The impact of Technetium-99m dimercapto-succinic acid scintigraphy on DNA damage and oxidative stress in children.

BACKGROUND: Technetium-99m-dimercapto succinic acid (Tc-99m DMSA) scintigraphy is a commonly used imaging modality in children with urological abnormalities. The radiopharmaceuticals, which have the effects of ionising radiation, are used in this method. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the Tc-99m DMSA scan on renal oxidative stress and mononuclear leukocyte (MNL) DNA damage. METHODS: Children, who were followed up by paediatric nephrology at Bezmialem Vakif University and underwent Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy between April 2015 and January 2016 with the indication of detection of renal scars, were included in this study. The exclusion criteria were nephrolithiasis, history of premature birth and recent urinary tract infection 3 months prior to scintigraphy or antibiotic use in the last 1 month. 3 mL heparinised blood samples were obtained just before, immediately after and 1 week after the scintigraphy. MNL DNA damage, total antioxidant status (TAS) and total oxidant status (TOS) were measured in the blood samples. The oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated. Spot urine samples were obtained from each patient before and within 3 days after performing the scintigraphy. TAS/Creatinine (TAS/Cr), TOS/Creatinine (TOS/Cr) and N-acetyl-glucosaminidase/creatinine (NAG/Cr) levels were measured in the urine samples. RESULTS: Twenty-seven children were evaluated. The values between TAS, TOS and OSI levels in serum samples at baseline, immediately after and 1 week after the scintigraphy (P = .105, P = .913, and P = .721, respectively) showed no statistically significant difference. The levels of TAS/Cr, TOS/Cr, NAG/Cr ratios and OSI, which were evaluated from urine samples before and within 3 days after the scintigraphy scan were also similar (P = .391, P = .543, P = .819 and P = .179, respectively). The levels of DNA damage only increased following scintigraphy scan and decreased a week later (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: The effect of Tc-99m DMSA scintigraphy is insufficient to create oxidative damage, but it can cause DNA damage via the direct impact of ionising radiation which can be repaired again in a short time.

Impact of sympathetic dysfunction in the etiology of overactive bladder in women: A preliminary study.

AIMS: We investigated the effects of autonomic sympathetic dysfunction in the etiology of overactive bladder (OAB) in women, by assessing the sympathetic skin response (SSR). METHODS: In total, 40 women with OAB and 15 volunteers were enrolled. Group 1 (n = 20) consisted of patients who benefitted from oral anticholinergics, Group 2 (n = 20) consisted of patients who were refractory to oral anticholinergics, and the volunteers (n = 15) were the control group. All patients were asked to complete OAB-SF questionnaires. The absence of SSR was accepted as significant. Detailed physical examinations including neurological examinations were performed. All patients underwent SSR tests on the skin of the hands, feet, and genital area in our neurology department using electromyography, and SSR responses were recorded. Statistical significance was accepted at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age was 47.2 ± 12.4 years. In total, 55 women were evaluated (20 in Group 1, 20 in Group 2, and 15 in the control group). Mean OAB scores were similar between groups 1 and 2, although urgency was significantly higher in Group 2 than 1. The absence of SSR was significantly higher in Group 2 than 1 (P = 0.01). Impaired SSR was observed more commonly in Group 2 than 1. All controls had normal SSRs. CONCLUSIONS: Regional dysfunction in the autonomic nervous system may be part of OAB's etiology. SSR may be a candidate test for determining early OAB, and may also be useful for predicting antimuscarinic-refractory patients.

Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate: surgical, functional, and quality-of-life outcomes upon extended follow-up.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the long-term surgical, functional, and quality-of-life (QoL) outcomes after Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed recorded data on patients who underwent HoLEP between June 2002 and February 2005. Ninety-six patients were enrolled. Demographic, perioperative, and postoperative data were recorded. On follow-up, International Prostate Symptom Scores (IPSSs), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, QoL scores, peak uroflowmetric data (Qmax values), and post-voiding residual urine volumes (PVR volumes), were recorded. Complications were scored using the Clavien system. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 41.8±34.6 months and the mean patient age 73.2±8.7 years. The mean prostate volume was 74.6±34.3mL. Significant improvements in Qmax values, QoL, and IPSSs and decreases in PSA levels and PVR volumes were noted during follow-up (all p values=0.001). The most common complication was a requirement for re-catheterisation because of urinary retention. Two patients had concomitant bladder tumours that did not invade the muscles. Eight patients (8.3%) required re-operations; three had residual adenoma, three urethral strictures, and two residual prostate tissue in the bladder. Stress incontinence occurred in one patient (1%). All complications were of Clavien Grade 3a. We noted no Clavien 3b, 4, or 5 complications during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: HoLEP improved IPSSs, Qmax values, PVR volumes, and QoL and was associated with a low complication rate, during extended follow-up. Thus, HoLEP can be a viable option to transurethral resection of the prostate.

