Change in renal function following laparoscopic donor nephrectomy using 99 mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid scan.

PURPOSE: We assessed the change in remaining kidney function after laparoscopic donor nephrectomy using serial technetium 99m diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) scans and investigated the factors affecting the course. METHODS: Data from 155 donors were obtained from a prospectively maintained database. All donors underwent consecutive DTPA scans preoperatively and 1 month, 6 months and 1 year postoperatively. We investigated the longitudinal change in renal function after surgery and analyzed parameters to influence the perioperative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) change. RESULTS: The changes in GFR according to the DTPA scan presented significant improvement from 1 month up to 2 years after donation (all p < 0.001). The DTPA-GFR of the remaining kidney increased by 14.8% to 58.2 ± 10.6 ml/min/1.73 m(2) (p < 0.001) and by 33.9% to 78.0 ± 14.0 ml/min/1.73 m(2) at 1 month and 1 year after surgery, respectively (p < 0.001). Only 21.9% of donors categorized into chronic kidney disease (CKD) stage 3 or more at 1 year after donation were <60 ml/min/1.73 m(2) according to DTPA-GFR. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that the increase in DTPA-GFR at 1 year was negatively associated with patient age (p = 0.005), BMI (p = 0.04) and preoperative DTPA-GFR of remaining kidney (p = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: The DTPA-GFR of remaining kidney increased steadily for up to 2 years after surgery. Younger donors with lower body mass index and those with lower initial function of the remaining kidney demonstrated a greater increase in DTPA-GFR after nephrectomy. Many of the donors with CKD stage 3 after donation have good renal function according to the results of DTPA-GFR.

Reduction of oxidative stress may play a role in the anti-inflammatory effect of the novel herbal formulation in a rat model of hydrochloric acid-induced cystitis.

AIMS: We investigated the effect of the multi-herbal medicine, WSY-1075 in an animal model of hydrochloric acid (HCl)-induced cystitis. METHODS: Rats were randomly assigned to three groups: sham-operated (control), HCl-induced only (HC), and HC treated with WSY-1075 (HC + WT). Oral administration of either distilled water (control, HC) or WSY-1075 (400 mg/kg) was continued for 4 weeks. In HC and HC + WT groups, cystitis was induced with 0.4 M HCl beginning on the 22nd day. Rats in each group underwent cystometrography, and bladders were examined for evidence of inflammation and oxidative stress. RESULTS: Treatment with WSY-1075 decreased the frequency of urination and reduced inflammation of the bladder tissue in a rat model of HCl-induced cystitis. Compared with the control group, the HC group showed severe chronic inflammatory and fibrosis signs, and the inflammatory grades significantly decreased following WSY-1075 treatment in the HC-WT group. The HC + WT group showed a markedly decreased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines compared to the HC group. The level of malondialdehyde was significantly greater in the HC group compared to the control group, and it was significantly reduced in the treated (HC + WT) group. The levels of superoxide dismutase increased in the HC + WT group, which confirmed the anti-oxidant effect of WSY-1075. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that reduction of oxidative stress may play a role in this anti-inflammatory effect.

Effects of Moderate Alcohol Intake in the Bladder of the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty Diabetic Rats.

Diabetes is related with a number of cystopathic complications. However, there have been no studies about the influence of alcohol consumption in the bladder of type 2 diabetes. Thus, we investigated the effect of moderate alcohol intake in the bladder of the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) diabetic rat. The non-diabetic Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO, n=14) and the OLETF control group (n=14) were fed an isocaloric diet; the LETO (n=14) and the OLETF ethanol group (n=14) were fed 36% ethanol 7 g/kg/day. After ten weeks, muscarinic receptors, RhoGEFs, myogenic change, and the level of oxidative stress were evaluated. Moderate alcohol intake significantly decreased excessive muscarinic receptor and Rho kinase expressions in the OLETF rats compared with the LETO rats. In addition, iNOS and collagen expression were not changed in the OLETF rats in spite of alcohol consumption. Superoxide dismutase levels, which is involved in antioxidant defense, in the LETO rats were significantly decreased after alcohol consumption, however those in the OLETF rats were similar. Moderate alcohol consumption reduces the oxidative stress, and may prevent molecular and pathologic changes of the bladder of rats with type 2 diabetes.

