Left-colon antegrade enema (LACE): Long-term experience with the Macedo-Malone approach.

AIMS: We evaluated the long-term results with a left antegrade continence enema (LACE) approach: "Macedo-Malone (MM) procedure" to define parameters such as clinical durability of the technique and patients' compliance with the method. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records of all patients that underwent the MM procedure in our institution since 2001 and conducted a telephonic interview to investigate the use of the enema and satisfaction with the procedure. RESULTS: Thirty-five MM procedures were performed, but eight patients lost to follow-up were excluded. Fifteen patients (55%) were female. Myelomeningocele was the clinical diagnoses in 25 (93%). Mean age at surgery was 9 years (3-27 years) and mean follow-up was 75 months (median: 56 months). The indication for LACE was clinically intractable constipation with fecal leakage. Most patients still used the stoma regularly to do the enema (74%). Mean washout time was 27 min (2-90 min). The revision rate due to stenosis was 22.2% (6/27) and all underwent suprafascial revision. We performed one classical MACE by infrafascial approach as a salvage procedure. Overall reoperation rate was 25.8% and fecal continence was 89%. There were no reports of leakage through the stoma. Among patients who still used the stoma, 74% were satisfied with surgery and would strongly recommend the procedure to another patient. CONCLUSIONS: The MM procedure is a straightforward procedure, which can be performed in 15-20 min, avoids additional entero-entero anastomosis, precludes the use of the appendix, and has shown comparable results to either "classical" MACE or other LACE variants. Neurourol. Urodynam. 36:111-115, 2017. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Categorization of bladder dynamics and treatment after fetal myelomeningocele repair: first 50 cases prospectively assessed.

PURPOSE: We categorized bladder patterns and principles of treatment applied to patients who underwent myelomeningocele repair during gestation in a prospective urological assessment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed urinary tract ultrasound, voiding cystourethrogram and urodynamic evaluation. We then categorized patients into 4 patterns, including normal, high risk (overactive bladder with detrusor leak point pressure greater than 40 cm H2O and high filling pressure also greater than 40 cm H2O), incontinent and underactive bladder. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients were enrolled in study at the first medical appointment. Urodynamic evaluation was done in 48 of these patients as the initial investigation, enabling attribution of a bladder pattern. The high risk pattern was found in 27 patients (56.2%), 18 were incontinent and 1 had an underactive bladder. Only 2 patients (4.2%) in this series had a normal bladder. CONCLUSIONS: Of patients who underwent myelomeningocele closure during gestation 93.7% had significant lower urinary tract dysfunction consisting of high bladder pressure or incontinence. These data reinforce the absolute need to follow these patients closely. The potential benefits of fetal surgery in the urinary tract remain to be proved.

Urological evaluation of patients that had undergone in utero myelomeningocele closure: A prospective assessment at first presentation and early follow-up. Do their bladder benefit from it?

AIMS: To report our data on initial urological presentation after in utero myelomeningocele (MMC) closure. METHODS: A prospective urological assessment at first presentation was designed for patients that had undergone in utero MMC closure and referred to our urological facility. The protocol consisted of detailed medical history, renal sonography, voiding cystourethrogram, and urodynamic evaluation. RESULTS: In utero MMC closure was performed in 19 patients at gestational age of 25.6 weeks 25-27. Birth occurred at a mean gestational age of 31.8 weeks 26-36. Hyperactive bladder was observed in 89.5% 17/19. Bladder compliance was normal in two cases (10.5%), was markedly reduced in 10 patients (52.6%) and not possible to be determined due to urinary leakage in 7 patients (36.8%). We observed normal bladder capacity in 8 patients (42.1%), reduced in 11 (57.9%), and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia in 9 patients (47.4%). Underactive bladder was diagnosed in one case. Clean Intermittent Catheterization was initiated by 11 patients (57.9%) mostly in association with anticholinergics 10/11. Vesicoureteral reflux was found in 5 patients (26.3%) and 9 had pyelonephritis at a mean follow-up of 5.4 months 2-17. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that despite in utero MMC surgery, patients are at risk for bladder abnormal function and renal deterioration and should be aggressively treated, not differently from those operated in the post-natal term. This study has the merit of being a prospectively set evaluation performed by one investigator, including the urodynamic study. We acknowledge the need of long-term follow up.

Comparative analysis of the pressure profilometry of vesicocutaneous continent catheterizable conduits between patients with and without rectus abdominis neosphincter (Yachia principle).

