title: α-Adrenoceptors and benign prostatic hyperplasia: basic principles for treatment with α-adrenoceptor antagonists.
abstract: The selective blockade of α1-adrenoceptors (ARs) is now a well-accepted and widely used treatment for patients presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and bladder outlet obstruction. The sites of action of the currently used α1-AR antagonists when relieving LUTS have not yet been established, but it seems clear that effects on prostatic as well as non-prostatic tissues are important. α1-ARs in the bladder, urethra, and vas deferens, on ganglia and nerve terminals, and in the central nervous system (CNS) may all influence LUTS and the clinical effects of α1-AR antagonists. The relevance of α1-AR subtype selectivity for the clinical usefulness of existing drug therapy has still not been clarified, but it cannot be dismissed that blockading both α1A- and α1D-ARs is necessary for optimal clinical effect. Despite the above uncertainties, there seems to be a consensus that clinically available α1-AR antagonists provide a safe, effective and generally well-tolerated therapy for patients with LUTS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Lund University Hospital, 22185 Lund, Sweden, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karl-Erik
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Andersson
keywords: α-adrenoceptor subtypes Prostate Lower urinary tract Vas deferens Central nervous system