Efficacy of a vaporization-resection of the prostate median lobe enlargement and vaporization of the prostate lateral lobe for benign prostatic hyperplasia using a 120-W GreenLight high-performance system laser: the effect on storage symptoms.

GreenLight laser photoselective vaporization of the prostate (PVP) was established as a minimally invasive procedure to treat patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, it may be difficult to achieve adequate tissue removal from a large prostate, particularly those with an enlarged median lobe. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of a 120-W GreenLight high-performance system laser vaporization-resection for an enlarged prostate median lobe compared with those of only vaporization. A total of 126 patients from January 2010 to January 2014 had an enlarged prostate median lobe and were included in this study. Ninety-six patients underwent vaporization only (VP group), and 30 patients underwent vaporization-resection for an enlarged median lobe (VR group). The clinical outcomes were International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), maximum flow rate (Q max), and post-void residual urine volume (PVR) assessed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively between the two groups. The parameters were not significantly different preoperatively between the two groups, except for PVR. Operative time and laser time were shorter in the VR group than those in the VP group. (74.1 vs. 61.9 min and 46.7 vs. 37.8 min; P = 0.020 and 0.013, respectively) and used less energy (218.2 vs. 171.8 kJ, P = 0.025). Improved IPSS values, increased Q max, and a reduced PVR were seen in the two groups. In particular, improved storage IPSS values were higher at 1 and 3 months in the VR group than those in the VP group (P = 0.030 and 0.022, respectively). No significant complications were detected in either group. Median lobe tissue vaporization-resection was complete, and good voiding results were achieved. Although changes in urinary symptoms were similar between patients who received the two techniques, shorter operating time and lower energy were superior with the vaporization-resection technique. In addition, vaporization-resection may have a beneficial effect on storage symptoms.

Asymptomatic hematuria associated with urinary polyomavirus infection in immunocompetent patients.

Unlike the case for immunodeficient patients, little is known about polyomavirus (PV) infection in immunocompetent patients. PV infection in immunocompetent individuals has been reported sporadically, but little is known about asymptomatic hematuria. To determine the clinical significance and prevalence of urinary PV infection in immunocompetent patients, a total of 95 individuals admitted to Seoul St. Mary's hospital were investigated. Sixty-four patients were enrolled for evaluation of asymptomatic hematuria, and 31 healthy individuals served as controls. Clinical screening for PV infection was performed by urine cytology analysis by liquid-based preparation and urine RT-PCR for BK virus (BKV) and JC virus (JCV), respectively. The average age of the patients in the PV(+) - and PV(-) -groups with asymptomatic hematuria were 60 years and 46 years, respectively. Urine cytology analysis revealed decoy cells in 37/64 hematuria patients (38.9%), but not in healthy controls. They were more prevalent in male patients. Eighty-two patients (86.3%) had PV viruria, viz., 54/64 patients in the hematuria group and 28/31 in the control group. Interestingly, 28/31 (90.3%) cases in the healthy control group were positive for PV viruria, which exceeded the number in the hematuria group (84.4%). PV viruria was associated primarily with JCV, rather than BKV. PV viruria, including JCV viruria, correlated with urine decoy cells and increased age. In conclusion, urinary PV infection is common in immunocompetent patients with asymptomatic hematuria and is age-related. These data may provide an insight into the pathogenesis and future treatment of asymptomatic hematuria associated with urinary PV infection in immunocompetent patients.

Hand-assisted and pure laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: a matched-cohort comparison over 10 yr at a single institute.