AIMS: To assess whether crossing rectus abdominis muscle strips, as proposed by Yachia, would change urinary catheterizable conduit's pressure profilometry, in static and dynamic conditions. METHODS: Non-randomized selection of 20 continent patients that underwent Macedo's ileum-based reservoir, 10 including Yachia's technique (Study Group) and 10 without this mechanism of continence (Control Group). Demographics and cystometric data were assessed. Conduit's pressure profilometry was obtained by infusing saline through a multichannel catheter, at rest and during Valsalva maneuver. We assessed the pressure: (a) in the bladder; (b) in conduit's proximal segment; and (c) in conduit's distal segment, which is presumably the abdominal wall and crossed muscle strips site. RESULTS: Mean age at surgery was 6.1 years in the Control Group and 7.7 years in the Study Group. There was no statistically significant difference between groups regarding maximum cystometric bladder capacity and leakage point pressure. At rest, the pressure profilometry showed similar results between groups in all segments analyzed. During Valsalva maneuver, pressure profilometry showed similar results between groups in bladder and conduit's proximal segment pressure. In this condition, conduit's distal segment pressure in the Study Group (Mean = 72.9 and Peak = 128.7 cmH2 O) was significantly greater (P < 0.05) than conduit's distal segment pressure in the Control Group (Mean = 48.3 and Peak = 65.1 cmH2 O). CONCLUSIONS: Crossing muscle strips over the conduit significantly increases the pressure in its distal segment during contraction of the rectus abdominis muscle, which can be important in moments of sudden increase in abdominal pressure in order to keep continence.

Lumican expression, localization and antitumor activity in prostate cancer.

The stromal reaction surrounding tumors leads to the formation of a tumor-specific microenvironment, which may play either a restrictive role or a supportive role in the growth and progression of the tumors. Lumican, a small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) of the extracellular matrix (ECM), regulates collagen fibrillogenesis. Recently, lumican has also been shown to regulate cell behavior during embryonic development, tissue repair and tumor progression. The role of lumican in cancer varies according to the type of tumor. In this study we analyze the role of lumican in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer both in vivo and in vitro. Overall lumican up-regulation was observed in the primary tumors analyzed through both real-time PCR and immunostaining. The increase in lumican expression was observed in the reactive stroma surrounding prostate primary tumors with fibrotic deposition surrounding the acinar glands. In vitro analysis demonstrated that lumican inhibited both the migration and invasion of metastatic prostate cancer cells isolated from lymph node, bone and brain. Moreover, prostate cancer cells seeded on lumican presented a decrease in the formation of cellular projections, lamellipodia detected by a decreased rearrangement in ZO-1, keratin 8/18, integrin ß1 and MT1-MMP, and invadopodia detected by disruption of α-smooth muscle actin, cortactin and N-WASP. Moreover, a significant increase in prostate cancer cell invasion was observed through the peritoneum of lumican knockout mice, further demonstrating the restrictive role lumican present in the ECM has on prostate cancer invasion. In conclusion, lumican present in the reactive stroma surrounding prostate primary tumors plays a restrictive role on cancer progression, and we therefore postulate that lumican could be a valuable marker in prostate cancer staging.

Testosterone supplementation's effects on age-related bladder remodeling - experimental study in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of testosterone replacement on the fibrotic process of the detrusor bladder muscle during the normal aging process. METHODS: 15 Wistar senile rats, aged between 18 and 20 months were divided into two groups: testosterone group - 11 animals submitted to the administration of testosterone undecanoate (50 mg/kg intramuscular), once per month; and, Control group - four animals underwent a sham procedure. At the end of eight weeks, animals from both groups were sacrificed; bladders were removed and subsequently stereologically evaluated to determine the volumetric density of collagen fibers. The success of testosterone administration was confirmed by the measurement of serum testosterone at the beginning and end of the experiment. RESULTS: In the replacement group, testosterone average was 3.2 ng/ml, whereas in the control group, the mean testosterone at the end of the experiment was 0.64 ng/ml (p < 0.05). Analysis of stereological collagenous fiber showed higher density in the control group compared to the testosterone group I (56% versus 37.02%, respectively). The difference of volume concentration of collagen between both groups was statistically significant (p < 0.000). CONCLUSION: Bladder wall fibrosis was reduced in senile rats subjected to testosterone replacement.

Keratinized versus non-keratinized preputial flap onlay urethroplasty: does it make any difference in the histological analysis? An experimental study in rabbits.

