Clinical perspective on apoptosis in the management of the BPH patient.
BACKGROUND
Traditionally, alpha(1)-adrenoceptor (AR) antagonists have been assumed to produce clinical benefit by an exclusive action on the tone of the periurethral stromal smooth muscle. However, recent evidence has emerged of additional intra- and extraprostatic actions.


METHODS
This article attempts to put into clinical context the recently described effects of certain alpha(1)-AR on prostate cell dynamics (i.e., proliferation and apoptosis). RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS There is good evidence that certain alpha(1)-AR antagonists, in addition to affecting stromal smooth muscle, have effects on prostatic apoptosis that contribute to the overall clinical profile. Furthermore, this is not a class effect and may be restricted to balanced quinazoline alpha blockers (BQABs), such as terazosin.
Fitzpatrick
J
J
Department of Surgery, Mater Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. profsurg@iol.ie
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017209:Apoptosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011224:Prazosin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D058668:Adrenergic alpha-1 Receptor Antagonists; D000317:Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists; C041226:Terazosin; D011224:Prazosin