OBJECTIVE: To compare outcomes between matched patients who underwent hand-assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) and pure laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (PLDN) from living donors. METHOD: Between February 2000 and July 2012, 608 consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy at a single center. In September 2003, we began to perform the PLDN for the first time. A matched-pair cohort of 80 patients who underwent PLDN and 80 patients who underwent HALDN was selected for retrospective comparison. RESULT: No significant differences in operative time, warm ischemia time, estimated blood loss, transfusion rate, analgesic requirement, or hospital stay were observed between the HALDN and PLDN groups. No differences were found in the recipient serum creatinine values (mg/dL) and estimated glomerular filtration rate by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD-eGFR; mL/min/1.73 m(2) ). CONCLUSION: No significant differences were observed in surgical outcomes, complication rates, and postoperative parameters between the HALDN and PLDN groups. Moreover, recipient graft function and morbidity between both groups were comparable. Therefore, we believe that PLDN may be a good alternative technique to HALDN.

Functional and molecular changes of the bladder in rats with crushing injury of nerve bundles from major pelvic ganglion to the bladder: role of RhoA/Rho kinase pathway.

Voiding dysfunction is a common complication after radical pelvic surgery. To reduce this complication, nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery was introduced. However, several patients experienced voiding difficulty despite nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. Thus, we investigated the functional and molecular changes of the bladder in rats, which demonstrated voiding dysfunction induced by nerve damage during nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. Male rats were used and assigned to normal, sham-operated, and bilateral crushing nerve bundles from major pelvic ganglion (MPG) to bladder group. After one, two, and four-week crushing injury, significantly decreased contractile response and increased connective tissue of the detrusor were observed and these results were reliable findings with voiding difficulty following nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. After crushing injury, significantly increased M2 muscarinic receptor expression was observed and this might be regarded as the compensatory response. However, M3 muscarinic receptor expression was not significantly changed. The expression of RhoA, ROCK-α, and ROCK-ß was significantly increased after one, two, and four-week crushing injury. From these results, the down-regulation of RhoA/Rho kinase pathway might lead to the decreased bladder contractility after crushing injury of nerve bundles from MPG to the bladder despite of the compensated up-regulation of M2 muscarinic receptor.

Therapeutic effect of adipose-derived stem cells and BDNF-immobilized PLGA membrane in a rat model of cavernous nerve injury.

INTRODUCTION: Cavernous nerve injury is the main reason for post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (ED). Stem cell and neuroprotection therapy are promising therapeutic strategy for ED. AIM: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) immobilized Poly-Lactic-Co-Glycolic (PLGA) membrane on the cavernous nerve in a rat model of post-prostatectomy ED. Methods. Rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal group, bilateral cavernous nerve crush injury (BCNI) group, ADSC (BCNI group with ADSCs on cavernous nerve) group, BDNF-membrane (BCNI group with BDNF/PLGA membrane on cavernous nerve) group, and ADSC/BDNF-membrane (BCNI group with ADSCs covered with BDNF/PLGA membrane on cavernous nerve) group. BDNF was controlled-released for a period of 4 weeks in a BDNF/PLGA porous membrane system. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Four weeks after the operation, erectile function was assessed by detecting the ratio of intra-cavernous pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP). Smooth muscle and collagen content were determined by Masson's trichrome staining. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in the dorsal penile nerve was detected by immunostaining. Phospho-endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein expression and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level of the corpus cavernosum were quantified by Western blotting and cGMP assay, respectively. RESULTS: In the ADSC/BDNF-membrane group, erectile function was significantly elevated, compared with the BCNI and other treated groups. ADSC/BDNF-membrane treatment significantly increased smooth muscle/collagen ratio, nNOS content, phospho-eNOS protein expression, and cGMP level, compared with the BCNI and other treated groups. CONCLUSIONS: ADSCs with BDNF-membrane on the cavernous nerve can improve erectile function in a rat model of post-prostatectomy ED, which may be used as a novel therapy for post-prostatectomy ED.

