Evidences of the inflammasome pathway in chronic prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome in an animal model

BACKGROUND The mechanism of non-bacterial chronic prostatitis (CP/CPPS) has long been investigated but remains unclear. Under the hypothesis that abnormal response of innate immunity may be a cause of CP/CPPS, this study evaluated inflammasome, as part of innate immunity, and its effects on persist inflammation and CP/CPPS. METHODS Carrageenan was used to induce CP/CPPS in a rat animal model. After confirming tactile hyper-algesia in the rats, their local prostate inflammation status, and inflammasome expression were determined. The amount of inflammasome and its downstream protein was checked, along with prostate localization. Chlorogenic acid (CHA), an active ingredient of Chinese herbal remedy for CP/CPPS treatment, was used as treatment. RESULTS The rats had CP/CPPS once scrotal static tactile allodynia developed and CHA treatment relieved the scrotal hypersensitivity. Downstream inflammasome proteins like IL-1 beta and caspase 1 increased within the prostate and decreased with CHA treatment. Inflammasome, NALP1 but not NALP3, was significantly increased in the prostate glandular endothelial cells. Treatment with CHA also changed the distribution pattern of NALP1 in the prostate. CONCLUSIONS There is a close relationship between activation of inflammasome and patho-physiologic changes of CP/CPSS in rats. Increased inflammasome may be a possible mechanism of CP/CPPS and clinically active regimen may inhibit the inflammasome-related pathway. This provides a new therapeutic rationale and approach for CP/CPPS treatment. Prostate 73: 391397, 2013. (c) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.