of miRNA expression can alleviate the symptoms and pharmacodynamics of CNP to a certain extent,which opens up a new way and direction for the pathogenesis and diagnosis and treatment of CNP.Therefore,this paper reviews the research progress of miRNA and CNP in recent years.

Analysis of risk factors leading to anxiety and depression in patients with prostate cancer after castration and the construction of a risk prediction model

BACKGROUND Cancer patients often suffer from severe stress reactions psychologically,such as anxiety and depression.Prostate cancer(PC)is one of the common cancer types,with most patients diagnosed at advanced stages that cannot be treated by radical surgery and which are accompanied by complications such as bodily pain and bone metastasis.Therefore,attention should be given to the mental health status of PC patients as well as physical adverse events in the course of clinical treatment.AIM To analyze the risk factors leading to anxiety and depression in PC patients after castration and build a risk prediction model.METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on the data of 120 PC cases treated in Xi'an People's Hospital between January 2019 and January 2022.The patient cohort was divided into a training group(n=84)and a validation group(n=36)at a ratio of 7:3.The patients’anxiety symptoms and depression levels were assessed 2 wk after surgery with the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS)and the Selfrating Depression Scale(SDS),respectively.Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting negative mood,and a risk prediction model was constructed.RESULTS In the training group,35 patients and 37 patients had an SAS score and an SDS score greater than or equal to 50,respectively.Based on the scores,we further subclassified patients into two groups:a bad mood group(n=35)and an emotional stability group(n=49).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that marital status,castration scheme,and postoperative Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score were independent risk factors affecting a patient's bad mood(P<0.05).In the training and validation groups,patients with adverse emotions exhibited significantly higher risk scores than emotionally stable patients(P<0.0001).The area under the curve(AUC)of the risk prediction model for predicting bad mood in the training group was 0.743,the specificity was 70.96%,and the sensitivity was 66.03%,while in the validation group,the AUC,specificity,and sensitivity were 0.755,66.67%,and 76.19%,respectively.The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed aχ^(2) of 4.2856,a P value of 0.830,and a C-index of 0.773(0.692-0.854).The calibration curve revealed that the predicted curve was basically consistent with the actual curve,and the calibration curve showed that the prediction model had good discrimination and accuracy.Decision curve analysis showed that the model had a high net profit.CONCLUSION In PC patients,marital status,castration scheme,and postoperative pain(VAS)score are important factors affecting postoperative anxiety and depression.The logistic regression model can be used to successfully predict the risk of adverse psychological emotions.

A comparative study of two methods for establishing a chronic non‑bacterial prostatitis model in rats‑

Objective:To compare the biological characteristics and stability of the chronic non-bacterial prostatitis(CNP)model in rats induced by the depot combined with estrogen induction method and the autoimmune response induction method.Methods:The CNP rat model was prepared using the depot combined with 17β-estradiol induction method in the depot hormone group and three concentrations of prostate protein homogenate at 40 mg/mL,20 mg/mL and 10 mg/mL in the autoimmune group,respectively.The degree of prostate tissue damage was evaluated by pathology(HE staining),and the immunoturbidimetric method was used to evaluate the contents of immunoglobulins IgA,IgM and IgG.ELISA was used to evaluate interleukin-1β(IL-1β),interleukin-10(IL-10),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and high-sensitivity-C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),and electrochemiluminescence was used to evaluate the expression level of testosterone(T),and the two model methods were compared.Results:Compared with the sham-operated group,the body mass of rats in both models was significantly lower in the depot hormone group and autoimmune group before extraction(P<0.01,P<0.01),and histopathology of the prostate in both models showed destruction of glandular structure and a significant increase in inflammatory cells.Compared with the depot hormone group and the autoimmune group,the histopathological changes and inflammatory pathological scores of prostate and the contents of immune indexes IgA,IgM and IgG were significantly different in the depot hormone group(P<0.05,P<0.05,P<0.05),and the levels of IL-1β,IL-10,TNF-α,hs-CRP and T were significantly changed in the autoimmune group(P<0.01).The comparison between the high,medium and low dose groups of the autoimmune group,in which the pathological changes in the medium dose of the autoimmune group were slightly better than the other two groups between the groups,but the changes in IL-1β,IL-10,TNF-α,hs-CRP,and T in the low dose of the autoimmune group were the most significant(P<0.05).Conclusion:The pathological tissues of the chronic non-bacterial prostatitis model established by the depot combined with estrogen induction method and the autoimmune response induction method both showed significant changes,and the comprehensive indexes indicated that the depot combined with estrogen induction method was a more appropriate modeling choice.

