title: The distribution of sensory fibers immunoreactive for the TRPV1 (capsaicin) receptor in the human prostate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the distribution of sensory fibers immunoreactive to the pain receptor TRPV1 in the human prostate.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eight prostates were harvested from cadaver transplant donors and immediately immersion fixed. Longitudinal and transverse 20 microm sections were cut on a cryostat and immunoreacted with two anti-human TPRV1 antibodies.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TRPV1-immunoreactive nerve fibers were distributed throughout the prostatic urethral mucosa, verumontanum, ejaculatory ducts and periurethral prostatic acini. In the urethral mucosa, TRPV1-immunoreactive fibers penetrated the epithelial layer up to its surface. In the transitional and peripheral zones of the gland no TRPV1-immunoreactive nerve fibers were detected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The existence of a rich TRPV1 sensory innervation in the human prostate may open new therapeutic perspectives for the treatment of pain in patients with chronic prostatitis (Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome).
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Hospital S. João, Alameda Hernâni Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dinis
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Charrua
authors.forename: António
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Avelino
authors.forename: Istvan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Quintas
authors.forename: Ulisses
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ribau
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Cruz
mesh_terms: D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology*; D002102:Cadaver; D002211:Capsaicin / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology / Q000294:innervation*; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D002211:Capsaicin