Docetaxel inhibits urethral stricture formation, an initial study in rabbit model.
BACKGROUND
Urethral stricture, a frequent source of lower urinary tract disorders in men, is still a difficult problem for urologists. Based the anti-restenosis effect of paclitaxel on coronary artery, the role of docetaxel, a semi-synthetic analogue of paclitaxel, in limiting urethral stricture formation was studied.


METHODS
Forty adult New Zealand male rabbits were involved in this study, which were randomly assigned into 3 groups, namely a high dose docetaxel (DH, 0.1 mg/d), a low dose docetaxel (DL, 0.01 mg/d) and a control (C) group, with 16, 16, 8 rabbits in each group, respectively. All animals underwent a 10 mm-long circumferential electrocoagulation of the bulbar urethra with a 13Fr pediatric resectoscope. Drugs were given by urethral irrigation daily and continuous for 28 days. Stricture formation was assessed by retrograde urethrography and videourethroscopy. Urethra pathology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining and Sirius red staining.


RESULTS
At the end of this study, 15, 14 and 7 rabbits remained for evaluation in DH, DL and C group, respectively. Urethral diameters in DH, DL and C group were (7.17±1.63) mm, (6.55±0.62) mm, (3.23±1.36) mm, with a normal urethral diameter of (9.08±1.29) mm. Lumen reduction in DH, DL and C group were (36.93±11.58)%, (48.03±7.89)% and (84.66±14.95)%, respectively. Statistically difference could be found between every two groups (p<0.05) both in urethral diameters and in lumen reduction, except for compare of urethral diameters between DH and DL group. Histological examination confirmed mass fibrous tissue and collagen content at the stricture sit in C group, whereas less in docetaxel treated rabbits.


CONCLUSIONS
Docetaxel could limit urethral stricture formation, which may be due to inhibition of fibrous tissue and collagen expression. Docetaxel may become a new choice in the prevention of urethral stricture formation.
Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
Delai
D
Fu
Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
Tie
T
Chong
Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
Hecheng
H
Li
Department of Urology, the Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi Traditional Chinese Medical Collage, Xianyang, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
Huibo
H
Zhang
Department of Urology, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China.
Ziming
Z
Wang
D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D000077143:Docetaxel; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011817:Rabbits; D043823:Taxoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D014525:Urethral Stricture / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000517:prevention & control
D043823:Taxoids; D000077143:Docetaxel; D003094:Collagen