[Efficacy and safety of Serenoa repens extract combined with α-receptor blocker in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of Serenoa repens extract (SR) combined with α-receptor blocker (αRB) in the treatment of BPH. METHODS: We included 7 published randomized controlled trials (RCT) studying the effect and safety of SR+αRB versus αRB monotherapy in the treatment of 1 009 BPH patients, and performed a meta-analysis on the data obtained using the RevMan 5.1.3 software. RESULTS: The baseline data from the RCTs were all comparable. Compared with the patients treated by αRB monotherapy, those of the SR+αRB group showed significant decreases in the total IPSS, sub-IPSS in the storage and voiding stages, quality of life score (QOL) and PSA level (all P < 0.05), an increase in the maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) (P = 0.04), but no statistically significant differences in the prostate volume and postvoid residual urine volume (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serenoa repens extract combined with α-receptor blocker is safe and effective, and even better than α-receptor blocker monotherapy, in the treatment of BPH.

Metabolomics Reveals that Dietary Xenoestrogens Alter Cellular Metabolism Induced by Palbociclib/Letrozole Combination Cancer Therapy.

Recently, the palbociclib/letrozole combination therapy was granted accelerated US FDA approval for the treatment of estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. Since the underlying metabolic effects of these drugs are yet unknown, we investigated their synergism at the metabolome level in MCF-7 cells. As xenoestrogens interact with the ER, we additionally aimed at deciphering the impact of the phytoestrogen genistein and the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone. A global metabolomics approach was applied to unravel metabolite and pathway modifications. The results clearly showed that the combined effects of palbociclib and letrozole on cellular metabolism were far more pronounced than that of each agent alone and potently influenced by xenoestrogens. This behavior was confirmed in proliferation experiments and functional assays. Specifically, amino acids and central carbon metabolites were attenuated, while higher abundances were observed for fatty acids and most nucleic acid-related metabolites. Interestingly, exposure to model xenoestrogens appeared to counteract these effects.

Cerebrospinal Fluid Metabolomics After Natural Product Treatment in an Experimental Model of Cerebral Ischemia.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is an important biofluid for diagnosis of and research on neurological diseases. However, in-depth metabolomic profiling of CSF remains an analytical challenge due to the small volume of samples, particularly in small animal models. In this work, we report the application of a high-performance chemical isotope labeling (CIL) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) workflow for CSF metabolomics in Gastrodia elata and Uncaria rhynchophylla water extract (GUW)-treated experimental cerebral ischemia model of rat. The GUW is a commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for hypertension and brain disease. This study investigated the amine- and phenol-containing biomarkers in the CSF metabolome. After GUW treatment for 7 days, the neurological deficit score was significantly improved with infarct volume reduction, while the integrity of brain histological structure was preserved. Over 1957 metabolites were quantified in CSF by dansylation LC-MS. The analysis of this comprehensive list of metabolites suggests that metabolites associated with oxidative stress, inflammatory response, and excitotoxicity change during GUW-induced alleviation of ischemic injury. This work is significant in that (1) it shows CIL LC-MS can be used for in-depth profiling of the CSF metabolome in experimental ischemic stroke and (2) identifies several potential molecular targets (that might mediate the central nervous system) and associate with pharmacodynamic effects of some frequently used TCMs.

The impact of transurethral procedures for benign prostate hyperplasia on male sexual function: a meta-analysis.

The effect of transurethral procedures for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) on male sexual function is still controversial, and we conducted this meta-analysis to compare the effects of different transurethral surgical procedures for the treatment of symptomatic BPH on male erectile function (EF) and ejaculatory function (EJF). Databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Controlled Trial Register, were searched to identify randomized controlled trials (RCT) that compared watchful waiting, transurethral electrovaporization (TUEVP) or holmium laser treatment (HLT) with transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Trials were included if they were RCTs, contained fully available data, compared with conventional TURP for BPH, and referred to male EF and EJF. A total of 12 RCTs involving a total of 1889 subjects were selected for analysis, including 2 trials comparing TURP and watchful waiting, 6 comparing TURP with TUEVP, and 4 comparing TURP with HLT. TURP was associated with a higher occurrence of retrograde ejaculation compared with watchful waiting but not to TUEVP (P = .95) or HLT (P = .37) and associated with a lower incidence of male erectile dysfunction compared with TUEVP (P = .04) but not HLT. According to the analysis, TURP lead to a higher prevalence of retrograde ejaculation compared with watchful waiting but had less of an effect on EF than TUEVP. TURP did not have a significantly different effect on EF or EJF compared with HLT.

[Impacts of different transurethral prostatic resection procedures on male sexual function: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the impacts of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TUEVP) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on male sexual function. METHODS: We identified randomized controlled trials on the influence of TURP, TUEVP and HoLEP on the sexual function of BPH patients, and performed meta-analysis on the included data using Revman 5.0.25. RESULTS: Nine randomized controlled trials involving 1 050 BPH patients were included in the meta-analysis. The baseline of the study was comparable. TURP affected erectile function less than TUEVP (P = 0.04), but the two had no significant difference in their influence on ejaculatory function. Nor was any significant difference found between HoLEP and TURP in their influence on either erectile or ejaculatory function at 12 and 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: TUEVP induces a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction than TURP, but its influence on ejaculatory function is not significantly different from the latter. HoLEP and TURP have no significant difference in their influence on erectile function and ejaculatory function.

Impacts of different transurethral prostatic resection procedures on male sexual function: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the impacts of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral electrovaporization of the prostate (TUEVP) and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) on male sexual function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We identified randomized controlled trials on the influence of TURP, TUEVP and HoLEP on the sexual function of BPH patients, and performed meta-analysis on the included data using Revman 5.0.25.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Nine randomized controlled trials involving 1 050 BPH patients were included in the meta-analysis. The baseline of the study was comparable. TURP affected erectile function less than TUEVP (P = 0.04), but the two had no significant difference in their influence on ejaculatory function. Nor was any significant difference found between HoLEP and TURP in their influence on either erectile or ejaculatory function at 12 and 24 months after surgery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TUEVP induces a higher incidence of erectile dysfunction than TURP, but its influence on ejaculatory function is not significantly different from the latter. HoLEP and TURP have no significant difference in their influence on erectile function and ejaculatory function.</p>