Effects of anthocyanin extracted from black soybean seed coat on spermatogenesis in a rat varicocele-induced model.

Varicocele is the most common cause of primary male infertility and is associated with oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of anthocyanin on a rat model of varicocele. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four experimental groups: a normal control group, a varicocele-induced control group and two varicocele-induced groups treated with either 40 or 80mgkg(-1), p.o., anthocyanin for 4 weeks. Varicocele was induced by the partial obstruction of the left renal vein. After 8 weeks, the testes and epididymides from rats in all groups were removed, weighed and subjected to histological examination and semen analysis. Apoptosis in the testes was determined by terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-digoxigenin nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and oxidative stress was assessed by measuring 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels. Although no significant differences in sperm counts were observed among the groups, anthocyanin treatment of the varicocele-induced groups resulted in significantly increased testes weight, sperm motility and spermatogenic cell density (P<0.05). Anthocyanin treatment also significantly decreased apoptotic body count and 8-OHdG concentrations (P<0.05). We suggest that the antioxidant effect of anthocyanin prevented the damage caused by varicocele-induced reactive oxygen species.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy for complex renal calculi: is multi-tract approach ok?

INTRODUCTION: To compare the safety and efficacy of multiple-tract percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with single-tract PCNL for complex renal stones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 109 consecutive PCNL procedures for unilateral complex renal calculi (staghorn or complex caliceal calculi) were performed at our institution. Thirty patients received multiple-tract PCNL and 79 patients underwent single-tract PCNL. The two groups had comparable demographic data except for a smaller stone burden and fewer complete staghorn calculi in those undergoing single-tract PCNL. Variables of interest included operative time, blood loss, change of serum creatinine, transfusion rates, length of hospital stay, stone clearance, number of ancillary procedures, and complication rates. RESULTS: The number of tracts used for multiple-tract PCNL was two tracts in 20 patients, three tracts in 9, and four tracts in 1. Significant differences were not observed when the single-tract PCNL results were compared with the multiple-tract PCNL in terms of success rate, operative time, transfusion rate, drop in hemoglobin, hospitalization time, complication rate, and rise in serum creatinine. The need for ancillary procedures was more common in patients undergoing multiple-tract PCNL (53.3% versus 24.1%; p = 0.003). No long-term sequela were noted during the median follow up of 24 months in any patient. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the present study show that multi-tract PCNL for appropriately chosen stones/patients has similar safety and effectiveness as single PCNL in patients with smaller and less complex stones.

Antiproliferative effects of zinc-citrate compound on hormone refractory prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiproliferative effects of zinc-citrate compound on hormone refractory prostate cancer (HRPC). METHODS: HRPC cell line (DU145) and normal prostate cell line (RWPE-1) were treated with zinc, citrate and zinc-citrate compound at different time intervals and concentrations to investigate the effect of zinc-citrate compound. Mitochondrial (m)-aconitase activity was determined using aconitase assay. DNA laddering analysis was performed to investigate apoptosis of DU145 cells. Molecular mechanism of apoptosis was investigated by Western blot analysis of P53, P21(waf1), Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bax, and also caspase-3 activity analysis. RESULTS: Treatment with zinc-citrate compound resulted in a time- and dose-dependent decrease in cell number of DU145 cells in comparison with RWPE-1. M-aconitase activity was significantly decreased. DNA laddering analysis indicated apoptosis of DU145 cells. Zinc-citrate compound increased the expression of P21(waf1) and P53, and reduced the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL proteins but induced the expression of Bax protein. Zinc-citrate compound induced apoptosis of DU145 cells by activation of the caspase-3 pathway. CONCLUSION: Zinc-citrate compound can induce apoptotic cell death in DU145, by caspase-3 activation through up-regulation of apoptotic proteins and down-regulation of antiapoptotic proteins.