PURPOSE: To compare the histological characteristics of keratinized versus non-keratinized onlay island flaps in an experimental rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen male rabbits were randomly allocated into two experimental groups: keratinized and non-keratinized onlay island flaps. A defect was created in the ventral aspect of the penile urethra. In the keratinized group, a longitudinal island flap was harvested from the external prepuce and rotated to cover the urethral defect. In the non-keratinized group a transverse island flap was harvested from the inner prepuce. The animals were sacrificed after 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks. RESULTS: The flaps were viable in all animals, and no deaths were associated with the procedure. Two urethrocutaneous fistulas were identified, one in each experimental group. A similar pattern of fibrosis was identified in both groups. The keratinized epithelium of the external prepuce kept its histological aspect and keratin production. Both keratinized and non-keratinized groups presented a slight decrease on the epithelial thickness, however without a statistically significant difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: In this short-term rabbit model, we observed that the stratified squamous keratinized epithelium from the external prepuce kept its keratin production. There was no statistical influence of the flap type on the mean epithelial thickness.

Cloacal exstrophy: a complex disease.

INTRODUCTION: Cloacal exstrophy is a rare occurrence with an incidence of 1:200,000 to 1:400,000 live births. It represents one of the most challenging reconstructive endeavors faced by pediatric surgeons and urologists. Aside from the genitourinary defects, there are other associated anomalies of the gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and neurological systems that require a multidisciplinary approach when counseling anxious parents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present a video of a patient with cloacal exstrophy treated with 21 days of life. Surgery consisted of separation and tubularization of the cecal plate from the exstrophied bladder halves and colostomy construction. The bladder was closed primarily and umbilical scar reconstructed and used for ureteral and cistostomy drainage. A urethral catheter was used to guide bladder neck tubularization. A final epispadic penis was obtained and planned for further repair in a second step. RESULTS: The patient had an initial uneventful postoperative course and immediate outcome was excellent. The bladder healed nicely but patient presented with abdominal distension in the 5th day of postoperative setting requiring parenteral nutrition. The distal colon persisted with lower diameter although non obstructive, but causing difficulty for fecal progression. Continuous colostomy dilatation and irrigation were required. CONCLUSIONS: Approximating the bladder halves in the midline at birth and primary bladder closure is a viable option, intestinal transit may be a issue of concern in the early postoperative follow-up.

Sex with animals (SWA): behavioral characteristics and possible association with penile cancer. A multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Zoophilia has been known for a long time but, underreported in the medical literature, is likely a risk factor for human urological diseases. AIM: To investigate the behavioral characteristics of sex with animals (SWA) and its associations with penile cancer (PC) in a case-control study. METHODS: A questionnaire about personal and sexual habits was completed in interviews of 118 PC patients and 374 controls (healthy men) recruited between 2009 and 2010 from 16 urology and oncology centers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: SWA rates, geographic distribution, duration, frequency, animals involved, and behavioral habits were investigated and used to estimate the odds of SWA as a PC risk factor. RESULTS: SWA was reported by 171 (34.8%) subjects, 44.9% of PC patients and 31.6% of controls (P < 0.008). The mean ages at first and last SWA episode were 13.5 years (standard deviation [SD] 4.4 years) and 17.1 years (SD 5.3 years), respectively. Subjects who reported SWA also reported more venereal diseases (P < 0.001) and sex with prostitutes (P < 0.001), and were more likely to have had more than 10 lifetime sexual partners (P < 0.001) than those who did not report SWA. SWA with a group of men was reported by 29.8% of subjects and SWA alone was reported by 70.2%. Several animals were used by 62% of subjects, and 38% always used the same animal. The frequency of SWA included single (14%), weekly or more (39.5%), and monthly episodes (15%). Univariate analysis identified phimosis, penile premalignancies, smoking, nonwhite race, sex with prostitutes, and SWA as PC risk factors. Phimosis, premalignant lesions, smoking, and SWA remained as risk factors in multivariate analysis. However, SWA did not impact the clinicopathological outcomes of PC. CONCLUSION: SWA is a risk factor for PC and may be associated with venereal diseases. New studies are required in other populations to test other possible nosological links with SWA.