Diagnosis and treatment in primary bladder small cell carcinoma: Literature review.

Small cell bladder carcinoma is a rare and frequently fatal disease. It can be distinguished from classical urothelial carcinoma microscopically and immunohistochemically. Small cell bladder carcinoma has histologically similar properties with other small cell carcinomas in other organs. It has a worse prognosis when compared to urothelial bladder cancer. Multimodal treatments are recommended although there is no widely accepted consensus regarding to the treatment algorithm because of its rarity. In this review, clinical properties and diagnosis of small cell bladder carcinoma, its histopathological and immunohistochemical properties and treatment modalities are examined.

A rare complication after renal transplantation: Forgotten stent.

In renal transplantation surgery, double J stents (DJS) are often used to reduce complications, protect the anastomosis between ureter and bladder, provide drainage in ureteral obstructions and enhance healing if there is an ureter injury. Urinary tract infections, hematuria and irritative voiding symptoms are the early complications of DJS. Migration, fragmentation, encrustation and rarely sepsis are among the late complications of DJS. In this report we describe a renal transplantation case whose DJS stent was forgotten because the patient did not attend the regular follow-up and noticed 5 years after surgery.

Clinical and bacteriological efficacy of amikacin in the treatment of lower urinary tract infection caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli or Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria have become a growing problem limiting therapeutic options. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and microbiological efficacy of amikacin treatment in adult patients with lower UTIs due to ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (Ec) or Klebsiella pneumonia (Kp). We conducted a retrospective study of 36 outpatients aged >18 years with dysuria or problems with frequency or urgency in passing urine; pyuria and a positive urine culture (10(5) cfu/ml) for ESBL producing Ec or Kp which is also resistant to nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, quinolones and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, between January 2013 and February 2014. Patients received intramuscular amikacin 15 mg/kg/day for 10 days. Clinical success was defined as disappearance of symptoms. Bacteriological success was defined as sterile control urine cultures. 58.3% of patients were female. Age range was 18-89 years. All of the patients had at least one complicating factor. 77.8% of the isolates were E. coli. Clinical success rate was 97.2%. Overall bacteriological success rates were 91.7% on the 3 day of treatment, 97.1% at the end of the treatment and 94.1% on the 7-10 days after treatment. After 28-32 days following the treatment, reinfection was found in 12% whereas relapse was not determined. Nephrotoxicity was developed in one patient. The clinicians should keep in mind that amikacin treatment is an efficient and safe alternative treatment option before the carbapenem treatment especially in patients with lower UTIs caused by ESBL-producing Ec or Kp that are resistant to all oral antibiotics.

To evaluate the etiology of erectile dysfunction: What should we know currently?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the inability to develop normal erection or an hardening problem at various extent that causes inability to maintain the erection for the sufficient time required for a complete sexual activity. It can be the result of neurologic, psychogenic, vascular, urogenital and hormonal abnormalities. It is reported that it affects 52-67% of men between 40 and 70 years old. Numerous theories and opinions are issued in the literature in order to explain the hemodynamic changea that occur during erection and detumescence. Especially the effects of chronic diseases and psychogenic factors on the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction are common matters of discussion in recent years. In this review, we will evaluate the current developments in the literature about the etiology of erectile dysfunction.

Management of Priapism: Results of a Nationwide Survey and Comparison with International Guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate current urologic practice regarding the management of priapism in Turkey and compare with international guidelines. METHODS: Urologists and urology residents were invited to an online survey consisting of 30 multiple-choice questions on priapism-related clinical practices that were consid- ered most important and relevant to practices by using Google Forms. RESULTS: Total number of responses was 340. Respondents reported that they recorded a detailed patient's medical history and physical examination findings (n = 340, 100%) and laboratory testing, which includes corporal blood gas analysis (n=323, 95%). Participants announced that they performed Doppler ultrasound for 1/4 cases (n = 106, 31%), but 22% of the participants (n=75) replied that they performed in >75% of cases. Participants (n=311, 91%) responded that the first-line treatment of ischemic priapism is decompression of the corpus cavernosum. Moreover, most respondents (n = 320, 94%) stated that sympathomimetic injection drugs should be applied as the second step. About three-quarters of respondents (n = 247, 73%) indicated adrenaline as their drug of choice. Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors seems to be the most pre- ferred drug for stuttering priapism (n=141, 41%). Participants (n=284, 84%) replied that corpora-glanular shunts should be preferred as the first. A large number of par- ticipants (n = 239, 70%) declared that magnetic resonance imaging can be performed in cases with delayed (>24 hours) priapism to diagnose corporal necrosis. Most of the participants (84%) responded that penile prosthesis should be preferred to shunts in cases with delayed (>48 hours) priapism. CONCLUSION: It would be appropriate to improve the training offered by professional associations and to give more training time to the management of priapism during residency.

