Biotransformation of Abiraterone Into Five Characteristic Metabolites by the Rat Gut Microbiota and Liver Microsomes.

It is well known that the role of gut microbiota in drug metabolism, especially in oral difficult absorbable drugs. Understanding the gut microbiota could enable us to understand drugs in new ways. The purpose of the study was to investigate explore the metabolites of the anti-prostate cancer drug Abiraterone by examining gut microbiota metabolism and hepatic metabolism in vitro. In this study, five metabolites (M1, M2, M3, M4 and M5) of Abiraterone were discovered using LC/MSn-IT-TOF. Four isomeric metabolites M1-M4 were found in liver microsome. M5 was found in the intestinal contents of Sprague-Dawley rats with a molecular weight of 388.31. Among them, M4 was found to be Abiraterone N-Oxide by comparison with the standard sample. After further comparing the metabolic behavior of Abiraterone in rat gut microbiota and liver microsomes, we delineated the possible metabolic pathways of Abiraterone. In conclusion, Abiraterone is metabolized specifically in liver microsomes and gut microbiota. This study can provide a theoretical basis for elucidating the metabolic mechanism of Abiraterone and guide its rational application in clinic.

The potential biological effects of quercetin based on pharmacokinetics and multi-targeted mechanism in vivo.

Quercetin is a plant-derived polyphenol flavonoid that has been proven to be effective for many diseases. However, the mechanism and in vivo metabolism of quercetin remains to be clarified. It achieves a wide range of biological effects through various metabolites, gut microbiota and its metabolites, systemic mediators produced by inflammation and oxidation, as well as by multiple mechanisms. The all-round disease treatment of quercetin is achieved through the organic combination of multiple channels. Therefore, this article clarifies the metabolic process of quercetin in the body, and explores the new pattern of action of quercetin in the treatment of diseases.

[Lycopene combined with quercetin and curcumin for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in rats: Effect and mechanism].

OBJECTIVE: To study the therapeutic effect of lycopene combined with quercetin and curcumin on chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) in rats and its underlying mechanism. METHODS: Thirty-three 6-week-old SD male rats were randomly divided into six groups: normal control (n = 3), CP/CPPS model control (n = 6), quercetin (n= 6), curcumin (n = 6), lycopene (n = 6) and combination therapy (n = 6). CP/CPPS was induced by injection of complete Freund's adjuvant into the ventral lobe of the prostate in the latter five groups of rats. After modeling, the rats in the normal and CP/CPPS model control groups were given corn oil by gavage, and those in the latter four groups treated intragastrically with quercetin at 50 mg/kg/d, curcumin at 50 mg/kg/d, lycopene at 10 mg/kg/d, and quercetin + curcumin + lycopene, respectively, once daily for a course of 4 weeks. Then, cardiac blood and prostate tissue samples were collected from the rats for measurement of related indexes. RESULTS: Histopathological changes in the model rats were basically consistent with the characteristics of CP/CPPS. The expressions of the inflammatory factors IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, TNFα, MCP1 and MIP-1α in the prostate tissue were all dramatically decreased in the quercetin, curcumin, lycopene and combination therapy groups compared with those in the normal controls (P < 0.01), even lower in the combination therapy group than in the quercetin, curcumin and lycopene groups (P < 0.05). The activities of the oxides CAT, GSH-PX and T-SOD were significantly increased and that of MDA decreased in the four treatment groups (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the combination therapy group than in the other three (P < 0.01). The phosphorylation of MAPKs was inhibited, the activation of NF-kB blocked and the transcriptional activity of Nrf2 enhanced in the four treatment groups (P < 0.05), even more significantly in the combination therapy group (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Lycopene combined with quercetin and curcumin is more effective than any of the three drugs used alone in the treatment of CP/CPPS, which may be associated with its alleviation of inflammatory response and oxidative stress by interaction between the NF-κB, MAPKs and Nrf2 signaling pathways.?

Feasibility of prostatectomy without prostate biopsy in the era of new imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques.

BACKGROUND: Routinely, after receiving prostate specific antigen (PSA) testing and digital rectum examination, patients with suspected prostate cancer are required to undergo prostate biopsy. However, the ability of ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy to detect prostate cancer is limited. Nowadays, a variety of diagnostic methods and more sensitive diagnostic methods, such as multi-parameter prostate magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT) can be applied clinically. Furthermore, laparoscopic/robot-assisted prostatectomy is also a safe and effective procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. So maybe it is time to reconsider the necessary to perform prostate biopsy before radical prostatectomy. AIM: To explore the feasibility of radical prostatectomy without prostate biopsy in the era of new imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques. METHODS: From June 2014 to November 2018, 11 cases of laparoscopic radical prostatectomy without prostate biopsy were performed at the three tertiary medical centers involved in this study. All patients received prostate magnetic resonance imaging and prostate cancer was suspected, including six patients with positive 68Ga-PSMA PET/CT results. Laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection were performed for all patients. RESULTS: All surgeries were accomplished successfully. The mean age was 69 ± 7.7 year, the mean body mass index was 24.7 ± 1.6 kg/m2, the range of serum PSA was 4.3 to >1000 ng/mL, and the mean prostate volume was 40.9 ± 18.3 mL. The mean operative time was 96 ± 23.3 min, the mean estimated blood loss was 90 ± 90.9 mL, and the median duration of catheter placement was 14 d. The final pathology confirmed that all specimens were prostate cancer except one case of benign prostatic hyperplasia. No major complications occurred in 90 d postoperatively. CONCLUSION: The current practice of mandating a prostatic biopsy before prostatectomy should be reconsidered in the era of new imaging technology and minimally invasive techniques. Radical prostatectomy could be carried out without the evidence of malignancy. Large-sample randomized controlled trials are definitely required to confirm the feasibility of this new concept.