Transurethral prostate surgery in prostate cancer patients: A population-based comparative analysis of complication and mortality rates

Objective:Prostate cancer(PCa)patients might experience lower urinary tract symptoms as those diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Some of them might be treated for their lower urinary tract symptoms instead of PCa.We aimed to test the effect of PCa versus BPH on surgical outcomes after transurethral prostate surgery,namely complication and mortality rates.Methods:Within the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database(2011-2016),we identified patients who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate,photoselective vaporization,or laser enucleation.Patients were stratified according to postoperative diagnosis(PCa vs.BPH).Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models evaluated the predictors of perioperative morbidity and mortality.A formal test of interaction between diagnosis and surgical technique used was performed.Results:Overall,34542 patients were included.Of all,2008(5.8%)had a diagnosis of PCa.The multivariable logistic regression model failed to show statistically significant higher rates of postoperative complications in PCa patients(odds ratio:0.9,95%confidence interval:0.7-1.1;p=0.252).Moreover,similar rates of perioperative mortality(p=0.255),major acute cardiovascular events(p=0.581),transfusions(p=0.933),and length of stay of more than or equal to 30 days(p=0.174)were found.Additionally,all tests failed to show an interaction between post-operative diagnosis and surgical technique used.Conclusion:Patients diagnosed with PCa do not experience higher perioperative morbidity or mortality after transurethral prostate surgery when compared to their BPH counterparts.Moreover,the diagnosis seems to not influence surgical technique outcomes.

Aminated Cyclopropylmethylphosphonates as Potent Prostate Cancer Inhibitors

Inspired by the anti-pancreatic promising results of our novel aminated cyclopropylmethylphosphonate compounds, an in vitro anti-prostate cancer activity exploration of these compounds was carried out on human prostate cancer cell line PC-3, and showed potent inhibiting activity at low micromolar concentrations (with an IC50 of approximately 45 μM).

Treatment-induced neuroendocrine prostate cancer and de novo neuroendocrine prostate cancer:Identification,prognosis and survival,genetic and epigenetic factors

Neuroendocrine prostate cancer(NEPC)shows an aggressive behavior compared to prostate cancer(PCa),also known as prostate adenocarcinoma.Scanty foci in PCa can harbor genetic alternation that can arise in a heterogeneity of prostate cancer.NEPC may arise de novo or develop following androgen deprivation therapy(ADT).NEPC that arise following ADT has the nomenclature“treatmentemerging/induced NEPC(t-NEPC)”.t-NEPC would be anticipated in castration resistant prostate cancer(CRPC)and metastatic PCa.t-NEPC is characterized by low or absent androgen receptor(AR)expression,independence of AR signaling,and gain of neuroendocrine phenotype.t-NEPC is an aggressive metastatic tumor,develops from PCa in response to drug induced ADT,and shows very short response to conventional therapy.t-NEPC occurs in 10%-17%of patients with CRPC.De novo NEPC is rare and is accounting for less than 2%of all PCa.The molecular mechanisms underlying the trans-differentiation from CRPC to t-NEPC are not fully elucidated.Sphingosine kinase 1 plays a significant role in t-NEPC development.Although neuroendocrine markers:Synaptophysin,chromogranin A,and insulinoma associated protein 1(INSM1)are expressed in t-NEPC,they are non-specific for diagnosis,prognosis,and follow-up of therapy.t-NEPC shows enriched genomic alteration in tumor protein P53(TP53)and retinoblastoma 1(RB1).There are evidences suggest that t-NEPC might develop through epigenetic evolution.There are genomic,epigenetic,and transcriptional alterations that are reported to be involved in development of t-NEPC.Knock-outs of TP53 and RB1 were found to contribute in development of t-NEPC.PCa is resistant to immunotherapy,and at present there are running trials to approach immunotherapy for PCa,CRPC,and t-NEPC.

