Ethanolic Extract of Propolis Augments TRAIL-Induced Apoptotic Death in Prostate Cancer Cells

Prostate cancer is a commonly diagnosed cancer in men. The ethanolic extract of propolis (EEP) and its phenolic compounds possess immunomodulatory, chemopreventive and antitumor effects. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL/APO2L) is a naturally occurring anticancer agent that preferentially induces apoptosis in cancer cells and is not toxic to normal cells. We examined the cytotoxic and apoptotic effects of EEP and phenolic compounds isolated from propolis in combination with TRAIL on two prostate cancer cell lines, hormone-sensitivity LNCaP and hormone-refractory DU145. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide. The prostate cancer cell lines were proved to be resistant to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Our study demonstrated that EEP and its components significantly sensitize to TRAIL-induced death in prostate cancer cells. The percentage of the apoptotic cells after cotreatment with 50 μg mL−1 EEP and 100 ng mL−1 TRAIL increased to 74.9 ± 0.7% for LNCaP and 57.4 ± 0.7% for DU145 cells. The strongest cytotoxic effect on LNCaP cells was exhibited by apigenin, kaempferid, galangin and caffeic acid phenylethyl ester (CAPE) in combination with TRAIL (53.51 ± 0.68–66.06 ± 0.62% death cells). In this work, we showed that EEP markedly augmented TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in prostate cancer cells and suggested the significant role of propolis in chemoprevention of prostate cancer

Surgical methods of erectile dysfunction treatment

Zaburzenia erekcji (ED) są jedną z najczęstszych dysfunkcji seksualnych u mężczyzn w wieku 40–70 lat — dotyczą 50% z nich. Schemat terapeutyczny obejmuje leczenie: I rzutu — terapię preparatami doustnymi, II rzutu — iniekcje do ciał jamistych oraz III rzutu — leczenie chirurgiczne. Wskazaniami do leczenia III rzutu są: brak efektu wcześniejszych terapii lub brak zgody na ich zastosowanie, zaburzenia anatomiczne i organiczne oraz ED po przebytych operacjach w obrębie miednicy mniejszej (m.in. po prostatektomii radykalnej). Leczenie operacyjne ED dzieli się na chirurgię naczyniową oraz zabiegi implantacji protez prącia. Do pierwszej grupy można zaliczyć zabiegi w obrębie naczyń tętniczych — arterializację i rewaskularyzację oraz chirurgiczne leczenie dysfunkcji mechanizmu żylno-okluzyjnego w obrębie ciał jamistych (przecieku żylnego). Wymienione techniki stanowią postępowanie alternatywne, które można zastosować tylko u wybranych pacjentów. Implantacja protez prącia stanowi uznaną metodę leczenia ED, rekomendowaną przez Europejskie Towarzystwo Urologiczne. Obecnie dostępne są 2 modele 3-częściowych hydraulicznych protez prącia — AMS 700 i Coloplast Titan. Zabiegi wszczepienia protez prącia charakteryzują się bardzo dobrymi wynikami, z odsetkiem awarii mechanicznych szacowanym na mniej niż 5% w 5-letnim okresie obserwacji i ryzykiem infekcji wynoszącym około 1–2%. Poziom satysfakcji ze strony pacjentów, a także ich partnerek sięga 95%. W krajach zachodnich implantacje protez prącia mają ugruntowaną pozycję i są rutynowo wykonywanymi zabiegami. Od lutego 2013 roku zabiegi wszczepiania 3-częściowych hydraulicznych protez prącia są wykonywane w Polsce.Erectile dysfunctions are one of the most common sexual problems in men, appearing in 50% of the population at 40–70 years of age. Treatment regimen includes oral preparations — first-line treatment, injections to the corpora cavernosa — second-line treatment and surgical treatment — third-line treatment. An indication for the third-line treatment includes no effect after previous therapy or denial for such methods, anatomical and organic disorders, ED after operations within the pelvic (a.o. after radical prostatectomy). The surgical procedures can be divided into vascular surgery and implantation of penile prostheses. Among the first group we can distinguish penile microarterial bypass surgery — arterialization and revascularization and surgical treatment of dysfunction of veno-occlusive dysfunction (CVOD) within the corpora cavernosa (venous leak). The above techniques are an alternative that can be used only in selected patients. Implantation of penile prostheses is a recognized method for treatment of ED recommended by The European Association of Urology (EAU). At the moment, we have at our disposal two models of three-piece inflatable penile prostheses — AMS 700 and Coloplast Titan. Penile prostheses implantation treatments have very good clinical outcomes with mechanical failure estimated at less than 5% in the five-year period of observation, and the risk of infection approximately 1–2%. The level of satisfaction of the patients and their partners reaches 95%. In the Western countries implantation of penile prostheses is an established and are routinely performed surgery. Since February 2013 the surgery of implantation of the three-pieces inflatable penile prostheses are being performed in Poland

