Galactoglucomannan-rich hemicellulose extract from Norway spruce (Picea abies) exerts beneficial effects on chronic prostatic inflammation and lower urinary tract symptoms in vivo.
Galactoglucomannan (GGM) is the main hemicellulose class in wood of coniferous trees and could be potentially utilized as a possible health-promoting substance for food and pharmaceutical industry. Our aim was to evaluate effects of orally administered GGM-rich extract from Norway spruce in a rat model of chronic prostatitis associated with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Prostatic inflammation and LUTS was induced in male rats using testosterone and 17β-estradiol exposure for 18 weeks. Rats were treated with 2% GGM dissolved in drinking water during weeks 13-18. Pelvic pain response, LUT function and histopathological evaluation of the prostate were assessed. The results show that hormonal exposure induced LUTS seen as decreased urine flow rate, increased bladder pressure, voiding times, bladder capacity and residual urine volumes. GGM had positive effects on urodynamical parameters by decreasing the basal bladder pressure, increasing the urine flow rate and volume, reducing the residual volume and increasing micturition intervals. GGM reduced the extent of the hormone exposure-induced prostatic inflammation. Increase of pelvic pain induced by hormone exposure was only slightly affected by GGM treatment. The results suggest that orally administered GGM may have potential usage for improving lower urinary tract function associated with chronic prostatic inflammation.
Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; Pharmatest Services Ltd, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4C, 20520 Turku, Finland. Electronic address: ymkonk@utu.fi.
Yvonne
Y
Konkol
Pharmatest Services Ltd, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4C, 20520 Turku, Finland.
Heikki
H
Vuorikoski
Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland; Pharmatest Services Ltd, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4C, 20520 Turku, Finland.
Johanna
J
Tuomela
Process Chemistry Centre, Laboratory of Wood and Paper Chemistry, Åbo Akademi University, Porthaninkatu 3, 20500 Turku, Finland.
Bjarne
B
Holmbom
Pharmatest Services Ltd, Itäinen Pitkäkatu 4C, 20520 Turku, Finland.
Jenni
J
Bernoulli
D015746:Abdominal Pain / Q000150:complications; D000818:Animals; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D059411:Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000737:chemistry*; D009929:Organ Size / Q000187:drug effects; D028222:Picea / Q000737:chemistry*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011467:Prostate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D008351:Mannans; D011134:Polysaccharides; C443804:galactoglucomannan; C007916:hemicellulose
Galactoglucomannan; Lower urinary tract symptoms; Prostatitis