Application of prostate resectoscope in the treatment of massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate puncture

BACKGROUND Ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy is a reliable diagnostic procedure for prostate cancer diagnosis with minimal procedure-related trauma.However,complications,such as massive rectal bleeding may occur after the puncture.We hypothesized that using a transrectal resectoscope could help treat massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate punctures.AIM To identify a simple and effective treatment for massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate punctures.METHODS Patients requiring treatment for massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate punctures were included.A SIMAI resectoscope was inserted through the anus.Direct electrocoagulation was performed for superficial bleeding points.Part of the rectal mucosa or surface muscle layer was removed to expose deep bleeding points,followed by electrocoagulation.An electric cutting ring was used to compress and stop the bleeding for jet-like points before electrocoagulation.The fluid color in the drainage tube was monitored postoperatively for continuous bleeding.RESULTS Eight patients were included from 2012 to 2022.None of the patients with massive rectal bleeding after the transrectal prostate punctures improved with conventional conservative and blood transfusion treatments.Two patients had an inferior artery embolism,and digital subtraction angiography was ineffective.All patients received emergency transanal prostate resection,which immediately stopped the bleeding.Four days after the procedure,the patients had recovered and were discharged.CONCLUSION Using a transanal prostate resection instrument is a simple,safe,and effective method for treating massive rectal bleeding after transrectal prostate punctures.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, degree of lower urinary tract symptoms as predictors of erectile dysfunction in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients

Objective: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition of insufficient penile erection, consistently or recurrently, for sexual activity. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) induces transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which causes the transition of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells that affect ED. This study aimed to evaluate the roles of TNF-α, TGF-β, degree of lower urinary tract symptoms, and prostatic volume for the presence of ED in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.Methods: Our study performed an analytic observational retrospective cohort study using secondary data from four hospitals in Bali, Indonesia, including medical records and other administrative data. The sample was BPH patients with several history qualifications.Results: Our sample was 83 respondents, ranging from 50 years to 80 years, 61 respondents with ED and 22 with non-ED. The International Prostate Symptom Score showed a significant result, which indicates that ED is more common in patients with higher International Prostate Symptom Score (p=0.002). Moreover, the TNF-α of ≥43.9 pg/mg and TGF-β of ≥175.8 pg/mL were significantly associated with the presence of ED in BPH patients (p<0.0001). Despite these results, prostate volume is not significant with ED (p=0.947).Conclusion: TNF-α, TGF-β, and lower urinary tract symptoms severity can predict the occurrence of ED in BPH, while prostatic volume was not significant.

