Objectives: In order to identify a specific prostatic inflammation marker we have assayed IL-6 and IL-8 cytokines levels in the genital secretions of men suffering from chronic prostatitis symptoms.
Materials and methods: 207 patients underwent the following tests IL-6 and IL-8 were assayed in the genital secretions (seminal plasma:n.101-and- expressed prostatic secretion (EPS):n.106) by flow-cytometry; Meares-Stamey's test + leukocyte count in the EPS (microscopy-HPF/x1,000), semen analysis (WHO criteria), NIH/CPSI questionnaire. The control group was composed of 62 men with normal ejaculates (WHO criteria) and without symptoms or obstruction. We referred to Prostatitis classification-NIH, 1995. We considered as affected by prostatic inflammations those patients with high levels of IL-6 and/or IL-8 concentration in genital secretion. Statistical analysis was performed using: linear regression tests, Student's T-test, Chi-square and McNemar's test.
Results: High levels of IL-6 and/or IL-8 were found in 177/207 cases (85.5%) and the leukocyte count had a positive result only in 85/177 cases (48%). There was a statistically significant difference between cytokine levels measured on 207 cases with chronic prostatitis and citokine levels measured on the control group (P<0.001). There was a correlation between cytokines values and Symptoms Score (CPSI).
Conclusion: IL-6 and IL-8 levels are frequently elevated in genital secretions of patients with prostatic inflammation and may prove to be excellent markers to identify and manage chronic prostatitis.