Autonomic Nervous System Dysfunction Is Related to Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome

Abstract

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a common and non-lethal urological condition with painful symptoms. The complexity of CP/CPPS’s pathogenesis and lack of efficient etiological diagnosis results in incomplete treatment and recurrent episodes, causing long-term mental and psychological suffering in patients. Recent findings indicate that the autonomic nervous system involves in CP/CPPS, including sensory, sympathetic, parasympathetic, and central nervous systems. Neuro-inflammation and sensitization of sensory nerves lead to persistent inflammation and pain. Sympathetic and parasympathetic alterations affect the cardiovascular and reproductive systems and the development of prostatitis. Central sensitization lowers pain thresholds and increases pelvic pain perception in chronic prostatitis. Therefore, this review summarized the detailed processes and mechanisms of the critical role of the autonomic nervous system in developing CP/CPPS. Furthermore, it describes the neurologically relevant substances and channels or receptors involved in this process, which provides new perspectives for new therapeutic approaches to CP/CPPS.

Network pharmacology and in vivo experiment-based strategy for investigating the mechanism of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome in QianLieJinDan tablets

“…Pelvic pain and discomfort, along with urinary system symptoms, constitute the primary clinical characteristics of CP/CPPS [ 34 ]. However, due to its intricate pathogenesis and the limited effectiveness of pathogenic diagnosis, the clinical management of CP/CPPS remains unsatisfactory, frequently resulting in recurrent episodes and long-term psychological distress and mental anguish [ 35 , 36 ]. Based on the inherent characteristics of "multicomponent/multitargeted", traditional Chinese medicine has shown unique advantages in improving clinical symptoms such as pain and discomfort in CP/CPPS patients [ [37] , [38] , [39] ].…”

“…release proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF) and chemokines (CXCL8, CXCL10, etc.) and increase the sensitivity of peripheral nerves to pain signals [ 35 , 46 ]. In particular, CXCL8 is expressed in situ in prostate epithelial cells and prostate stromal cells and is the most reliable and predictive surrogate marker for the diagnosis of prostatic inflammatory diseases (such as CP/CPPS) [ 49 ].…”

Molecular mechanism and promising treatments of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: An exploratory bibliometric analysis and literature review of preclinical studies

“…Currently, there is still a lack of efficient and lasting treatment for CP/CPPS. Patients with CP/CPPS often face the stress of a rate of recurrent episodes which might cause long‐term mental and psychological issues [ 2 ] . This clinical dilemma may be attributed to the complex pathogenesis of CP/CPPS and the lack of efficient etiological diagnosis [ 2 ] .…”