Anti-tumoral effect of beta-blockers on prostate and bladder cancer cells via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.

The incidence of prostate cancer in the world is increasing every year. Death caused by prostate cancer is increased by 13% in men between 1980 and 2005. It is the second leading cause of cancer death in men after lung cancer. Bladder cancer is the second most common of urological malignancies. Most of the bladder cancers are treated with transurethral resection. Even great efforts have been made in the treatment of bladder cancer over the past years, it still remains as a major health problem. New therapeutic approaches are required to prevent the development and metastasis of these diseases. Experimental and clinical studies have shown potential beneficial effects of co-administration of beta-adrenergic receptor antagonists (beta-blockers) during cancer therapy. This study aimed to investigate the anti-tumor activity of beta-blockers on prostate and bladder cancer. Prostate and bladder cancer cell lines were cultured and treated with beta-blocker (propranolol). Then, protein levels and activity of apoptotic pathway mediators and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway mediators were analyzed by ELISA. Propranolol treatment elevated the activity of caspase-3 and expression of bax, Wee1, GADD153 and apoptosis-inducing factor, but decreased bcl-2 which is an antiapoptotic protein. Propranolol treatment also inhibited ERK and JNK activity. This study showed that propranolol will help to inhibit prostate and bladder cancer by activating apoptotic pathway and by inhibiting MAPK pathway. This is the first study investigating the apoptotic effect of propranolol via MAPK on prostate and bladder cancer.

Influence of visual acuity level on sexual function in patients with cataract.

Purpose: To assess the association of sexual function with visual acuity. Methods: Patients were included in the mild to moderate visual impairment (MVI), severe visual impairment (SVI), and profound visual impairment (PVI) groups based on bilateral corrected distance visual acuity. All patients completed the Turkish version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Glombok-Rust Inventory of Sexual Satisfaction (GRISS) scales before and at 1 month after the cataract surgery. Results: Mean IIEF scores did not improve after cataract surgery in the MVI group (P > 0.05). Sexual desire, intercourse satisfaction, overall satisfaction, and total IIEF score were significantly improved after cataract surgery in both the SVI and PVI groups (P < 0.05). Mean GRISS subscale scores did not improve after cataract surgery in the MVI group (P > 0.05). Non-sensuality, avoidance, dissatisfaction, infrequency, noncommunication, and total GRISS score were significantly improved after cataract surgery in both the SVI and PVI groups (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The study results documented the association of low visual acuity and decreased sexual desire and satisfaction and revealed the beneficial effect of visual improvement.

Association of pupil responses with severity of erectile dysfunction in diabetes mellitus.

Purpose: To investigate the relation between erectile dysfunction (ED) severity and pupillary functions in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: This prospective and observational study included 90 patients with type 2 DM and ED. Patients divided into three subgroups according to severity of ED: (i) Mild ED, (ii) Moderate ED and (iii) Severe ED groups. Thirty age-matched healthy subjects formed the control group. Main outcome measures were pupil diameter and average speed of pupil dilation. Static and dynamic pupillometry analysis was performed using the Sirius Topographer (CSO, Firenze, Italy). Results: Mean pupil diameter during static and dynamic pupillometry analysis were significantly greater in the control group than in the all study groups (P < 0.05). Mean pupil diameter in static pupillometry analysis was significantly different in each study group and pupil was more miotic in the Severe ED group than in the both Moderate and Mild ED groups (P < 0.05 for each). Dynamic pupillometry analysis revealed that mean pupil diameter and mean average dilation speed were significantly different in each study group throughout measurement period and the highest speed was observed in the Mild ED group and the lowest speed was observed in the severe ED group (P < 0.005 for each). Conclusion: Our study results suggest that abnormal pupil functions due to diabetic autonomic neuropathy may indicate the associated ED in patients with DM.

Association of diabetic retinopathy stage with the severity of female urinary incontinence.

PURPOSE: To assess the relation between diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity and urinary incontinence (UI) in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective and observational study included 153 subjects. Patients were divided into three subgroups, according to severity of DR, as: No-DR, nonproliferative DR (NPDR), and proliferative DR (PDR); 40 age-matched healthy subjects formed the control group. Turkish version of the Urogenital Stress Inventory 6 (UDI-6) and Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) were used to assess the UI symptoms and their effect on quality of life. The UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores were the primary outcomes of the study. RESULTS: No significant difference was observed between groups regarding age, maternal parity, body mass index, type of delivery, menopausal status, and smoking. The mean UDI-6 urgency UI questions score was significantly higher in the PDR group and significantly higher in the NPDR group than in the control group. The mean UDI-6 stress UI questions score was similar between groups. The mean UDI-6 voiding difficulty questions score was significantly higher in the PDR group and no significant difference was observed between other groups. The mean IIQ-7 score was significantly lower in the PDR group. A moderate and positive correlation was found between glycated hemoglobin level and the UDI-6 urgency UI and voiding difficulty questions and total scores. A weak and positive correlation was found between the duration of DM and the all UDI-6 scores. CONCLUSION: The present study showed that UI symptoms and their effect on QOL were more severe in patients with PDR.

Coexistence of Upper Airway Obstruction and Primary and Secondary Enuresis Nocturna in Children and the Effect of Surgical Treatment for the Resolution of Enuresis Nocturna.

Objective. The aim of this study is to investigate the coexistence of upper airway obstruction (UAO) and primary enuresis nocturna (PEN) and secondary enuresis nocturna (SEN) in children. Besides, the efficacy of surgery on resolution of enuresis nocturna is evaluated. Materials and Methods. The children with PEN and SEN were included in the first group and investigated for UAO in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology. During the same period, children who had been planned for an operation to treat UAO over 5 years old were included in the second group and were evaluated in the Department of Urology for PEN and SEN before the operation. Results. A hundred patients completed the study (50 patients in Group 1, 50 patients in Group 2). According to the otolaryngologic examination, 20 of 25 PEN patients and 9 of 25 SEN patients also had UAO. The difference was statistically different (P < 0.05). The second group consisted of fifty patients on the surgery list for upper airway obstructive pathologies. Coexistence of PEN and SEN is found in 12 and 3 of children, respectively. These ratios were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The improvement rate of PEN and SEN after operation in the second group was 83.3% and 33.3%, respectively. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion. There is a strong relationship between PEN and UAO, but it cannot be declared for SEN patients. UAO should be kept in mind as a possible etiologic factor for PEN.