Publication rates of dissertations written in medical faculties of Turkey in the field of urology between the years 2008, and 2011, and citation analysis: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: In our country, preparing dissertation is essential for the research assistants in order to complete their expertise in medicine. It is aimed to produce hypothesis for researchers via writing their dissertations, to collect data for the hypothesis established, to make the analysis and interpretation of these data, and to gain the ability for the comparison of the findings obtained with the literature. In this study, we want to investigate the publication rates and citations of urology dissertations that are written at the university hospitals in our country between 2008 and 2011. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Urology dissertations that are written at the university hospitals between 2008 and 2011 were reviewed by entering the website of Board of Higher Education Dissertation between 23-27 March 2017 and 229 dissertations were reported. The publication rates of these dissertations were analysed. RESULTS: Hundred and fourteen of 229 dissertations (49.7%) analysed were published. Of these publications, 75 (32.7%) in Science Citation Index Expanded, 24 (10.4%) in international, 15 (6.5%) are published in national indexed peer-reviewed journals. While the publication rate of 81 dissertations written in universities located in 3 metropolitan cities (Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir) of Turkey was 50.6%, the publication rate of 148 dissertations written in remaining universities was 49.3%; and no statistically significant difference was found between the two groups (p=0.96). CONCLUSION: Preparing dissertation is a challenging process that requires considerable effort and time. At the end of this process, it is necessary to publish the dissertation in order to have it reach more people and to contribute to the literature. Even though publication rate of dissertations written in urology at university hospitals in Turkey was at acceptable level, there have still been problems required to solve.

Top cited articles in urology from Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: Citation is the name given for a scientific publication in order to be used as a reference by another publication. In this study, we reviewed the most frequently cited publications in urology from Turkey. Although the number of citations is not completely definitive on its own, it shows the importance and effect of the publication. Besides the number of citations directly determines the impact factor of the journals and this factor is generally used in the evaluation of the quality and importance of the journal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: On March 7-14, 2016, 51 studies with highest number of citations from Turkey are determined from Science Citation Index Expanded database index and the journals in which studies are published, the authors of the publications, their cities and departments, study types, publication date of the studies and the number of citations are recorded. RESULTS: The most frequently encountered subjects in the publications that are mostly cited from Turkey are urolithiasis (23.5%), infertility (15.6%), benign prostatic hyperplasia (11.7%), sexual dysfunction (11.7%) and bladder carcinoma/urothelial carcinoma (9.8%). Distribution of 51 publications is as follows: 18 case series, 11 randomized study, 7 non-randomized study, 6 study, 3 review, 3 cross-sectional studies and 3 survey studies. Of all the studies, 68.6% are from Ankara, Istanbul and Izmir and 72.5% of them have originated from the university hospitals. CONCLUSION: It is important to show the most cited Turkish publications in order to show the contribution in the world literature regarding to urology. The most cited publications in Turkey belong to urolithiasis and andrology areas. When the citation analysis publications in urology and different areas both in Turkey and in the world, it is observed that the number of our qualified publications is at acceptable levels.

