The Use of a Combination of Vaccinium Macracarpon, Lycium barbarum L. and Probiotics (Bifiprost®) for the Prevention of Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: A Double-Blind Randomized Study

Abstract

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> To evaluate the efficacy of Bifiprost® + Serenoa Repens 320 mg versus Serenoa Repens 320 mg alone for the prevention of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) due to enterobacteriaceae. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Between September 2016 and September 2018, 120 patients with CBP at the National Institutes of Health (NIH type II) with recurrent infections due to enterobacteriaceae (<i>Escherichia Coli</i> and <i>Enterococcus faecalis</i>) were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups each to receive Bifiprost® + Serenoa Repens 320 mg (Group A) or Serenoa Repens 320 mg alone (Group B) daily for 24 weeks (after receiving a proper antibiotic treatment with subsequent culture negativization). The primary endpoint was the reduction in the episodes of prostatitis. The secondary endpoint evaluated was the score of the NIH-Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI). Evaluation was performed at baseline and at 12, 24, and 36 weeks. <b><i>Results:</i></b> The patients of the Group A experienced a significantly larger reduction in the prostatitis episodes than the Group B at 24 and 36 weeks, but they did not experience a significantly larger reduction at 12 weeks. After 12 weeks of treatment, the mean NIH-CPSI score was reduced in both groups compared with baselines, but no significant differences were seen between the Group A and Group B. On the contrary, we observed a significant difference in the mean NIH-CPSI score between the 2 groups at 24 and 36 weeks. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> The association of Bifiprost® and Serenoa Repens 320 mg improves the prevention of the episodes of CBP due to enterobacteriaceae and ameliorates prostatitis-related symptoms after 6 months of therapy. The long-term impact on the entero-urinary route was also seen 3 months after the end of the treatment.

The use of Lactobacillus casei DG® prevents symptomatic episodes and reduces the antibiotic use in patients affected by chronic bacterial prostatitis: Results from a phase IV study

“…Unlike Vicari's study, in our study, we enrolled patients without any intestinal disease and we treated them with probiotics only. On the other hand, another Italian group, demonstrated that a 6 months treatment with probiotics plus Vaccinium Macracarpon and Lyciumbarbarum L., reduces the number of symptomatic episodes and improves the quality of life [21]. The efficacy of probiotics in the management of CBP could be related to the immune modulation of the bowel epithelium with the suppression of the low-grade inflammation [8,22] and with the decrease of uropathogens spreading through the bowel mucosa.…”

The Therapeutic Potential of Saw Palmetto Extract in Urological Disorders

“…A double-blind randomized study by Chiancone et al , involving 120 patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis, found that the association of Bifiprost® and SPE 320 mg improved the prevention of the episodes of chronic bacterial prostatitis due to Enterobacteriaceae and ameliorated prostatitis-related symptoms after 6 months of therapy. 54 The long-term impact on the entero-urinary route was also seen 3 months after the end of the treatment.…”

Microorganisms in the reproductive system and probiotic's regulatory effects on reproductive health

“…Several in vitro experiments have shown that treatment of human prostate cancer cells with certain probiotic strains ( L. rhamnosus GG, L. acidophilus La-05, L. casei- 01, and Bifidobacterium animalis Bb-12) strongly induced apoptosis [42] , [43] , indicating the potential of probiotics to suppress prostate cancer. Furthermore, probiotics have been demonstrated to improve prevention of episodes and alleviate symptoms in chronic bacterial prostatitis caused by Enterobacteriaceae [44] . In addition, decreased bacterial load of E. coli and Enterococcus faecalis in urine cultures was observed after probiotic administration in prostatitis [45] .…”