Hypospadias.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies in men. We searched the recent literature (since 1 January 2011) using the following keywords in the title or abstract: hypospadia or hypospadias, in order to provide the reader with an updated view of the subject. RECENT FINDINGS: Early repair is recommended; distal forms are mainly treated by the tubularized incised plate technique; however, meatal stricture concerns are still noticed, limiting its use on proximal forms. The debate of proximal primary repair in either one or two stages is still ongoing. Minor modifications for preparing the distal bed for the urethroplasty in two stages are presented. One-stage repairs, either with reconstruction of the urethral plate (three-in-one concept) or simply with the onlay to tunica albuginea (Rigamonti), is a viable option with over 70% success in one surgery. The importance of barriers, such as tunica vaginalis and dartos flap, was reassessed and flow rates may indicate obstructive voiding patterns after 1-year follow-up. SUMMARY: Further experience and comparative studies for distal and proximal hypospadias are required. Long-term data may indicate the appropriate procedure selected for primary repair.

α-Tocopherol supplementation avoids apoptosis in the anal sphincter.

PURPOSE: To analyze the influence of α-tocopherol supplementation on the levels of oxidative stress and apoptosis rates in the anal sphincter induced by orchiectomy in rats. METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g, were divided into four groups and sacrificed 8 weeks after: I- Control: sham; II- Orchiectomy: bilateral orchiectomy; III- Pre Orchiectomy Tocopherol: α-tocopherol supplementation for 4 weeks preceding bilateral orchiectomy; IV- Orchiectomy Full Tocopherol: α-tocopherol supplementation for 4 weeks before and 8 weeks after bilateral orchiectomy. The anal sphincter was analyzed stereologically to evaluate the density of collagen and the muscle fibers. The oxidative stress and the apoptosis were determined with 8-isprostane and caspase-3, respectively. RESULTS: The collagen fibers concentration was statistically greater in Orchiectomy group than the others. The muscle fibers concentration was higher in Control and Orchiectomy Full Tocopherol than Orchiectomy and Pre Orchiectomy Tocopherol groups. Orchiectomy group showed higher 8-isoprostane concentrations compared to the other groups (p < 0.0003). Pre Orchiectomy Tocopherol and Orchiectomy Full Tocopherol groups presented caspase-3 levels lower than the Orchiectomy group (0.0072). CONCLUSION: Vitamin supplementation with α-tocopherol for 12 weeks had the highest protection against bilateral orchiectomy generation of reactive oxygen species as well as apoptosis in the muscle fibers of the anal sphincter of rats.

Impact of castration with or without alpha-tocopherol supplementation on the urethral sphincter of rats.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of low levels of testosterone induced by orchiectomy and the effect of alpha-tocopherol supplementation on oxidative stress in the urethral sphincter. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g were divided into four groups with 10 each: Sham group; Orchiectomy group: bilateral orchiectomy; Orchiectomy-pre-Tocopherol group: bilateral orchiectomy preceded by alpha-tocopherol supplementation for four weeks; Orchiectomy-full-Tocopherol group: bilateral orchiectomy with alpha-tocopherol supplementation for four weeks preceding the procedure and for eight weeks afterwards. At the protocol end, animals were euthanized and had the sphincter analyzed stereologically focusing on collagen and muscle fibers percentage. Oxidative stress levels were determined using 8-epi-PGF2. RESULTS: The 8-epi-PGF2 levels were statistically higher (p < 0.0003) in the Orchiectomy group compared to others groups while Sham and Orchiectomy-full-Tocopherol groups presented statistically similar values (p = 0.52). Collagen volumetric densities were significantly lower in Sham and Orchiectomy-full-Tocopherol groups (p < 0.022). Sham group presented statistically greater muscle fiber percent. CONCLUSION: Castration caused oxidative stress in the urethral sphincter complex, with increased collagen deposition. Alpha-tocopherol had a protective effect and its supplementation for twelve weeks provided the greatest protection.

Antioxidant supplementation decreases the cell death rate in the prostatic stromal tissue of long-term castrated rats.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of castration on cell death rate of the adult rat prostates and to evaluate the benefic action of alpha tocopherol supplementation to avoid apoptosis post-orchiectomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty male Wistar rats weighing 250-300g were divided into three groups: group I - they were subjected to bilateral orchiectomy and sacrificed eight weeks after the procedure; group II - subjected to bilateral orchiectomy and alpha-tocopherol supplementation for four weeks preceding the procedure; and group III - subjected to bilateral orchiectomy and alpha-tocopherol supplementation for four weeks preceding the procedure and for eight weeks afterwards. At the end of the experiment, the prostatectomy was performed in all rats. The presence of oxidative stress was determined by assaying the blood level of 8-isoprostane and the occurrence of apoptosis was evaluated by identification of active caspase-3 through immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The statistic analysis of active caspase-3 showed that in the long-term castrated group the detection was higher than in groups were the alpha-tocopherol was supplemented (p=0.007). Analysis of 8-isoprostane levels showed higher concentrations of reactive oxygen species in group I compared to other groups (p < 0.05). Groups II and III presented active caspase-3 lower than in group I (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our exploratory analyses demonstrate a method to study the aging process and its influence on oxidative stress of prostatic tissue and cells death rate. Based on our results we can suggest that alpha tocopherol supplementation can decrease the apoptotic process as well as the oxidative stress levels induced by androgen deprivation of the prostate gland.

