Lignans and isoflavonoids in plasma and prostatic fluid in men: samples from Portugal, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom.

Background: Chinese men have lower incidences of prostate cancer compared to men from Europe and North America. Asians consume large quantities of soya, a rich source of isoflavanoids phyto-oestrogens and have high plasma and urinary levels of these compounds. The mammalian lignans, enterolactone and enterodiol, are another group of weak plant oestrogens and are derived from seeds, cereals and grains.

Measurement and metabolism of isoflavonoids and lignans in the human male.

Asian men, who consume a low fat/high fibre soya-based diet, have very much lower incidence of prostate cancer than men from North America and Europe. The soya bean is a rich source of the isoflavonic phyto-oestrogens, daidzein, genistein and equol, compounds which may be cancer-protective in Asian populations. The lignans, enterolactone and enterodiol, plant oestrogens derived from cereals and vegetables, may act in a similar manner in vegetarian men.

In vivo laser light distribution in human prostatic carcinoma.

The extent of laser light diffusion within prostatic tumor is of major importance in the treatment of localized prostatic cancer with photodynamic therapy (PDT). The penetration of 633 nm. wavelength red light was studied in eleven patients with suspected prostatic cancer using a novel method suitable for in situ measurements.

Does fish oil benefit stone formers?

The possibility that dietary fish oil supplementation may benefit patients with hypercalciuric urolithiasis by decreasing calcium excretion and enhancing protective mechanisms has been studied in rats and humans. In experiments on rats in metabolic cages, fish oil inhibited experimental nephrocalcinosis induced by intraperitoneal calcium gluconate. There were no significant changes in urinary biochemistry.

Optimization of multifiber light delivery for the photodynamic therapy of localized prostate cancer.

The understanding of light distribution within the target organ is essential in ensuring efficacy and safety in photodynamic therapy (PDT). A computer simulator of light distribution in prostatic tissue was employed for optimizing dosimetry for PDT in localized prostatic cancer. The program was based on empirically determined light distributions and optical constants and an assumed fluence rate differential from fiber source to necrosis periphery.

The uptake of porphyrin and zinc-metalloporphyrin by the primate prostate.

The relative distribution of sensitizer drugs in the prostate and its contiguous organs is of importance in the treatment of localized prostatic cancer with photodynamic therapy. Using the primate model, whose prostate is both morphologically and physiologically homologous with its human counterpart, the distribution of hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) amongst organs of urological interest was determined. Hematoporphyrin derivative levels were comparatively low in both caudal and cranial prostatic lobes (0.

Crystallization kinetics of calcium oxalate in fresh, minimally diluted urine: comparison of recurrent stone formers and healthy controls in a continuous mixed suspension mixed product removal crystallizer.

A reproducible method has been developed for studying calcium oxalate crystallization from fresh, minimally diluted (92%) urine with the mixed suspension mixed product removal continuous crystallization technique. All samples were adjusted to give the same starting calcium and oxalate concentrations. Twenty-one recurrent male stone formers were compared with twenty-two healthy controls.

Do stone formers have lower urinary fibrinolytic activity than controls?

A comparison of urinary fibrinolytic activity between 31 stone formers and 50 controls failed to demonstrate any significant difference and so failed to confirm an earlier independent observation. This may be due to methodological and design differences between the 2 studies, but does suggest reservations about the significance of lowered urinary fibrinolytic activity as a risk factor for renal stone disease. Dietary information from those taking part in the study suggests that a reduction of meat intake by stone formers might be associated with increased urinary fibrinolytic activity.

Calcium oxalate crystallisation kinetics and the effects of calcium and gamma-carboxyglutamic acid.

gamma-carboxyglutamic acid (GLA) is an amino acid with a high affinity for calcium. It is found in urine both as the free amino acid and incorporated into proteins such as osteocalcin. Free and bound GLA have been reported to be found at higher concentrations in the urine of stone formers than controls.

Identification of urinary stone composition by pulsed dye laser.

Stones were recovered from the urinary tract and their composition determined by X-ray diffraction before exposure to a pulsed dye laser beam. The resultant fluorescent emissions were recorded using a scanning reticon and they appeared to be specifically related to the composition of each stone. This technique has a practical application as it may allow identification of the composition of urinary tract stones in vivo, and so indicate the best mode of lithotripsy.