Changes in expressions of ADAM9, 10, and 17 as well as α-secretase activity in renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: ADAM9, 10, and 17 are a class of disintegrins and metallproteinases with α-secretase activity. There are conflicting results regarding the role(s) of ADAM9, 10, and 17 in carcinogenesis, and only a few studies have examined their levels and cellular localization in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Studies examining changes in α-secretase activity in RCC compared to enzymatic activity of the uninvolved kidney are lacking. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 56 patients undergoing radical nephrectomy after the diagnosis of RCC. α-Secretase activity was determined using flourogenic substrate in freshly frozen tumor tissues as well as similarly treated tissues from the neighboring kidney. Immunohistochemical analyses of ADAM9, 10, and 17 were also performed. RESULTS: α-Secretase activity decreased markedly in all types of RCC as compared to neighboring uninvolved kidney tissue having 5 to 10 times higher levels of α-secretase activity. Although type-dependent variations were observed, tumoral expressions of ADAMs, except for ADAM17, were lower in the tumors compared to that of neighboring tissues, but the changes in α-secretase activity were greater. In RCC tissue, ADAM9 expressions were localized in nuclear and cytoplasmic compartments, whereas ADAM10 and 17 were present predominately in the cytoplasm potentially explaining the markedly decreased enzyme activity. Membranous localization of ADAMs was noted in uninvolved kidney tissue. CONCLUSIONS: The loss of α-secretase activity observed here in conjunction with previous findings argue against tumorigenic effects of ADAM9, 10, and 17 supporting that increased nuclear and cytoplasmic expression may be an attempt to compensate for loss of function.

Penile traction therapy for Peyronie's disease-what's the evidence?

Penile traction therapy (PTT) is a new therapeutic option for men with Peyronie's disease (PD). However, it has a long history of use in other fields of medicine including bone, skin, skeletal muscle, and Dupuytren's. Mechanotransduction, or gradual expansion of tissue by traction, leads to the formation of new collagen tissue by cellular proliferation. As a molecular result, continuous extension of the fibrous plaque causes significant increases in collagenase and metalloproteinases, and, ultimately, to fibrous plaque softening and extension. This hypothetical knowledge has been supported by recent well designed experimental studies. Furthermore, several clinical papers have provided promising results on the use of PTT in PD patients. It has been shown in some series that the use of PTT significantly increases flaccid and stretched penile lengths and results in significant penile curvature improvement when compared to baseline. Furthermore, the use of PTT concomitantly with either verapamil or interferon α-2b has also been shown to be an effective therapy. Additionally, the beneficial effect of PTT on penile length before or after penile surgery in men with corporal fibrosis has been described. Finally, as a minimally invasive alternative treatment option to penile augmentation surgery in men with dysmorphophobia, PTT use has shown promising results by several experts. Studies have shown that PTT provides an acceptable, minimally invasive method that can produce effective and durable lengthening of the penis in men complaining of a small/short penis. There are, however, several criticisms related to the designs of the reported studies, such as small sample size and selection bias. Well-designed studies with larger numbers of patients and longer follow-up periods are, however, needed to establish the true benefits of PTT.

Retroperitoneal paraganglioma presenting as right-sided varicocele: case report.

Varicocele, the most important identifiable pathological cause of male infertility, is rarely observed on the right side. In isolated cases of right-sided varicocele, the presence of retroperitoneal masses compressing the inferior vena cava should be considered by further investigation. The retroperitoneal masses that are detected tend to grow rapidly due to their location and may be very large at the time of diagnosis. Soft tissue sarcomas are the most common cause of retroperitoneal masses, while paragangliomas are rare causes. Retroperitoneal paragangliomas should be diagnosed via detection of symptoms caused by hormonal activity, observation of the compression effect of the mass, or incidentally during imaging studies. SIMILAR CASES PUBLISHED: This study presents the first case of retroperitoneal paraganglioma in a 41-year old man as isolated right-sided varicocele that has been described in the published reports.

Neuropeptide Levels as well as Neprilysin Activity Decrease in Renal Cell Carcinoma.

Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide (CGRP), Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide (VIP) and Substance P (SP) are sensory neuropeptides which may alter cancer growth through modulation of chronic inflammation. We recently reported that SP suppresses breast cancer growth and metastasis through neuroimmune modulation. These neuropeptides are hydrolyzed by Neprilysin (NEP) to bioactive fragments. Decreased activity of NEP was reported in clear cell and chromophobe type renal cell carcinoma (RCC). It is however not known how the levels of neuropeptides hydrolyzed with NEP changes in RCC. Decrease activity of SP and CGRP containing sensory nerve endings was previously reported to increase cancer metastasis in animal models. It is however not known how peptidergic nerve endings are altered in RCC. Hence we here evaluated the levels of neuronal and non-neuronal neuropeptides and NEP activity in RCC including papillary type as well as neighboring uninvolved kidney. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 57 patients undergoing radical nephrectomy and diagnosed with RCC. NEP activity, levels and expression were determined using flourogenic substrate, western blot and qPCR respectively in freshly-frozen tissues. Immunohistochemical analyses were also performed. Neuronal and non-neuronal levels of CGRP, SP and VIP levels were determined using two-step acetic acid extraction. Levels and activity of NEP were markedly decreased in RCC regardless of subtype. Similar levels of VIP were detected in first and second extractions. VIP levels were higher in clear cell and papillary RCC compared to nearby kidney tissue. VIP levels of neighboring kidney tissue of papillary type RCC was significantly lower compared to kidney samples from clear cell RCC. CGRP levels were higher in second extraction. Similar to VIP levels, CGRP levels of neighboring kidney tissue from clear cell and chromophobe type RCC was significantly lower compared to corresponding tumor samples, an effect observed in the second extraction. VIP and CGRP levels of nearby kidney tissue varied subtype dependently demonstrating that different subtypes of RCC alter their local environment differently. Furthermore NEP-induce hydrolysis of VIP creates selective VPAC-1 receptor agonist which has anti-proliferative and anti-inflammatory effects. Hence loss of NEP activity may prevent anti-tumoral effects of VIP on RCC.