The final stage of the laparoscopic procedure: exploring final steps.

Despite significant advances in laparoscopic technique and technologies, laparoscopic Urologic surgery remains technically demanding regarding various surgical steps including the challenge of specimen retrieval and extraction, whether to install a drainage system and the best option for wound closure. Laparoscopic specimen entrapment and extraction occurs at what is falsely considered the ″end of the procedure″. During open surgery, after the specimen has been mobilized, the specimen is simply lifted out of the larger incision which has been made to achieve the surgical objectives. In contrast, significant laparoscopic skill is required to entrapand safely extract laparoscopic specimens. Indeed, the Urologist and surgical team which are transitioning from open surgery may disregard this important part of the procedure which may lead to significant morbidity. As such, it is imperative that during laparoscopic procedures, the ″end of the procedure″ be strictly defined as the termination of skin closure and dressing placement. Taking a few minutes to focus on safe specimen entrapment and extraction will substantially reduce major morbidity. The following review focus on the technology and technique of specimen entrapment and extraction, on the matter of whether to install a drainage system of the abdominal cavity and the options for adequate closure of trocar site wounds. This article 's primary objectives are to focus on how to minimize morbidity while maintain the advantages of a minimally invasive surgical approach.

The buccal mucosa fenestrated graft for Bracka first stage urethroplasty: experimental study in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To histologically evaluate, in an experimental study in rabbits, the integration process of the buccal mucosa fenestrated graft applied in the corpora cavernosa for Bracka first stage urethroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A urethral defect was surgically created in 16 male rabbits of the New Zealand breed through the excision of the penile urethra. The urethral defect was corrected by applying buccal mucosa fenestrated graft through two cruciform incisions in the distal portions of its longitudinal axis. The animals were sacrificed at 2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks post surgery and their genitals were subjected to clinical and histological assessment. RESULTS: The buccal mucosa fenestrated graft showed complete uptake in all groups, with keratinization squamous metaplasia and mucosal proliferation of the fenestrated areas. The fenestrated graft area represented an increase in length of 25 % in length in relation to the original standard graft. CONCLUSIONS: The fenestrated buccal mucosa graft presented total integration to the adjacent epithelia with re-epithelization of the incision areas of the graft (fenestrations) and no significant inflammatory or scarring reactions when compared to other mucosa transplanted areas; therefore its application is viable in cases of extensive urethral defect whenever the donating area might be insufficient.

Influence of oxidative stress on inducing micturition dysfunction following chronic infravesical obstruction and the protective role of an antioxidant diet - association of in vivo and in vitro studies in rats.

OBJECTIVE: This study was developed to determine whether the generation of free radicals, induced by ischemia followed by reperfusion in a model of chronic intravesical obstruction in rats, would lead to damage in the detrusor. It also investigates the possible protective action of the flavonoid galangin on the tissue lesion induced by lipid peroxidation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-one male rats were divided into three groups of seven animals each. Group A was subjected to a sham procedure; group B to partial obstruction of the bladder neck; and group C to partial obstruction of the bladder neck, but also received a diet rich in the flavonoid galangin. All the animals were subjected to urodynamic evaluation and then sacrificed. The bladders were sent for enzymatic tests. RESULTS: The urodynamic showed that group B developed significantly greater numbers of involuntary contractions of the detrusor, greater post-micturition residue and lower compliance. The group A presented TEAC levels greater than to the group B. Comparative analysis of group A, B and C demonstrated significantly greater malondialdehyde levels in group B in relation to groups A and C. The group B presented smaller contraction amplitudes than did groups A and C, in electrically stimulated contractions. CONCLUSIONS: That oxidative stress is implicated in the damage to the detrusor musculature following a period of chronic intravesical obstruction. We show, for the first time, that administration of an antioxidant prior to and following the start of chronic obstruction makes it possible to avoid the cellular lesions that cause detrusor dysfunction.

Urethral duplication II-A Y type with rectal urethra: ASTRA approach and tunica vaginalis flap for first stage repair.