Comparison of oncological outcomes of transperitoneal and retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy for the management of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma: a multi-institutional study.

OBJECTIVE: • To investigate the oncological efficacy of retroperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (RLRN) compared with transperitoneal laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (TLRN) for the management of clear-cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: • With emphasis on survival and disease recurrence, a retrospective analysis was made of 580 patients who underwent TLRN (472 patients) or RLRN (108 patients) at 23 institutions between January 1997 and December 2007. • Inclusion criteria were clear-cell RCC, stage pT1 to pT2 without any nodal involvement, and metastasis. • Overall survival and recurrence-free survival curves were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method. • To assess the association between the surgical approach and survival outcomes, Cox proportional hazard models were constructed. RESULTS: • The median follow-up was 30 months in the TLRN group and 35.6 months in the RLRN group. Both groups were comparable regarding age, gender, body mass index (BMI), Fuhrman's grade, size of tumours and stage. • Kaplan-Meier curves and the log-rank test showed no significant difference between the TLRN and RLRN groups in 5-year overall (92.6% vs 94.5%; P = 0.669) and recurrence-free survival (92.0% vs 96.2%; P = 0.244). • In a Cox regression model with age, gender, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, BMI, nuclear grade and T-stage adjusted variables, no significant difference was found between the two surgical approaches. CONCLUSION: • The present study is the largest oncological analysis for laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) comparing transperitoneal and retroperitoneal approaches. The data from it provide the objective evidence to suggest similar oncological outcomes for both approaches to LRN.

Hedgehog signaling protein expression and its association with prognostic parameters in prostate cancer: a retrospective study from the view point of new 2010 anatomic stage/prognostic groups.

BACKGROUND: The expression of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in prostate cancer is well-known but its clinicopathologic role has not been elucidated well. METHODS: Prostatectomy cases of prostate cancer (n=155) were prepared and assessed by clinicopathologic parameters including new 2010 anatomic stage/prognostic groups (ASPG) of prostate cancer. The expression of five Hh signaling proteins including Sonic hedgehog (Shh), Patched, Smoothened, and GLIoma-associated oncogene, in addition with Suppressor of fused (Su(fu)) were analyzed immunohistochemically. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess the mRNA expression status. RESULTS: The expression of each Hh signaling protein was significantly correlated with poor prognostic parameters such as larger tumor size, high pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA), high Gleason score, perineural invasion and new ASPG. Among Hh signaling proteins, Sonic hedgehog and Smoothened expressions tend to have a significantly higher risk of PSA recurrence (P<0.001 and P=0.011, respectively). Multivariate analysis proved Shh expression as independent prognostic factors of PSA recurrence along with Gleason score, ASPG, tumor volume, and pretreatment PSA. CONCLUSIONS: Hh signaling activity is significantly associated with worse prognostic parameters. Shh can be regarded as a poor prognostic factor for PSA recurrence.

Clinical significance of a large difference (≥ 2 points) between biopsy and post-prostatectomy pathological Gleason scores in patients with prostate cancer.

We investigated the clinical significance of large difference (≥ 2 points) between biopsy-derived (bGS) and post-prostatectomy Gleason scores (pGS). At 14 medical centers in Korea, 1,582 men who underwent radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer were included. According to the difference between bGS and pGS, the patients were divided into three groups: A (decreased in pGS ≥ 2, n = 30), B (changed in pGS ≤ 1, n = 1,361; control group), and C (increased in pGS ≥ 2, n = 55). We evaluated various clinicopathological factors of prostate cancer and hazards for biochemical failure. Group A showed significantly higher mean maximal percentage of cancer in the positive cores (max%) and pathological T stage than control. In group C, the number of biopsy core was significantly smaller, however, tumor volume and max% were significantly higher and more positive biopsy cores were presented than control. Worse pathological stage and more margin-positive were observed in group A and C than in control. Hazard ratio for biochemical failure was also higher in group A and C (P = 0.001). However, the groups were not independent factors in multivariate analysis. In conclusion, large difference between bGS and pGS shows poor prognosis even in the decreased group. However it is not an independent prognostic factor for biochemical failure.