Photodynamic therapy for localised prostatic cancer: light penetration in the human prostate gland.

We are investigating the feasibility of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of localised prostatic cancer. Of major importance in this form of treatment is the extent to which light penetrates the target organ; hence, our interest in the optical properties of the human prostate gland. We obtained three whole prostates from autopsies of patients who died of non-urological causes.

The pharmacokinetics of Casodex in prostate cancer patients after single and during multiple dosing.

The pharmacokinetics of Casodex have been investigated in patients with prostatic carcinoma following single oral doses of 10 mg, 30 mg and 50 mg and during daily administration at these dose levels. Casodex displays prolonged absorption following a single dose, with peak plasma concentrations observed at up to 8 h for doses of 10 mg and 30 mg and up to 48 h for the 50 mg dose. The area under the plasma concentration-time curve increased linearly with dose, and Casodex was eliminated slowly from plasma (t1/2 about 6 days).

The effect of glycosaminoglycans on the crystallisation of calcium oxalate.

The effect of glycosaminoglycans on urinary stone formation was evaluated using a mixed suspension, mixed product removal (MSMPR) crystallisation system together with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to examine the resulting crystals. Chondroitin sulphate was found to decrease the nucleation rate and to promote both the growth rate and suspension density. Results obtained with hyaluronic acid, although inconclusive, are similar to those given by chondroitin sulphate.

Ratio of post-prostatic massage urinary zinc concentration to initial urinary zinc concentration. An improved method of assessing prostatic function.

Various methods have been used clinically to assess prostatic function. We evaluated a number of ways of using zinc in post-prostatic massage urine (VB3) and found that the ratio of VB3 zinc concentration to initial urinary zinc concentration was a good indicator of prostatic secretory activity. This ratio can differentiate hormonally treated patients with carcinoma of the prostate from those untreated and from those with benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The role of magnesium in calcium oxalate urolithiasis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of magnesium on calcium oxalate crystal formation, both in physiological conditions and at slightly higher oxalate concentrations, using a mixed suspension mixed product removal crystallizer and scanning electron microscopy. True supersaturation ratios were calculated by allowing for complexation in solution. Magnesium inhibited the nucleation rate at all oxalate concentrations.

The role of Chlamydia trachomatis in epididymitis.

Microbiological studies have identified an infective micro-organism in 28 of 54 patients (52%) with epididymitis. Chlamydia trachomatis was the commonest infection isolated, occurring in 15 patients. An additional 17 patients (31%) who were culture negative had serological evidence which suggested recent chlamydial infection.

Radiation dose to patient and staff during percutaneous nephrostolithotomy.

The radiation dose to the patient and to members of staff was monitored during 18 procedures for the percutaneous removal of renal stones. It was found that the radiation dose to the patient was minimal and was about the same as for an IVU. The overall dose to the staff was acceptably low and within safety limits.

Incidence of renal stones in 18 British towns. A collaborative study.

The geographical distribution of renal stones in England and Wales was investigated by selecting 18 towns which encompassed a range of social and economic conditions. Case registers of stone patients were maintained in the hospitals for 2 years; they included out-patients and in-patients. The annual registration rate was 22/100,000 population.

Sucrose and idiopathic renal stone.

Idiopathic renal stone comprises more than 80 per cent of kidney stone disease. Whilst the incidence rate in the Western World is high, that in Africa south of the Sahara is very low. Epidemiological studies point to a dietary aetiology as the basis for stone formation in the kidney.

Economic evaluation of six scenarios for the treatment of stones in the kidney and ureter by surgery or extra-corporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

Health policy makers in the U.K. have had to respond to the advent of a new, high technology, method of treating stones.

Testosterone and gonadotrophin profiles in patients on daily or monthly LHRH analogue ICI 118630 (Zoladex) compared with orchiectomy.

Diurnal profiles of circulating gonadotrophins and testosterone have been measured in patients with prostatic carcinoma on long-term treatment with the LHRH agonist analogue ICI 118630, which was administered either by subcutaneous daily injection or monthly injection of the depot preparation. These have been compared with profiles in patients who had undergone orchiectomy. Daily injection of the analogue induced a significant rise in the level of LH but this was not associated with a significant rise in circulating testosterone.