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Current Urology Reports
Published in: Current Urology Reports 12/2014

01-12-2014 | Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (K McVary, Section Editor)

The Role of Inflammation in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Its Potential Impact on Medical Therapy

Authors: Vincenzo Ficarra, Marta Rossanese, Michele Zazzara, Gianluca Giannarini, Maria Abbinante, Riccardo Bartoletti, Vincenzo Mirone, Francesco Scaglione

Published in: Current Urology Reports | Issue 12/2014

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Abstract

A chronic prostatic inflammation seems to play a crucial role in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) pathogenesis and progression. Therefore, inflammation could represent a new potential target for medical therapy of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to BPH (LUTS/BPH). This review article analyzes the evidence supporting the role of inflammation in the onset and progression of BPH, and it assesses the potential impact of previous mechanisms on medical therapy of LUTS/BPH. Literature data support the role of inflammation as a relevant factor in the pathogenesis of BPH. Indeed, several data favour the role of infiltrating lymphocytes in the development and progression of prostate adenoma as an effect of a self-maintaining remodeling process. Although available drugs commonly used in the treatment of LUTS/BPH do not exhibit an anti-inflammatory activity, it seems to be obvious considering the inflammation as a new target in the treatment of LUTS/BPH. Drugs currently investigated for the treatment of prostatic inflammation include the hexanic lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and vitamin D receptor agonists.
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Metadata
Title
The Role of Inflammation in Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) due to Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Its Potential Impact on Medical Therapy
Authors
Vincenzo Ficarra
Marta Rossanese
Michele Zazzara
Gianluca Giannarini
Maria Abbinante
Riccardo Bartoletti
Vincenzo Mirone
Francesco Scaglione
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Urology Reports / Issue 12/2014
Print ISSN: 1527-2737
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11934-014-0463-9

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