[Salidroside regulates the phenotypic transformation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of rats through the PDGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of Salidroside regulating the phenotypic transformation of cavernous smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) in rats. METHODS: Primary CCSMCs were isolated from male SD rats, cultured in hypoxic environment for 24 hours, and treated with Salidroside at 30 µg/mL. Then the expressions of HIF-1α, platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR) and phenotypic transformation-related proteins α-SMA and Collagen I were detected by Western blot. The culture system of the CCSMCs was treated with exogenous PDGF-BB at 20 ng/mL for 24 hours, and the effects of Salidroside or PDGFR inhibitor Crenolanib (100 nmol/L) were observed. The expressions of PDGFR, phosphorylated PDGFR, phenotypic transformation-related proteins α-SMA and Collagen I, STAT3, phosphorylated STAT3, STAT5 and phosphorylated STAT5 were determined by Western blot. The intervention effects of Salidroside and/or the overexpression of STAT3 were observed after stimulation of the CCSMCs by exogenous PDGF-BB, followed by detection of the expressions of phenotypic transformation-related proteins α-SMA and Collagen I, STAT3 and phosphorylated STAT3 proteins. RESULTS: The expression of HIF-1α in the CCSMCs was significantly upregulated after cultured in hypoxic environment for 24 hours (P < 0.05), suggesting the successful construction of the hypoxia model of CCSMCs. Meanwhile, the expressions of PDGFRα, PDGFRß and Collagen I were remarkably increased (all P < 0.05), and that of α-SMA markedly decreased (P < 0.05) in the CCSMCs. However, the expressions of the all the proteins above were significantly inhibited by Salidroside intervention (all P < 0.05). After stimulated by exogenous PDGF-BB for 24 hours, the phosphorylation ratios of PDGFRα, PDGFRß and STAT3 and the expression of Collagen I were significantly elevated (all P < 0.05), that of α-SMA remarkably reduced (P < 0.05), and all were inhibited by intervention with crenolanib or Salidroside (all P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in the STAT5 phosphorylation ratio between different groups (P > 0.05). Overexpression of STAT3 in the CCSMCs treated with exogenous PDGF-BB and Salidroside significantly decreased the expression of α-SMA (P < 0.05) and increased that of Collagen I (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Salidroside could improve the phenotypic transformation of CCSMCs in male rats through the PDGFR/STAT3 signaling pathway, which needs further exploration and verification.

Rare case of brucellosis misdiagnosed as prostate carcinoma with lumbar vertebra metastasis: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Prostatitis caused by Brucella infection is rare and usually lacks typical lower urinary tract symptoms. However, Brucella infection can cause serum prostate-specific antigen levels to become abnormally elevated. When concurrent with lumbar vertebra infection and erosion, brucellosis can easily be misdiagnosed as prostate cancer with bone metastasis. CASE SUMMARY: A 45-year-old man complained of recurrent low back pain and fever for 2 wk. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbar vertebrae showed abnormal signs at the rear of the L4-5 vertebral body. Serum prostate-specific antigen level was 17.64 ng/mL, and positron emission tomography/computed tomography suggested the possibility of prostate cancer with liver and lumbar metastases. The patient was transferred to our department for further treatment. He experienced repeated bouts of fever and low back pain during hospitalization. Biopsy results indicated prostatitis. There was no significant increase in white blood cell count or procalcitonin levels. The Mycobacterium tuberculosis smear and antibody detection results were negative. Cefoperazone sulbactam was not effective. Blood culture test results were positive for brucellosis, confirming the diagnosis of brucellosis. After oral anti-infection treatment with doxycycline and rifampicin, the body temperature gradually returned to normal, and lumbago improved. After continuous treatment for 6 mo, the patient recovered. CONCLUSION: In patients with low back pain and fever accompanied by elevated prostate-specific antigen levels and lesions of the prostate and lumbar spine, a detailed medical history and blood and urine cultures should be obtained, and attention should be given to the local epidemic infectious disease situation.

Transurethral plasmakinetic resection of the prostate is a reliable minimal invasive technique for benign prostate hyperplasia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of plasmakinetic resection of the prostate (PKRP) versus transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) for the treatment of patients with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was carried out. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library. The pooled estimates of maximum flow rate, International Prostate Symptom Score, operation time, catheterization time, irrigated volume, hospital stay, transurethral resection syndrome, transfusion, clot retention, urinary retention and urinary stricture were assessed. There was no notable difference in International Prostate Symptom Score between TURP and PKRP groups during the 1-month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months follow-up period, while the pooled Q max at 1-month favored PKRP group. PKRP group was related to a lower risk rate of transurethral resection syndrome, transfusion and clot retention, and the catheterization time and operation time were also shorter than that of TURP. The irrigated volume, length of hospital stay, urinary retention and urinary stricture rate were similar between groups. In conclusion, our study suggests that the PKRP is a reliable minimal invasive technique and may anticipatorily prove to be an alternative electrosurgical procedure for the treatment of BPH.