Laparoscopic versus open radical cystectomy for the management of bladder cancer: mid-term oncological outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the mid-term oncological outcome of laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) with those of open radical cystectomy (ORC). METHODS: From June 2003 to February 2008, 36 LRCs were carried out at our institute for the treatment of bladder cancer. Clinical and oncological data were retrospectively analyzed. A match-pair comparison with an historical series of 34 patients who were submitted to ORC between 1996 and 2003 was carried out. RESULTS: Median follow-up of the LRC group was 21 months (3-56 months). Pathological stage or grade was similar in the two groups. There was no significant difference between the LRC and ORC groups in terms of 3-year overall (64.2% vs 72.6%, respectively; P = 0.682), cancer-specific (73.0% vs 75.3%, respectively; P = 0.951), and recurrence-free survival (70.5% vs 72.5%, respectively; P = 0.715) rates. In a subgroup analysis according to stage, there was also no significant difference in the 3-year disease-specific survival after LRC or ORC for organ-confined (pT1 and pT2; 85.7% vs 83.9%, respectively; P = 0.256) or extravesical disease (pT3 and pT4; 73.3% vs 63.8%, respectively; P = 0.825). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that LRC provides mid-term oncological outcomes similar to those of ORC in the management of bladder cancer.

Characteristics and prognosis of chromophobe non-metastatic renal cell carcinoma: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the characteristics and the prognostic significance of chromophobe renal cell carcinomas (chRCC). METHODS: Data about 2981 patients with non-metastatic renal cell carcinomas (RCC) at the time of surgery were retrospectively collected from 26 institutions between 1998 and 2008. All patients had undergone partial or radical nephrectomies. Of the 2981 patients, 2602 patients with conventional RCC (cRCC) and 148 with chRCC were studied. Clinical and pathological parameters were determined in all patients. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) were assessed. RESULTS: Patients with chRCC differed significantly from those with cRCC on the following parameters: younger age (P=0.026), greater female ratio (P<0.001), and larger tumor diameter (P<0.001). Both groups were alike with respect to body mass index (P=0.943), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (P=0.163), T stage (P=0.375), and Fuhrman's grade (P=0.134). The 5-year RFS rates in patients with chRCC and cRCC were 82.7% and 83.3%, respectively (P=0.762). The 5-year CSS rates in patients with chRCC and cRCC were 88.8% and 92.2%, respectively (P=0.980). Both groups showed equivalent oncological outcomes in terms of RFS and CSS for cases stratified by T stage and Fuhrman's grade. In multivariate analysis, the histological subtype was not retained as an independent prognostic variable (RFS: P=0.893; CSS: P=0.729). CONCLUSIONS: Despite being significantly different from cRCC in terms of several clinical and pathological parameters, chRCC shows equivalent oncological outcomes.

Inhibition of Proliferation of Prostate Cancer Cell Line DU-145 in vitro and in vivo Using Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the antiproliferative activity of Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge. (SM) on the castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) cell line DU-145, in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: Prostate cancer cell line (DU-145) and normal prostate cell line (RWPE-1) were treated with SM at different concentrations (3.125, 12.5, 25 and 50 µg/mL) to investigate the antiproliferative effects. DNA laddering analysis was performed to investigate the apoptosis of DU-145 cells. Molecular mechanism was investigated by Western blot analysis of p53, Bcl-2, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and androgen receptor (AR). Six-week-old male BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into normal control group (n=101) and treated group (n=101) which administered 500 mg/kg SM for 2 weeks. Tumor volumes were measured. RESULTS: Treatment with SM resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in cell number of DU-145 cells in comparison with RWPE-1. DNA laddering analysis indicated the apoptosis of DU-145 cells. Treatment with SM increased the expression of p53 and reduced the expression of Bcl-2 proteins. The levels of PSA were considerably reduced in SM-treated group compared to the controls, and a decrease in AR expression was observed when cells were treated with SM in the same pattern as a reduction in PSA. In the tumour xenograft study, SM given once a day for 2 weeks significantly inhibited tumour growth. CONCLUSION: SM might contribute to the anticancer actions such as induction of apoptosis and inhibition of proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