Continuous positive airway pressure therapy is associated with improvement in overactive bladder symptoms in women with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the impact of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy on overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms in women with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One-hundred and fifty women underwent an overnight polysomnography study between May 2014 and September 2014. Their voiding symptoms were evaluated using the OAB symptom score (OABSS) and International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short-Form at OSAS diagnosis and approximately 3-months after CPAP therapy. OSAS severity was assessed according to the apnea-hypopnea-index. RESULTS: We evaluated 140 women and 111 of them (79.3%) reported symptoms consistent with OAB. There were no statistically significant differences between OSAS severity with a prevalence of OAB (p = 0.92). The prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI) was 35.7% (n = 50) and 39.6% (n = 44) in all patients and patients with OAB, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between UI with OAB (p = 0.58). Baseline OABSS is comparable between OSAS severity (p = 0.143). After 3-months CPAP therapy, OABSS and ICIQ-SF sum scores were significantly decreased in patients with severe and moderate OSAS (p <0.01), however, change of OABSS sum score was insignificant in patients with mild OSAS (p = 0.44). CONCLUSIONS: CPAP therapy improves the OAB, OABSS and ICIQ-SF scores in women with severe and moderate OSAS. OSAS-induced OAB may be alleviated following CPAP therapy.

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Markers ß-catenin, Snail, and E-Cadherin do not Predict Disease Free Survival in Prostate Adenocarcinoma: a Prospective Study.

Current methods for diagnosis and staging of prostate adenocarcinoma are not sensitive enough to distinguish between patients with indolent disease and those that should receive radical treatment. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well-characterized process involved in tumor invasion and metastasis. The aim of this study is to analyze the expression of ß-catenin, Snail, and E-cadherin in prostate cancer patients with prospective evaluation of their value in predicting disease-free survival (DFS). One-hundred-and-three consecutive prostate carcinoma patients who underwent radical prostatectomy and 35 patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) were enrolled. Age, initial PSA level, tumor size and clinical stage were documented for adenocarcinoma patients and they were enrolled in active surveillance with serum PSA levels. Recurrence was defined as PSA level of ≥ 0.2 ng/ml on at least 2 occasions over a 2-month period. Immunohistochemical staining intensity was scored as negative, weakly positive, moderately positive, and strongly positive. For Snail and ß-catenin immunoreaction, the tumors were considered nuclear positive when more than 5 % of the nuclei of tumor cells were positively stained. Patients with prostate cancer had weaker ß-catenin (p < 0.0001), Snail (p = 0.006), and E-cadherin (p = 0.02) staining when compared to BPH patients and the frequency of nuclear positivity for ß-catenin and Snail were higher in adenocarcinoma group (p < 0.0001). Increased expression and nuclear positivity of ß-catenin were associated with advanced stage (p = 0.012 and p = 0.003) and higher tumor volume (p = 0.013 and p = 0.002). Additionally, patients with increased Snail expression had higher Gleason scores and tumor volume at presentation (p = 0.008 and p = 0.004). However, there were no significant DFS differences in adenocarcinoma patients who did and did not have ß-catenin, Snail, and E-cadherin expression as assessed with log-rank test. Expressions of ß-catenin, Snail, and E-cadherin were significantly lower in prostate cancer patients compared to BPH patients and both ß-catenin and Snail had nuclear staining pattern in patients with adenocarcinoma. However, none of these markers predicted DFS in 36-month follow up of our cohort.

Comparison of glomerular filtration rate measurements with two plasma and single plasma sample methods in renal transplant cases with stable renal graft functions.

