Nocturia Potentially Influences Maintenance of Sexual Function in Elderly Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Objective: This study examined the relationship between bothersome symptoms of nocturia and erectile function. Methods: Subjects comprised patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Patients were prospectively followed on treatment with the alpha‐1 blocker naftopidil for 8 weeks. Patient backgrounds and efficacy of naftopidil associated with LUTS and sexual activity were evaluated. Results: The percentage of patients who identified nocturia as the most bothersome symptom was 30.2% (n = 135), representing the highest percentage among International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) items. The number of patients with nocturia as the most bothersome symptom plateaued at an IPSS for nocturia of two or three points. In contrast, the number of patients with slow stream as the most bothersome symptom increased with symptom severity according to IPSS for slow stream. Logistic regression analysis on association between nocturia and erectile function confirmed that the odds ratio was 1.41 (P < 0.05). Naftopidil showed excellent efficacy related to male LUTS, but International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF5) total score was almost unchanged. Among patients with nocturia improved by naftopidil, IIEF5 total score was significantly changed in the group with IPSS nocturia score ≤1 as compared to the group with IPSS nocturia score ≥2 per night (P = 0.038). Conclusion: Nocturia the most bothersome symptom correlated with aging. Nocturia could associate erectile dysfunction, and keeping the frequency of nocturia at ≤1 episode might be meaningful for maintaining quality of life in elderly men.     

Low birth weight babies at 3 years of age

The findings of the first 3 years of a 7-year follow-up study on a group of 331 infants born at or transferred to Hammersmith and Queen Charlotte's Maternity Hospitals weighing 500-2000 g are reported. The group included 37 stillbirths, and a further 76 died. Of the 218 survivors, some information has been available on 215 (99%); 94% and 84% were seen at 2 and 3 years respectively. Nine (4%) children have major and 13 (6%) a moderate handicap, including 11 (5%) with cerebral palsy, seven (4%) with developmental delay, three with severe hearing impairment and one with visual impairment. Mild iatrogenic damage was common. The children, particularly those who were small for their gestational age, were shorter and lighter than the normal population at 3 years, but when corrected for prematurity the difference, particularly in height, was insignificant.     

EFFECTS OF BISARAMIL ON CORONARY-OCCLUSION-REPERFUSION INJURY AND FREE-RADICAL-INDUCED REACTIONS

The aim of this study was to determine whether bisaramil—an antiarrhythmic compound under clinical investigation—influences the reperfusion–induced arrhythmias and biochemical parameters characterizing occlusion-reperfusion-induced free-radical reactions. The left descending coronary artery (LAD) was occluded for 60min in anaesthetized dogs followed by one hour of reperfusion. Blood samples were taken at different times of the occlusion and reperfusion for the determination of plasma concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG); furthermore of the activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Free-radical generating capacity of polymorph neutrophil granulocytes (PMN) was also measured. At the end of the experiments heart tissue samples were excised from the injured areas and from the intact part of the left ventricular muscle. In tissue samples the concentrations of MDA and GSH and the activity of SOD were determined.Bisaramil was given as an i.v. bolus injection at a dose of 2mgkg⁻¹several minutes prior to the end of LAD-occlusion; then the administration was repeated in the 30th minute of reperfusion. In the control group (10 dogs) ventricular fibrillation (VF) occurred in seven cases which resulted in death in three. In the bisaramil-treated group, however, VF was seen in three cases and no death was recorded. Bisaramil inhibited the elevation of the plasma concentration of MDA and GSSG during the reperfusion and abolished the decrease in the plasma concentration of GSH during the occlusion and reperfusion. The activity of SOD and catalase in plasma was much better preserved in the bisaramil-treated group then in the controls.Bisaramil significantly inhibited the increase of the superoxide-radical generating capacity of PMNs during the reperfusion. The data obtained from myocardial tissue samples supported the cardioprotective effect of bisaramil. The biochemical investigation of ischemic-reperfused myocardium showed that bisaramil promoted preservation of SOD-activity and of tissue glutathione.Results of this study clearly showed that bisaramil has a significant effect on ischemia-reperfusion injury. Besides its inhibitory effects on ischaemia-reperfusion induced arrhythmias it has a special benefit in influencing free-radical mediated damage leading to better preservation of membranes and to limitations of irreversible cell injuries.