0000000000021570
AUTHOR
Debra A. Schwinn
Changes in the receptor profile of the lower urinary tract in the aging male
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of th e most common effects of aging in men. Epidemiologists estimate that about one quarter of all men over 50 years of age suffer from BPH-derived voiding symptoms. Future demographic developments, with higher relative shares of older people, will increase the socioeconomic impact of this disease. Polder et al. (1994) calculated for the Netherlands that the treatment costs of BPH will double by 2035. Office visits for BPH related symptoms increased in the USA from 1.4 million in 1990 to 6 million in 1995, reflecting the increased public awareness of the problem and the increased desire for treatment (Kaplan et al. 1996).
MODULATION OF BLADDER α1-ADRENERGIC RECEPTOR SUBTYPE EXPRESSION BY BLADDER OUTLET OBSTRUCTION
Purpose: α1-Adrenergic receptor (α1AR) antagonists are effective for relieving obstructive and irritative symptoms in patients with bladder outlet obstruction. While the α1aAR is responsible for prostate smooth muscle relaxation and outlet obstruction relief, to our knowledge the mechanisms underlying the relief of irritative symptoms remain to be determined. Therefore, we investigated mechanisms by which bladder α1AR subtypes may be involved in this process.Materials and Methods: We studied 42 rats, including 6 unoperated controls, 17 sham operated controls and 19 obstructed animals. Animals were characterized for baseline voiding pattern, followed by surgical intervention or sham surgery …