Urology Research

Clinical Significance of Sonic Hedgehog in Renal Interstitial Fibrosis of Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

2026-07-07T13:23:30+08:00

Background: Sonic hedgehog (SHH) has been found to be involved in chronic kidney disease (CKD) development. Aims: This study aims to explore the clinical significance of SHH in renal interstitial fibrosis (RIF) of CKD patients. Methods: SHH serum levels were determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Expressions of SHH, TGF-β and CTGF in kidney biopsy specimens of CKD patients were measured by immunohistochemistry staining. Results: Serum levels of SHH were significantly higher in stage 3–4 and stage 5 of CKD patients than that in healthy controls. SHH levels were positively correlated with Scr, BUN and UA levels; negatively correlated with HGB and eGFR in CKD patients. SHH was the risk factor for DKD. In addition, The expression of SHH was significantly increased in stage 3–4 patients compared to stage 1–2 patients, and increased in severe interstitial fibrosis group than that in the mild interstitial fibrosis group. SHH expression was positively correlated with renal interstitial fibrosis score and profibrotic factors (TGF-β and CTGF) in CKD patients. Conclusions: SHH might serve as a potential biomarker for CKD and mediate the pathogenesis of RIF in CKD patients.

Research Progress on the Mechanism of LncRNA GAS5 in Regulating the Radiosensitivity of Prostate Cancer

2026-07-07T13:32:53+08:00

Prostate cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor in the male urogenital system. Radiotherapy, which uses high-energy radiation to kill cancer cells, serves as a cornerstone for local advanced and postoperative adjuvant treatment, yet tumor radioresistance, when cancer cells survive and adapt to radiation, significantly limits therapeutic efficacy. Long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) GAS5, a critical tumor-suppressive transcript, is commonly under expressed in prostate cancer and positively regulates radiosensitivity (the tendency of cells to be destroyed by radiation) through multiple mechanisms, including competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA, a process where RNAs regulate each other’s expression by competing for shared microRNAs) regulation, DNA damage repair, cell cycle arrest, induction of apoptosis (programmed cell death), and interactions with signaling pathways. This review systematically summarizes the structural and functional characteristics of GAS5, its expression patterns in prostate cancer, and elucidates the molecular mechanisms underlying its regulation of radiosensitivity. Additionally, it explores clinical application prospects and existing challenges, providing theoretical evidence and novel insights for enhancing precision radiotherapy in prostate cancer.

Ultra-minimally Invasive Prostatic Urethral Dilation for Small-volume Benign Prostatic Obstruction: A Case Report

2026-07-07T14:10:56+08:00

Background: Small-volume benign prostatic obstruction (BPO) represents a distinct clinical phenotype in which lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are often driven by functional and microenvironmental factors rather than anatomical enlargement. Conventional treatment strategies may be less effective in this subgroup. Case presentation: We report the case of a 66-year-old male with severe LUTS and a small prostate volume (20 mL) who showed inadequate response to medical therapy. The patient underwent prostatic urethral dilation (PUD) using an ultra-minimally invasive prostate dilation catheter (Longevity bar). At 3-month follow-up, improvements were observed in symptom score, urinary flow rate, and post-void residual volume, while sexual function was preserved, and no procedure-related complications occurred. Conclusion: PUD may provide a potential treatment option for selected patients with small-volume BPO. Further studies are needed to determine its long-term efficacy and clinical role.