OBJECTIVE: This study was planned to determine the efficacies of single plasma sample methods (SPSMs) in indicating glomerular filtration rate (GFR) by taking two plasma sample method (TPSM) as reference in the determination of the GFR in cases with clinically stable renal transplantation. METHODS: Ninety-six renal transplantation cases (33 female, 63 male; age interval 18-67, mean age 37.46 ± 11.81 years) progressing stably clinically and as laboratory, with minimum 6 months after transplantation were included in the study. The GFR values of the cases were measured with SPSM and TPSM. RESULTS: It is observed that all SPSMs have a strong correlation with TPSM. Highest correlation was observed between Groth&Aasted SPSM and TPSM GFR (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.965). In the analyses performed by using the Bland-Altman analysis, GFR values calculated by all SPSMs were concordant to the TPSM which is the gold standard method in 95 % confidence interval (average ± 1.96 standard deviation) and were within the clinically acceptable limits. The narrowest concordance interval was obtained between Groth&Aasted Tc-99 m DTPA SPSM and Tc-99 m DTPA TPSM..Besides, we have obtained the minimum bias and precision value by the Groth&Aasted method. CONCLUSIONS: As a result; we can see that all the SPSMs give reliable results in measuring GFR in cases with renal transplantation; besides, we suggest Groth&Aasted method as the first option.

Chronic administration of sildenafil improves erectile function in a rat model of chronic renal failure.

The relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED) and chronic renal failure (CRF) has been reported in several studies. This study aimed to investigate whether the chronic use of sildenafil could enhance the erectile capacity in CRF-induced rats. In addition, we assessed the effect of that treatment on certain molecules, which have been suggested to play crucial roles in erectile physiology and CRF-related ED as well. Three groups of animals were utilized: (1) age-matched control rats, (2) CRF-induced rats, (3) CRF-induced rats treated with chronic administration of sildenafil (5 mg kg-1 p.o. for 6 weeks [treatment started after 6 weeks of CRF induction]). At 3 months, all animals underwent cavernosal nerve stimulation (CNS) to assess erectile function. Penile tissue advanced glycation end products (AGE's)/5-hydroxymethyl-2-furaldehyde, malondialdehyde (MDA), cGMP (ELISA), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) (Western blot) analyses were performed in all rat groups. CRF-induced rats had a significant decrease in erectile function when compared to control rats (P < 0.05). The increase in both intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and area under the curve of CRF-induced rats treated with sildenafil (Group 3) was greater than CRF-induced rats (Group 2). Additionally, sildenafil treatment decreased AGE, MDA and iNOS levels, while it preserved nNOS and cGMP contents in CRF-induced penile tissue. Decreased AGE, MDA, iNOS and increased nNOS, cGMP levels at the sildenafil-treated group increased both ICP and Total ICP to CNS, which led to improve erectile function in CRF-induced rats. The results of the present study revealed the therapeutic effect of chronic sildenafil administration on erectile function in CRF-induced rats.

Efficacy of silodosin in the treatment of distal ureteral stones 4 to 10 mm in diameter.

PURPOSE: Few studies have investigated the efficacy of silodosin, a recently introduced selective alpha 1-A adrenoceptor antagonist, in medical expulsive therapy (MET) for ureteral calculi. The results of these studies, which all evaluated the efficacy of 8 mg/day, indicate that silodosin is a potential treatment for ureteral calculi. This study investigated the efficacy of 4 mg/day of silodosin for MET of distal ureteral stones 4 to 10 mm in diameter. MATERIAL AND METHOD: After 70 patients had been randomized into 2 groups of 35 patients each, both the control and experimental groups (groups 1 and 2, respectively) were advised to take 75 mg/day of diclofenacsodiumas needed for pain relief but only the experimental group to take 4 mg/day of silodosin. After 21 days, the groups were compared regarding the stone expulsion rate and duration, number of renalcolicepisodes, and analgesicdosage. RESULTS: The median expulsion rates were 71.4% and 91.4% in groups 1 and 2, respectively, and the difference between them was significant (P=0.031). The median expulsion durations were 12.91±6.14 and 8.03±4.99 days, respectively, and the difference between them was significant (P<0.001). No significant differences were found regarding the median number of renal colic episodes or median analgesic dosage. While no patients in group 1 experienced side effects, 5 patients (14%) in group 2 experienced retrograde ejaculation. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that 4 mg/day of silodos in facilitates the expulsion of distal ureteral stones 4 to 10 mm in diameter but does not significantly reduce the number of renal colic episodes or analgesic dosage.