Basic Research - Neurourology & LUTS/BPH & Others(구연) (E-035) Reduction Effect of Electric Stimulation in Combination with Hyperthermia on NLRP3 Inflammasome in the Treatment of Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome 가톨릭대학교 서울성모병원 권혁재, 신동호, 성재우, 허경재, 문형우, 박용현, 조혁진, 하유신, 홍성후, 이지열, 김세웅, 배웅진 Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of electric stimulation in combination with hyperthermia (ESCH) in the treatment of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and explore the mechanism. Materials & Methods: 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n=48) were randomly divided into 4 groups: 1 control group (normal control, CG), 2 prostatitis group (PG), 3 prostatitis treated by electric stimulation group (ESG), and 4 prostatitis treated by electric stimulation in combination with hyperthermia group (ESHG, 12 rats for each group). Prostatitis were induced by 17 beta-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone. 4 weeks after ES or ESCH, pain index was assessed by Von Frey monofilaments and automated dynamic plantar aesthesiometer, and prostates were collected for immunohistochemistry, western blot and ELISA. Results: We found that pain index was definitely ameliorated by ESCH in prostatitis rats compared to PG and ESG (P<0.01). ESCH improved inflammation and edema in prostatitis tissue. The expression of NLPR3 inflammasome was distinctly lower in ESHG than in PG and ESG (P<0.05). Apoptosis and oxidative stress injury were increased in prostatitis, but reduced by ESCH (P<0.01). VEGF expression was stimulated by ESCH and contributed to HIF1-NFκB pathway in ESHG (P<0.01). BAX/BAK pathway was inhibited in ESHG in comparison with PG and ESG (P<0.01). Conclusion: ESCH ameliorated pain by down-regulating NLRP3 inflammasome and improved apoptosis via inhibiting BAX/BAK pathway in prostatitis rats. Our results provided the basic basis of ESCH for CP/CPPS which might be a novel and promising non-invasive approach. keywords : electric stimulation in combination with hyperthermia, CP/CPPS