[Effect of sacral roots block in the prostatic structure of the rat]

To validate a simplified model of neural manipulation of the lower urinary tract of the rat, by means of alcoholic blockade of sacral roots.

Twenty Sprague-Dawle rats (aged 3 months) underwent alcohol sacral root blockade under total anesthesia with previous needle placement monitoring (electrostimulation). After 28-30 days, ipsilateral ventral prostatic lobe (VL) was obtained. Macroscopic and light microscopy (LM) studies were performed (computerized image analysis). Results were compared with 20 LV from non manipulated rats.

A slight non significant decrease of LV weight in the blockade group was notice. LM study showed a reduced epithelial height after manipulation. Gland compartment mean proportions were: control group: 28.1% (epithelial), 29.8% (stromal), y 70.2% (glandular -lumen plus epithelium-); study group: 30.5% (not significant), 37.4% y 62.3% (both p < 0.05) respectively. Epithelium area did not suffer any variation. A reduced vascular overall count was noted in the study group. Ipsilateral diffusion of blockade solution was shown in 9 rats (45%), and bilateral in 11 (55%).

Alcoholic sacral root blockade produces an atrophy of the glandular component (due to luminal shrinkage, without epithelial change). No differences were found after the macroscopic study. This study could not reproduce the changes produced after standard surgical denervation, therefore we cannot recommend this method to be used in future models.