Effects and Mechanisms of Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound for Chronic Prostatitis and Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Jul 1;17(7):1057. doi: 10.3390/ijms17071057.

Abstract

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is one of the most common urologic diseases, and no curative treatments have been identified. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been successfully used in promoting tissue healing, inhibiting inflammation and pain, differentiating stem cells, and stimulating nerve regeneration/muscle regeneration, as well as enhancing angiogenesis. Very recently, LIPUS has been proven an effective approach for CP/CPPS. This review summarizes the possible mechanisms responsible for the therapeutic effect of LIPUS for CP/CPPS. To search publications relevant to the topics of this review, the search engine for life sciences of Entrez was used. We reviewed the available evidence from 1954 through 2015 concerning LIPUS for CP/CPPS. According to the literature, both transrectal and transperineal approaches of LIPUS are effective for CP/CPPS.

Keywords: chronic pelvic pain syndrome; chronic prostatitis; low-intensity pulsed ultrasound; mechanism; therapeutic effect.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chronic Disease
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neovascularization, Physiologic / radiation effects
  • Pelvic Pain / metabolism
  • Pelvic Pain / pathology
  • Pelvic Pain / therapy*
  • Prostatitis / metabolism
  • Prostatitis / pathology
  • Prostatitis / therapy*
  • Signal Transduction / radiation effects
  • Temperature
  • Ultrasonic Therapy*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / metabolism

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A