Aspartoacylase suppresses prostate cancer progression by blocking LYN activation

Background:Globally,despite prostate cancer(PCa)representing second most prevalent malignancy in male,the precise molecular mechanisms implicated in its pathogenesis remain unclear.Consequently,elucidating the key molecular regulators that govern disease progression could substantially contribute to the establishment of novel therapeutic strategies,ultimately advancing the management of PCa.Methods:A total of 49 PCa tissues and 43 adjacent normal tissues were collected from January 2017 to December 2021 at Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University.The advanced transcriptomic methodologies were employed to identify differentially expressed mRNAs in PCa.The expression of aspartoacylase(ASPA)in PCa was thoroughly evaluated using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blotting techniques.To elucidate the inhibitory role of ASPA in PCa cell proliferation and metastasis,a comprehensive set of in vitro and in vivo assays were conducted,including orthotopic and tumor-bearing mouse models(n=8 for each group).A combination of experimental approaches,such as Western blotting,luciferase assays,immunoprecipitation assays,mass spectrometry,glutathione S-transferase pulldown experiments,and rescue studies,were employed to investigate the underlying molecular mechanisms of ASPA's action in PCa.The Student‘s t-test was employed to assess the statistical significance between two distinct groups,while one-way analysis of variance was utilized for comparisons involving more than two groups.A two-sided P<0.05 was deemed to indicate statistical significance.Results:ASPA was identified as a novel inhibitor of PCa progression.The expression of ASPA was found to be significantly down-regulated in PCa tissue samples,and its decreased expression was independently associated with patients’prognosis(HR=0.60,95%CI 0.40–0.92,P=0.018).Our experiments demonstrated that modulation of ASPA activity,either through gain-or loss-of-function,led to the suppression or enhancement of PCa cell proliferation,migration,and invasion,respectively.The inhibitory role of ASPA in PCa was further confirmed using orthotopic and tumor-bearing mouse models.Mechanistically,ASPA was shown to directly interact with the LYN and inhibit the phosphorylation of LYN as well as its downstream targets,JNK1/2 and C-Jun,in both PCa cells and mouse models,in an enzyme-independent manner.Importantly,the inhibition of LYN activation by bafetinib abrogated the promoting effect of ASPA knockdown on PCa progression in both in vitro and in vivo models.Moreover,we observed an inverse relationship between ASPA expression and LYN activity in clinical PCa samples,suggesting a potential regulatory role of ASPA in modulating LYN signaling.Conclusions:Our findings provide novel insights into the tumor-suppressive function of ASPA in PCa and highlight its potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for the management of this malignancy.

Icariin plus curcumol enhances autophagy through the mTOR pathway and promotes cathepsin B-mediated pyroptosis of prostate cancer cells

Objective:To examine the effect of icariin plus curcumol on prostate cancer cells PC3 and elucidate the underlying mechanisms.Methods:We employed the Cell Counting Kit 8 assay and colony formation assay to assess cell viability and proliferation.Autophagy expression was analyzed using monodansylcadaverine staining.Immunofluorescence and Western blot analyses were used to evaluate protein expressions related to autophagy,pyroptosis,and the mTOR pathway.Cellular damage was examined using the lactate dehydrogenase assay.Moreover,cathepsin B and NLRP3 were detected by co-immunoprecipitation.Results:Icariin plus curcumol led to a decrease in PC3 cell proliferation and an enhancement of autophagy.The levels of LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰand beclin-1 were increased,while the levels of p62 and mTOR were decreased after treatment with icariin plus curcumol.These changes were reversed upon overexpression of mTOR.Furthermore,3-methyladenine resulted in a decrease in inflammatory cytokines,pyroptosis-related protein levels,and lactate dehydrogenase concentration,compared to the icariin plus curcumol group.Inhibiting cathepsin B reversed the regulatory effects of icariin plus curcumol.Conclusions:Icariin plus curcumol demonstrates great potential as a therapeutic agent for castration-resistant prostate cancer by enhancing autophagy via the mTOR pathway and promoting pyroptosis mediated by cathepsin B.These findings provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic potential of icariin and curcumol for prostate cancer treatment.

Effects of heat stress and long photoperiod on the prostate of rats

Objective:To examine light and heat effects on the morphological,histological,and micrometric structure of the prostate of rats.Methods:Thirty adult male rats were divided into three groups.The control group was kept under 20℃-22℃ and an artificial 12 h/12 h day/night cycle;the temperature group was under normal light and at(42±1)℃ heat for 4 to 5 h daily,and the light group was exposed to 8 h/16 h day/night cycle with 20℃-22℃.Rats were weighed five times(at the beginning of the study and every seven days).Five milliliters(mL)of their peripheral blood were taken.The tissue staining was performed using the hematoxylin-eosin(H&E)stain and periodic acid-Schiff(PAS).In the following,tissue and cellular reactions to the PAS were examined.Results:Folds were located entirely on the surface of the anterior lobe and periphery of the other lobes.The secretory units in the anterior lobe were more than the lateral lobe.A strong reaction of the secretory cells to the PAS was observed.Testosterone serum levels of the light group also significantly increased compared to the control group(P<0.05).The most histometric changes of the lobes were established in the lateral lobes.Heat stress resulted in a significant decrease in testosterone levels and transformed prostate tissue.The epithelium and parenchyma to scaffold ratio in the temperature group decreased.Conclusions:Maximum and minimum changes in the ventral lobe happened under the ascent of temperature and light,respectively.The ventral lobe in the study of prostatic hyperplasia should be more considered.

