Objective: To explore the possible pathogenesis of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CNP) in rats from the perspective of mitochondria, and the interventional effect of Jiedu Huoxue Decoction (JHD) on CNP.
Methods: Forty clean-grade SD male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups of an equal number, sham control, CNP model control, Qianliekang Tablets intervention (QLK) and JHD intervention, those in the former two groups treated intragastrically with normal saline, and those in the latter two with QLK and JHD, respectively, at 2g/kg qd for 30 successive days. Then serum and prostate tissue samples were collected from the rats for calculation of the organ coefficients, HE staining, extraction of mitochondria in the prostate tissue, measurement of the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and Na+-K+-ATPase by colorimetric assay, and observation of the ultrastructural changes of the prostatic epithelial cells under the transmission electron microscope (TEM).
Results: The organ coefficient of the prostate was significantly higher in the CNP model controls (［1.95 ± 0.39］%) than in the sham control (［1.50 ± 0.42］%, P < 0.05), QLK (［1.54 ± 0.32］%, P < 0.05) and JHD groups (［1.47 ± 0.53］%, P < 0.05). TEM showed significant hyperplasia of the interstitial fibrous tissue, glandular structural disorder and inflammatory cell immersion in the CNP model controls, decreased inflammatory cells and reduced hyperplasia of epithelial cells in the acinar and interstitial fibrous tissues in the QLK and JHD groups, but no significant changes in the sham controls. The CNP model controls, compared with the QLK and JHD groups, exhibited remarkably lower levels of SOD (［17.42 ± 2.91］ vs ［23.47 ± 5.79］ and ［22.52 ± 3.88］ U/mg prot, P < 0.05), GSH-PX (［38.35 ± 6.98］ vs ［47.68 ± 10.37］ and ［89.95 ± 7.65］ U/mg prot, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and Na+-K+-ATPase in the prostatic mitochondria (［0.98 ± 0.40］ vs ［1.37 ± 0.29］ and ［1.85 ± 0.32］ μmol Pi/mg prot/h, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but a higher level of MDA (［1.70 ± 0.22］ vs ［0.54 ± 0.14］ and ［0.59 ± 0.17］ nmol/mg prot, P < 0.01). Significant mitochondrial damage was observed in the prostate tissue of the CNP model controls, and markedly enhanced mitochondrial autophagy was seen in the JHD group.
Conclusions: Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis induces mitochondrial dysfunction in the prostate of rats, and Jiedu Huoxue Decoction can promote the recovery of mitochondrial function, which may be related to mitochondrial autophagy.
Keywords: Jiedu Huoxue Decoction; mitochondrial damage; mitophagy; oxidative stress; rat; chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.