Objective: The aim of this study was to identify changes in inflammatory molecules in the blood (plasma) of patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic syndrome (CP/CPPS) compared with controls.
Altered levels indicate a systemic component by possible involvement of the prostate and/or the inner pelvic floor musculature.
Material and Methods: In 32 patients with CP/CPPS and 37 controls, blood plasma levels of testosterone, macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), TNF-β, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-1β were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Cortisol in saliva samples was measured in the morning and late evening. All participants answered a questionnaire regarding their health profile.
Results: Significantly higher levels of MIF (p = 0.012) were detected in patients. The testosterone level was, contrary to other studies, little lower in patients (p = 0.014; age adjusted). When controls with health issues and patients with a parallel disease were excluded, the MIF and TNF-α levels were higher in the patients (p = 0.007, p = 0.016, respectively) than in controls, and the testosterone was slightly lower in patients (p = 0.047).
Conclusions: The findings show an immune response extending to the circulatory system, in which MIF makes a significant contribution to CP/CPPS. This study also indicates TNF-α as a circulatory component when excluding subjects with concomitant diseases. Both MIF and TNF-α have previously been highlighted for other diseases related to chronic pain and here also for CP/CPPS. These results provide further insights into the immunological basis of CP/CPPS.
Written by:
Lundh D, Hedelin H, Jonsson K, Gifford M, Larsson D. Are you the author?
Systems Biology Research Center, School of Life Sciences, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden.
Reference: Scand J Urol. 2013 Feb 11. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.3109/21681805.2013.769460
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23394140
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