Suppression of Oxidative Stress of Modified Gongjin-Dan (WSY-1075) in Detrusor Underactivity Rat Model Bladder Outlet Induced by Obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the anti-oxidative stress and preventive effect of modified Gongjin-dan (WSY-1075) in a detrusor underactivity rat model. METHODS: Rats were randomly allocated to three groups: shamoperated (control), bladder outlet obstruction-induced detrusor underactivity (BOO-DU), and BOO-DU with WSY-1075 (WSY) groups. WSY-1075 was orally administrated to rats 200 mg daily for 2 weeks prior to the operation and 4 weeks after the operation. Bladder outlet obstruction was surgically induced in rats by ligation around the urethra avoiding total obstruction. Cystometrography was conducted on rats in each group for examination of bladders. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, bladder outlet obstruction led to a significant increase in oxidative stress with consequent changes to molecular composition, and decrease in maximal detrusor pressure (P<0.05). WSY-1075 treatment significantly suppressed oxidative stress and prevented degenerative and dysfunctional changes in bladder, as compared with BOO-DU group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: WSY-1075 had beneficial effect on prevention of BOO-DU.

An Asian traditional herbal complex containing Houttuynia cordata Thunb, Perilla frutescens Var. acuta and green tea stimulates hair growth in mice.

BACKGROUND: Houttuynia cordata Thunb (HC) is a traditional herbal medicine widely used in Asia for the treatment of patients with alopecia, usually in combination with other two herbal medicines (Perilla frutescens var. acuta (PFVA) and green tea (GT)). However, the effect of this herbal complex has not been clearly demonstrated. We sought to determine the hair growth-promoting effect of this herbal complex (HC, PFVA, and GT) in the animal model. METHODS: Six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups (negative control, finasteride (1 mg/kg) as a positive control, and two (200 and 400 mg/kg) concentrations of the herbal complex as experimental groups) and were fed its corresponding medications orally for 25 days. Hair growth was evaluated visually and microscopically. Western blot analysis for insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß1 was performed. RESULTS: The herbal complex exhibited hair growth-promoting activity in C57BL/6 mice. Grossly, the area of hair regrowth was 55.1 (±3.8) %, 70.2 (±6.3) % and 83.5 (±5.7) % in negative control, herbal complex 200 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg group, respectively. In histologic examination, the hair follicle count in deep subcutis was 2.6 (±0.7), 5.8 (±0.7) and 8.6 (±1.2) and the diameter of hair follicles was 11.9 (±5.0) µm, 17.4 (±3.9) µm and 22.8 (±5.2) µm in negative control, herbal complex 200 and 400 mg/kg group, respectively. The expression of IGF-1 was 0.14 (±0.01), 0.23 (±0.02) and 0.24 (±0.01) and the expression of TGF-ß1 was 0.26 (±0.01), 0.19 (±0.02) and 0.15 (±0.01) in negative control, the 200 and 400 mg/kg group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This data provides adequate preliminary experimental evidence to support the hair regeneration effect of this herbal complex.

Stratification of patients with intermediate-risk prostate cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To identify an appropriate risk stratification system for intermediate-risk prostate cancer (PCa). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the data on 1559 patients who were treated with radical prostatectomy (RP) at our institution between 2005 and 2013 and classified them according to National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk groups. For our analyses, intermediate-risk PCa was designated as unfavourable intermediate-risk PCa if it met at least one of the following two criteria: biopsy Gleason score 4 + 3 and/or presence of ≥ 2 intermediate-risk criteria. All other men with intermediate-risk PCa were designated as having favourable intermediate-risk disease. Postoperative outcomes, including biochemical recurrence (BCR)-free survival, were calculated and compared using the log-rank test and Cox proportional hazards model. RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, biopsy Gleason score 4 + 3 and multiple (≥ 2) intermediate-risk criteria were observed to be independent predictors of BCR risk among men in the intermediate-risk group undergoing RP. The favourable intermediate-risk group had a significantly higher 5-year BCR-free survival compared with the unfavourable intermediate-risk group (87.5 vs 66.5%; P < 0.001). The unfavourable intermediate-risk group had significantly higher 5-year BCR-free survival than the high-risk group (66.5 vs 47.9%; P < 0.001) while the favourable intermediate-risk group had significantly lower 5-year BCR-free survival than the low-risk group (87.5 vs 93.5%; P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: A marked heterogeneity exists in the biochemical outcomes of contemporary patients with intermediate-risk PCa who undergo definitive RP. According to biopsy Gleason score and number of intermediate-risk criteria present, the intermediate-risk group should be sub-divided into those with favourable and unfavourable intermediate-risk disease.