title: Nitric oxide based influence of nitrates on micturition in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nitric oxide (NO) is involved in the physiologic regulation of smooth muscle relaxation in the prostate. Organic nitrates act as NO donors. In this prospective open study we prove the influence of orally given nitrates on micturition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients underwent a urological medical check-up prior to starting nitrate medication for cardiovascular disease. We examined peak flow rates, residual urine, IPS-score, PSA level and prostate volume. Exact inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined. Fifteen patients suffered from obstructive symptoms, 17 patients reported no subjective micturition problems. Urological re-evaluation was performed two weeks and three months after nitrate medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant improvement of peak urinary flow rates (+3.1 ml/s; p<0.05), IPS score and significant decrease of residual urine volume (-22 ml; p<0.05) were found in the symptomatic patients. No significant changes of micturition parameters were found in asymptomatic patients. PSA levels and prostate volumes did not change in either groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Organic nitrates influence micturition parameters in patients with obstructive benign prostatic hyperplasia. This might be explained by the known mechanism of NO donation (smooth muscle relaxation) of nitrates. More functional controlled studies are necessary to describe the grade of influence of nitrates on the prostate. Concomitant oral medication with nitrates must be considered as a relevant bias factor on BPH in future clinical studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Klotz
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Mathers
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Bloch
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Nayal
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Engelmann
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006801:Humans; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014554:Urination / Q000187:drug effects*; D014563:Urodynamics; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D007548:Isosorbide Dinitrate