RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibitory effects of phytosterols on abacterial prostatitis and discuss the possible mechanism. METHOD: Xiaozhiling-induced chronic prostatitis model were used to observe the inhibitory effect of phytosterols on abacterial prostatitis. The changes of serum IL-2, IL-1beta and TNF-alpha were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of COX-2 and 5-LOX were evaluated by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULT: Treated by phytosterols (150 mg x kg(-1)), the number of white blood cells in xiaozhiling-induced chronic abacterial prostatitis rats was obviously decreased, the density of lecithin corpuscle in prostatic secretion increased and closed to control group. The edema, inflammatory infiltration of prostate were partly recovered compared with model group. The proliferation of chronic prostatitis were obviously decreased in phytosterols groups compared with model group in histological sections. Phytosterols could obviously reduce the serum IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, prostate COX-2 and 5-LOX expression and improve IL-2 level. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that phytosterols had good therapeutic effects on chronic abacterial prostatitis. Participation of immune regulation and inhibiting COX-2 and 5-LOX expression may be the mechanisms of action.