Quercetin protects against chronic prostatitis in rat model through NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common disease of urology, of which the pathogenesis and therapy remain to be further elucidated. Quercetin has been reported to improve the symptoms of CP/CPPS patients. We aimed to verify the therapeutic effect of quercetin on CP/CPPS and identify the mechanism responsible for it. METHODS: A novel CP/CPPS model induced with Complete Freund Adjuvant in Sprague Dawley rats was established and the prostates and blood specimens were harvested for further measurement after oral administration of quercetin for 4 weeks. RESULTS: Increased prostate index and infiltration of lymphocytes, up-regulated expression of IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A, MCP1, and TNFα, decreased T-SOD, CAT, GSH-PX, and increased MDA, enhanced phosphorylation of NF-κB, P38, ERK1/2, and SAPK/JNK were detected in CP/CPPS rat model. Quercetin was identified to ameliorate the histo-pathologic changes, decrease the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17A, MCP1, and TNFα, improve anti-oxidant capacity, and suppress the phosphorylation of NF-κB and MAPKs. CONCLUSIONS: Quercetin has specific protective effect on CP/CPPS, which is mediated by anti-inflammation, anti-oxidation, and at least partly through NF-κB and MAPK signaling pathways.

A Retrospective Study Comparing Surgical and Early Oncological Outcomes between Intracorporeal and Extracorporeal Ileal Conduit after Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy from a Single Center.

BACKGROUND: Robot-assisted/laparoscopic intracorporeal ileal conduit (ICIC) has been reported in many experienced centers. Whether laparoscopic ICIC is superior to extracorporeal ileal conduit (ECIC) and whether laparoscopic ICIC should be promoted is still controversial. The aim of the study was to compare surgical and early oncological outcomes between patients undergoing laparoscopic radical cystectomy (LRC) with ICIC and ECIC. METHODS: From January 2011 to June 2016, a total of 45 patients with bladder cancer underwent LRC with ileal conduit at our department, of whom 20 patients underwent LRC with ECIC and 25 patients underwent LRC with ICIC. Data of each patient's characteristics, surgical outcomes, and short-term oncological outcomes were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: LRC with ileal conduit was performed successfully on all 45 patients. There were no significant differences in patients' characteristics, mean total operative time, and mean estimated blood loss between the ICIC and ECIC groups. Median time of flatus and oral intake was shorter in the ICIC group compared with the ECIC group (3 vs. 5 days, P = 0.035; 4 vs. 5 days, P = 0.002). The complications rates did not show significant difference between the two groups within the first 90 days postoperatively (P = 0.538). Cancer staging showed 45% of patients in the ECIC group and 36% in the ICIC group had a pathologic stage of T3 or T4, and 50% of patients in the ECIC group and 44% in the ICIC group had a pathologic stage of N1 or N1+. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed no significant difference in overall survival at 24 months (60% vs. 62%, P = 0.857) between the ECIC and ICIC groups. CONCLUSIONS: ICIC after LRC may be successful with the benefits of faster recovery time. No significant difference was found in complications and oncological outcomes between ICIC and ECIC. However, larger series with longer follow-up are needed to validate this procedure.

[Retropublic extraperitoneal laparoscopic prostatectomy with urethra preservation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and superiority of retropubic extraperitoneal laparoscopic simple prostatectomy with prostatic urethra preservation to treat large volume benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) . METHODS: From January 2006 to August 2009, laparoscopic simple prostatectomy with prostatic urethra preservation was performed in 45 patients with symptomatic BPH,and the age of patients was 70.5+/-7.2 (range 47 to 83) years old. The transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) revealed BPH and calculated prostatic gland weight was 126.1+/-52.4 (range 62 to 365) g. There were 3 cases presented with bladder calculus and 1 case presented with bladder diverticulum. The technique included retropubic extraperitoneal space produced by balloon dilation, five trocars in a reverted U shape placed,transverse prostatic capsular incision made, subcapsular plane developed, prostatic adenoma removed while prostatic urethra preserved as well as prostatic capsule sutured. Demographic, perioperative and outcome data were recorded. RESULTS: No patient required conversion to open surgery. The mean operative time was 123.9+/-51.3 (range 37 to 270) minutes and the estimated blood loss was 230.6+/-194.5 (range 50 to 800) mL. Blood transfusion was not necessary in this group of patients. Bladder irrigation was not needed except for the initial 2 cases and the average Foley catheter duration was 7.5+/-3.5 (range 2 to 14) days. Significant improvement was noted in the maximum flow rate, the International Prostate Score Symptoms (IPSS) and the quality of life questionnaires (QOL) three months after surgery. The erectile function was preserved in all patients who were potent before surgery and the ejaculation maintained antegrade. No urinary incontinence was reported by patients. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic simple prostatectomy with prostatic urethra preservation for large benign prostatic hyperplasia is feasible and reproducible. Postoperative bladder irrigation can be avoided and antegrade ejaculation is preserved. The patients have a shorter hospital stay and early return to normal activity.