The association between local arteriosclerosis of the prostatic arteries and chronic inflammation in human benign prostatic enlargement

BACKGROUND To elucidate the pathogenesis of benign prostatic enlargement (BPE) in humans due to chronic inflammation caused by arteriosclerosis, the relationships between prostate size and the degree of chronic inflammation induced by local arteriosclerosis were investigated. METHODS The present cohort included 50 subjects who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in a prospective study. The presence or absence of local arteriosclerosis in the prostatic arteries removed during RARP was evaluated by microscopic assessment. Chronic inflammation in the prostate was judged according to both the density and the extent of inflammatory cells. The expression of lectin-like oxidized-low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (LOX-1) and the infiltration of macrophages in the prostate, which are high in arteriosclerosis, were investigated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Local arteriosclerosis was observed in 28% (14/50). Prostate size and the inflammation score were significantly increased in the presence of arteriosclerosis (P = 0.006, P