Contribution of Bone Scintigraphy in the Metastatic Extension Assessment of Prostate Cancer: A Study of 288 Cases in the Nuclear Medicine Department of Idrissa Pouye General Hospital, Dakar

Introduction: Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed male malignancy and the fifth leading cause of cancer death in men worldwide. Since the advent of screening methods such as Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) assay, digital rectal examination (DRE) and prostate biopsy, its incidence has increased significantly. The aim of our study was to analyse aspects of bone scintigraphy (BS) as part of the metastatic extension assessment of prostate cancer in Senegal. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective descriptive and analytical study, running from January 1er 2022 to August 31 2023. Patients with histologically confirmed prostate cancer were included. Whole-body scans (WBS) were performed using a dual-head SPECT gamma camera (Mediso Nucline TM Spirit DH-V type), 3 hours after intravenous injection of 8 MBq/kg (555 to 740 MBq) of 99mTc-HMDP. Results: A total of 288 patients with a mean age of 68.37 ± 7.79 years were included. The median total PSA level was 97.6 ng/ml, with 144 patients having a level greater than or equal to 20 ng/ml. All patients had adenocarcinoma, and the Gleason score was available in 202 (70.13%) patients, 75.75% of whom had a score greater than or equal to 7. BS was contributory in 70.48% of cases, with 30.90% positive and 39.58% negative. The result was inconclusive in 85 patients (29.51%). The mean PSA for patients with a positive scan was 190.2 ng/ml and 40.6 ng/ml for those with a negative scan. Multiple metastatic lesions predominated (87.35% of cases). Metastatic lesions occurred preferentially in the axial skeleton, with a proportion of 68% versus 32% in the appendicular skeleton. Classification of bone metastases according to the SOLOWAY score revealed grade I (62.07%), grade II (35.63%) and grade IV (2.30%). Conclusion: In Senegal, prostate cancer is generally diagnosed in men of advanced age. The presence of bone metastases is frequent in its evolution, transforming a curable localized disease into a generalized disease with a compromised prognosis. Bone scintigraphy remains an essential part of the initial work-up and evaluation of response to treatment.

Prognostic role of platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with non-metastatic and metastatic prostate cancer:A meta-analysis and systematic review

Objective: To analyze data available in the literature regarding a possible prognostic value of the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in prostate cancer (PCa) patients stratified in non-metastatic and metastatic diseases.Methods: A literature search process was performed following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. In our meta-analysis, the pooled event rate estimated and the pooled hazard ratio were calculated using a random effect model.Results: Forty-two articles were selected for our analysis. The pooled risk difference for non-organ confined PCa between high and low NLR cases was 0.06 (95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.03-0.15) and between high and low PLR cases increased to 0.30 (95% CI: 0.16-0.43). In non-metastatic PCa cases, the pooled hazard ratio for overall mortality between high and low NLR was 1.33 (95% CI: 0.78-1.88) and between high and low PLR was 1.47 (95% CI: 0.91-2.03), whereas in metastatic PCa cases, between high and low NLR was 1.79 (95% CI: 1.44-2.13) and between high and low PLR was 1.05 (95% CI: 0.87-1.24).Conclusion: The prognostic values of NLR and PLR in terms of PCa characteristics and responses after treatment show a high level of heterogeneity of results among studies. These two ratios can represent the inflammatory and immunity status of the patient related to several conditions. A higher predictive value is related to a high NLR in terms of risk for overall mortality in metastatic PCa cases under systemic treatments.