Zespół pęcherza nadreaktywnego — niedoszacowany problem chorych na cukrzycę

An overactive bladder (OAB) is a prevalent syndrom in general population with uncertain multifactorial aetiology. The features of OAB are also present in significant percent of diabetics. The clinical picture of OAB consists of troublesome clinical symptoms (urgency, frequency, nocturia, urge urinary incontinence). The precise medical history is the base of proper OAB diagnosis and the exclusion of all known reasons for OAB (anatomical, functional and hormonal) is essential to confirm its idiopathic aetiology. The background of OAB is formed by the disturbances of both structure and function of urothelium besides urinary bladder innervation and muscular dysfunction. In diabetics, the hyperglycaemia and secondary polyuria as well as the late diabetic complications (microangiopathy and neuropathy) are responsible for the OAB development. The mode of OAB treatment in diabetics does not differ from these accepted for general population, although the role of optimal hypoglycaemic therapy is emphasied. Unfortunately, even long-term multidirectional therapy (non-pharmacological, pharmacological or invasive treatments) does not ensure successful cure and all its effects are limited to mitigation of clinical signs intensity.Zespół pęcherza nadreaktywnego (ZPN) jest schorzeniem bardzo rozpowszechnionym w populacji ogólnej, charakteryzującym się wieloczynnikową i nie do końca poznaną etiologią. Jego objawy stwierdza się także u istotnego odsetka chorych na cukrzycę. Na obraz kliniczny ZPN składa się wiele symptomów, które znacząco pogarszają komfort życia chorego (tj. parcia naglące, częstomocz, nocturia, nietrzymanie moczu z parcia). Podstawę diagnostyki stanowi ukierunkowany powyższe objawy wywiad podmiotowy, a warunkiem rozpoznania tak zwanego idiopatycznego zespołu pęcherza nadreaktywnego jest wykluczenie innych czynników (anatomicznych, czynnościowych i metabolicznych), które mogą powodować podobne objawy kliniczne. U podłoża patogenetycznego ZPN leżą: nieprawidłowa budowa i funkcja nabłonka wyścielającego drogi moczowe (urotelium), zaburzenia unerwienia pęcherza moczowego i zaburzenia czynności mięśnia wypieracza pęcherza moczowego. Czynnikami wpływającymi na rozwój ZPN u chorych na cukrzycę są: hiperglikemia i stymulowana nią poliuria, a także późne powikłania cukrzycy pod postacią mikroangiopatii i polineuropatii. Sposób terapii ZPN u chorych z cukrzycą nie odbiega od schematów przyjętych dla populacji ogólnej, choć podkreśla się rolę optymalizacji leczenia hipoglikemizującego. Niestety nawet długotrwałe stosowanie wielokierunkowej terapii (niefarmakologicznej, farmakologicznej czy zabiegowej) nie zapewnia pełnego wyleczenia ZPN, a jej efekt często sprowadza się jedynie do zmniejszenia nasilenia objawów klinicznych

Przydatność badań ultrasonograficznych w rozpoznawaniu i w ocenie odległych wyników leczenia operacyjnego zwężenia podmiedniczkowego moczowodu u noworodków