Muscarinic and purinergic receptor expression in the urothelium of rats with detrusor overactivity induced by bladder outlet obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of muscarinic and purinergic receptors in rat urothelium, and changes in their distribution and expression following detrusor overactivity induced by bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control (10) and BOO groups (20). Partial BOO was induced for 3 weeks and the rats assessed by cystometrography. A portion of the bladder was stained using immunofluorescence for M(2) and M(3) muscarinic receptors, and P2X(3) purinergic receptors. The remainder was dissected into bladder urothelium and the smooth muscle layer, and the expression of the receptor proteins analysed by Western blotting. RESULTS: Cystometrography showed a significant decrease in contraction interval and increase in contraction pressure in the BOO group. On immunofluorescence staining, muscarinic and purinergic receptors were localized in both the urothelium and the muscle layer. Immunoreactivity of M(2) and M(3) muscarinic receptors was greater in the urothelium of the BOO group than in the control group; there was a smaller increase in P2X(3) immunoreactivity. On Western blotting, the expression of M(2), M(3) and P2X(3) receptors was increased in the urothelium of the BOO group, and there was increased M(3) receptor expression in the muscle layer of the BOO group. CONCLUSIONS: There were detectable changes in muscarinic and purinergic receptors with bladder overactivity induced by BOO. Our results suggest that changes in urothelium receptor expression could have a role in mediating the afferent sensory responses in the urinary bladder.

The merlin tumor suppressor interacts with Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator and inhibits its activity.

Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is the most commonly mutated gene in benign tumors of the human nervous system such as schwannomas and meningiomas. The NF2 gene encodes a protein called schwannomin or merlin, which is involved in regulating cell growth and proliferation through protein-protein interactions with various cellular proteins. In order to better understand the mechanism by which merlin exerts its function, yeast two-hybrid screening was performed and Ral guanine nucleotide dissociation stimulator (RalGDS), a downstream molecule of Ras, was identified as a merlin-binding protein. The direct interaction between merlin and RalGDS was confirmed both in vitro and in the NIH3T3 cells. The domain analyses revealed that the broad C-terminal region of merlin (aa 141-595) is necessary for the interaction with the C-terminal Ras-binding domain (RBD) of RalGDS. Functional studies showed that merlin inhibits the RalGDS-induced RalA activation, the colony formation and the cell migration in mammalian cells. These results suggest that merlin can function as a tumor suppressor by inhibiting the RalGDS-mediated oncogenic signals.

Efficacy and safety of gatifloxacin for urinary tract infection in nonspecialized Korean urologic practice.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of gatifloxacin (400mg/day) on chronic prostatitis or cystitis, 453 patients with prostatitis (NIH category II or IIIa) (N=149, mean 45.8+/-13.3 years) and cystitis (N=304, mean 53.8+/-14.3 years) were enrolled. Total NIH CPSI score and symptom score for cystitis decreased from 20.3 to 9.9 (response rate 86.7%, 95% CI 80.2-93.2%) and from 6.2 to 1.8 (response rate 83.2%, 95% CI 78.7-87.7%), respectively. In the overall clinical efficacy, 71.2% and 88.4% of the patients with prostatitis and cystitis were responders, respectively. Of the patients, 15.7% reported insignificant adverse events. These results suggest that gatifloxacin was well tolerated and improved the clinical outcomes in patients with chronic prostatitis or cystitis.