The effect of electrocautery on neurotransmitter receptor binding assays in the canine prostate

The purpose of this study was to determine whether resection of the prostate with electrocautery alters the binding properties of various neurotransmitter ligands. Prostate glands were removed from four adult male dogs. The prostates were divided in the midsaggital plane and one half of the prostate was resected using a resectoscope. Saturation experiments were performed on the resected and control prostatic tissue using 3H-NMS, 125I-Heat, and 3H-rauwolscine. The mean equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) and the mean densities of 3H-NMS, 125I-Heat, and 3H-Rauwolscine binding sites were similar in tissue homogenates obtained from control and resected portions of the prostate (p greater than 0.05). Resection of the prostate using electrocautery did not alter the binding properties of various neurotransmitter ligands for characterizing and quantifying muscarinic cholinergic, alpha 1 adrenergic, and alpha 2 adrenergic binding sites in the canine prostate. Approximately 90% of prostatectomies for symptomatic BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) are performed transurethrally. The ability to accurately measure neurotransmitter receptor densities in prostate tissues obtained following transurethral resection is imperative for our future studies designed to elucidate the role of alpha adrenergic receptors in the development of bladder outlet obstruction in men with BPH.