title: Mechanism of Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor relief of prostatitis symptoms.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic prostatitis is a common urological complaint without clearly defined causation or definitive treatment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) Inhibitor mediated relaxation of prostatic duct smooth muscle increases washout of prostatic reflux products reducing prostatic inflammation and consequent prostatitis symptoms. RATIONALE OF HYPOTHESIS: The presence of both Nitric Oxide Synthase and Phosphodiesterase 5 in human prostatic tissue and the effect of nitric oxide donors and PDE5 inhibitors in vitro indicate PDE5 inhibitors relax prostatic smooth muscle. Significant retrograde urinary flux into prostatic ducts has been described and suggested as the mechanism of chronic prostatitis. We postulate PDE5 inhibitors alter prostatic reflux hence prostatitis symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PDE5 inhibitors may represent a simple, effective treatment for chronic prostatitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow G31 2ER, United Kingdom. sam_grimsley@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: S J S
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Grimsley
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000276:immunology*; D002243:Carbolines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000276:immunology*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010879:Piperazines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D011472:Prostatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology*; D011687:Purines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000068581:Tadalafil; D014227:Triazines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride
chemical_list: D002243:Carbolines; D007093:Imidazoles; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014227:Triazines; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000069058:Vardenafil Dihydrochloride; D000068581:Tadalafil; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; C517381:PDE5A protein, human