INTRODUCTION: Urethral duplication is a rare congenital anomaly affecting mainly boys. Generally, the duplication develops on the sagittal plane; the accessory urethra may run dorsally or ventrally to the orthotopic one. We present a patient with urethral duplication in which the orthotopic urethra was patent in the penile segment but atresic in the bulbar and prostatic segment. The patient had urinary flow from the rectum and the ectopic urethra could be well identified by anal examination. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Age at surgery was 13 months. The procedure consisted of an ASTRA (anterior sagittal trans-ano-rectal) approach for dividing the urethra and rectum and was successful to move the urethra up to the perineal area. The rectum was reconstructed and the patient placed into a lithotomy position. A urethral catheter inserted in the penile urethra oriented us were the atresic urethra in bulbar area started. The scrotum was opened in the middle and the distance between the two urethral stumps proximal and distal defined the extension of no urethral tissue that consisted of 5 cm. We opened the right scrotal space and a tunica vaginalis flap was obtained and attached to the bulbar tissue for a two-stage urethroplasty strategy. RESULTS: Patient had a nice healing and the tunica vaginalis was nicely incorporated to the adjacent tissue, having the two urethral stumps well delineated. CONCLUSIONS: ASTRA approach in combination with a two-stage urethroplasty with tunica vaginalis dorsal flap proved to be an excellent combination for a rare case of urethral Y duplication having the main urethra into the rectum.

Macroscopic and histological evaluation of tunica vaginalis dorsal grafting in the first stage of Bracka's urethroplasty: an experimental study in rabbits.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of tunica vaginalis as a dorsal free graft in the first stage of Bracka's urethroplasty in a rabbit animal model using macroscopic and histological analysis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Surgery was performed on 16 rabbits, divided into four groups of four according to the number of weeks after surgery at which they were killed (2, 4, 8 and 12 weeks). The penile urethra was removed and only the ventral aspect of the urethra was reconstructed using a tunica vaginalis free graft dorsally fixed in the corpora cavernosa. Epithelial, inflammatory and fibrotic changes in the graft were evaluated macroscopically then histologically at the point when each rabbit group was killed. RESULTS: Macroscopic evaluation showed good graft uptake with minimal retraction (P > 0.05). Histological evaluation showed a reduction in the inflammatory process during the first 4 weeks, after which inflammation stabilized. The mesothelium was partially healed at 2 and 8 weeks with a metaplasia defined by a stratified squamous, non-keratinized lining. The grafted area was thinner than the surrounding penile skin and similar to urothelial native epithelium. CONCLUSION: Tunica vaginalis used as a free graft placed dorsally on the corpora cavernosa in the first stage of Bracka's urethroplasty shows good tissue integration and develops into a stratified non- keratinized epithelium (metaplasia) without significant retraction, despite exposure to the external environment.

Inhibitory activity of α-tocopherol on apoptosis in the rat bladder wall subjected to androgen deprivation.

Alpha-tocopherol (2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-chromon-8-ol) is used in many previous urological studies. Thus to add to this knowledge in this study we studied the potential inhibitory activity on oxidative stress and process apoptosis on bladder wall in male rats subjected to androgen deprivation. A causal relationship between lower testosterone levels and apoptosis, as a component of castration-induced muscle atrophy, has been shown. Male Wistar rats (250-300 g) were used in this experiment, divided into four groups: control (sham operation; n=10); castration (n=10); castration, with alpha-tocopherol supplementation over preceding four weeks (n=10); and castration, with alpha-tocopherol supplementation over preceding four weeks and subsequent eight weeks (n=10). Activated caspase-3 was detected using a previously described technique, with analysis using stereological methodology. Nonparametric methods were used to test statistical significance, taking a significance level of P<0.005. This study was approved by the ethics committee of the university where the project was developed. The serum testosterone concentrations before castration were less than 20 pg/ml. Analysis of 8-isoprostane showed statistical significance (P<0.0003). The volumetric density of caspase-3 showed significant differences between the groups. There was no statistical significance regarding caspase-3 between sham and alpha-tocopherol plus castration or between the groups that received alpha-tocopherol supplementation. The observations showed that there was greater apoptosis in the group with castration alone than in the groups with alpha-tocopherol supplementation. This finding, together with the induced androgen deprivation and higher 8-isoprostane levels, corroborates the hypothesis that alpha-tocopherol supplementation has an important protective effect under conditions of oxidative stress, thereby avoiding the apoptotic process, especially regarding aging.