Effects of L-Carnitine and Coenzyme Q10 Supplementation on Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: A Randomized, Controlled, Clinical Trial.

The prevalence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its associated lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) increases with age. Considering that BPH drug treatment is associated with complications, this study aimed to investigate the effects of L-carnitine (LC) and Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) supplementation as an adjunct therapy to finasteride in the management of LUTS in older men affected with BPH. Fifty eligible volunteers (25 per group) were randomly assigned to either intervention (finasteride + LC and CoQ10 supplements) or control (finasteride + placebo) groups. International prostate symptom score (IPSS), international index of erectile function (IIEF), quality of life index (QoL), as well as serum levels of Prostate-specific antigen (PSA), were assessed. Prostate ultrasound evaluation was also performed, before and after 8 wk of intervention. Supplementation with LC and CoQ10 led to a significant decrease in prostate volume (p < 0.001) as well as a significant increase in IIEF (p < 0.001), compared to the control group. However, there were no significant between-group differences in IPSS (p = 0.503), QoL scores (p = 0.339), and PSA levels (p = 0.482). CoQ10 and LC supplements might be beneficial in combination with standard therapies in the management of BPH and its related complications.

Evaluation of the results of urodynamic studies in patients with vesicoureteral reflux.

BACKGROUND: To investigate urodynamic abnormalities associated with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in toilet-trained children. METHODS: The data of 157 children who were diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux and referred to our hospital between 2013 and 2022 were retrospectively examined. The urodynamic parameters were analyzed and correlated with age, gender, lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), reflux severity, and laterality. RESULTS: Overall, 131 (83.4%) patients had abnormal urodynamic findings with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.4. The most common pathological finding was detrusor overactivity (DO), identified in 101 (64.3%) patients, followed by dysfunctional voiding (DV) in 74 (50.3%) patients. Children with VUR grades II and III exhibited a greater percentage of abnormal urodynamic findings than children with grades IV and V. The prevalence of DO was higher in children younger than 10 years old with unilateral and lower-grade VURs. DV was more frequent in children older than 10 years, with bilateral VUR, and higher grade VUR. The prevalence of LUTS, bowel and bladder dysfunction (BBD), and urinary tract infection (UTI) was higher among children with abnormal urodynamic findings. CONCLUSIONS: Children with VUR have a high incidence of urodynamic disorders. Urodynamic dysfunction may contribute to the pathogenesis of VUR, especially in mild cases.