Background: Pyeloureteral stricture in neonates requires early diagnosis and treatment for the reason that leads to infections, formation of concrements and destruction of renal parenchyma. Aim: Evaluation of usefulness of ultrasound examinations in diagnosis of neonatal pyeloureteral stricture and their value in postoperative follow-up. Material/Methods: The study comprised of 54 newborns (33 boys and 29 girls) with pyloureteral stricture diagnosed by ultrasound, including 52 (96%) of unilateral (27 left and 25 right sided) and 2 cases of bilateral stricture. In 15 (28%) neonates high-grade pelvic dilatation was found. Results: Operative treatment with use of Anderson-Hynes method was applied in 6(11%) of children in first month of life, in 21 (39%) of children between 2 and 6 month of life and in 27(50%) in second half of first year of life. Long-term follow-up was performed in 46 children of mean age 7,8 years using abdominal ultrasound. The very good result of surgical intervention was noted in 50% of children, good effect in 43,5% and poor outcome in 3 children: 1 with large pelvic dilatation and two cases with lack of renal function confirmed by scintigraphy. Conclusions: Abdominal ultrasound in neonates allow not only to make early diagnosis of pyeloureteral stricture but also provide quick and proper qualification to operative treatment. Abdominal ultrasound, among other ways of imaging, as a safe and useful, should be method of choice in follow-up after operative treatment of pyeloureteral stricture in children. Follow-up using abdominal ultrasound in children after Anderson-Hynes operation confirm beneficial effects of such treatment on reconstruction of dynamics of upper urinary tract, prevention of deformation of pyelocaliceal system and damage of renal parenchyma

Chalcones and Dihydrochalcones Augment TRAIL-Mediated Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells

Chalcones and dihydrochalcones exhibit chemopreventive and antitumor activity. TRAIL (tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand) is a natural endogenous anticancer agent. We examined the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of chalcones and dihydrochalcones on TRAIL-mediated apoptosis in LNCaP prostate cancer cells. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis was detected using annexin V-FITC by flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy. The ΔΨm was evaluated using DePsipher staining by fluorescence microscopy. Our study showed that two tested chalcones (chalcone and 2’,6’dihydroxy-4’-methoxychalcone) and three dihydrochalcones (2’,6’-dihydroxy-4’4-dimethoxydihydrochalcone, 2’,6’-dihydroxy-4’-methoxydihydro- chalcone,  and 2’,4’,6’-trihydroxydihydrochalcone, called phloretin) markedly augmented TRAIL-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity in LNCaP cells and confirmed the significant role of chalcones in chemoprevention of prostate cancer

Chalcones Enhance TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Prostate Cancer Cells

Chalcones exhibit chemopreventive and antitumor effects. Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a naturally occurring anticancer agent that induces apoptosis in cancer cells and is not toxic to normal cells. We examined the cytotoxic and apoptotic effect of five chalcones in combination with TRAIL on prostate cancer cells. The cytotoxicity was evaluated by the MTT and LDH assays. The apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC. Our study showed that all five tested chalcones: chalcone, licochalcone-A, isobavachalcone, xanthohumol, butein markedly augmented TRAIL-mediated apoptosis and cytotoxicity in prostate cancer cells and confirmed the significant role of chalcones in chemoprevention of prostate cancer

Prognostic value of radical cystoprostatectomy in men with bladder cancer infiltrating prostate versus co-existing prostate cancer: a research study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The aim of the following study is to evaluate the advancement of incidentally diagnosed prostate cancer in specimen after cystoprostatectomies caused by muscle-invasive bladder cancer. Secondly we assessed the survival in patients after radical cystoprostatectomy whose postoperative specimen was characterized by the presence of co-existing prostate cancer or prostate infiltration by urothelial bladder cancer.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Between 1993 and 2009 a total of 320 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer underwent cystoprostatectomy. The first analyzed group consisted of 52 patients with bladder cancer infiltrating prostate, while the second group consisted of 21 patients with co-existing prostate cancer. In all patients cancer specific survival and progression were analyzed. Average follow up was 75.2 months (range: 0 - 181).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Cancer-specific survival was significantly shorter in group I (p = 0.03). Neoplastic progression in patients from group I was observed in 42.2% of patients, while in patients from group II in 23.6% of patients (p = 0.04). No statistical difference was observed in the percentage of positive lymph nodes between the groups (p = 0.22). The median Gleason score in patients with co-existing prostate cancer was equal to 5. The stage of prostate cancer pT₂/pT₃was equal to 20 (96%)/1 (4%) patients. 12 (57%) prostate cancers were clinically insignificant. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 2 (9%) patients.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p indent="1">1. Incidentally diagnosed prostate cancer in specimen after cystoprostatectomies is frequently clinically insignificant and characterized by low progression.</p> <p indent="1">2. Patients with bladder cancer infiltrating prostate are characterized by higher percentage of progression and death in comparison with patients with co-existing prostate cancer.</p