Clinical and Biochemical Influence of Prostatic Stones

Abstract

Introduction: The study aimed to explore clinical influence of prostatic stones on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), seminal plasma cytokines, and serum biomarkers. Materials and Methods: A total of 70 men aged ≤50 years with LUTS divided into 2 groups: group with stones (GSt) and group without prostatic stones (GNoSt). All subjects completed the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire and National Institutes of Health Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) scoring questionnaire. Pre- and post-prostate massage test and uroflowmetry were performed. The serum concentration of total prostate specific antigen (PSA), free PSA, and free/total PSA (f/t PSA) ratio, seminal concentration of cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p70, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were measured. Results: GSt subjects had significantly more severe symptoms based on IPSS answers (p = 0.0289). All domains in NIH-CPSI scores were significantly higher in the GSt group: pain (p = 0.001), urinary symptoms (p = 0.023), quality of life (p = 0.008), and with overall (p = 0.003). GSt subjects also had significantly lower maximum urinary flow (Qmax; p = 0.011), lower f/t PSA ratio (p = 0.048), and higher concentration of IL-1β (p = 0.011) and IL-8 (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Prostatic stones may influence the severity of LUTS and the symptoms of chronic prostatitis. They might reduce Qmax rate and lead to reduction of the f/t PSA ratio and produce more severe inflammation causing increased seminal concentration of IL-1β and IL-8.

Clinical Evaluation of Urine Prostatic Exosomal Protein in the Diagnosis of Chronic Prostatitis

“…Wei et al [21] reported that the levels of B7-H3 were significantly lower in EPS from men with CPPS compared to controls. However, the clinical application of these biomarkers is limited in the case of EPS collecting failure, which may be attributed to the prostatic ducts obstruction caused by stricture, intraprostatic calcification or even prostatic stones, as patients with prostatic stones have more severe symptoms [22]. From our perspective, PSEP can potentially be widely applied in clinical evaluations.…”

Inflammatory mechanisms and oxidative stress in prostatitis: the possible role of antioxidant therapy

“…As chronic prostatitis progresses, fibrotic and calcified areas are inevitably formed, which cause dysuria and reinfections. 60 – 62 …”

“… 11 , 58 As in other chronic inflammatory diseases, tissue damage in chronic prostatitis essentially results in fibrosis and calcifications that cause lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), (at times obstructive) dysuria symptoms, and frequently recurring infections. 59 – 62 Moreover, the presence of bacteria within prostatic calcifications has been reported; therefore, calcifications represent a permanent receptacle for bacteria and cause bacterial persistence. 63 …”

Computer-Assisted Quantitative Assessment of Prostatic Calcifications in Patients with Chronic Prostatitis

“…Furthermore, men aged ≤50 years with low urinary tract symptoms and prostatic stones had significantly more severe symptoms than those without stones in association with increased seminal concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 [2]. …”