The effect of the hexanic lipidosterolic extract of Serenoa repens on the bladder function in partial bladder outlet obstruction.

Introduction. It is believed that the «target» of the hexane extract of Serenoa repens (HESR) is the prostate gland itself. However, there is evidence in the literature that the therapeutic effect of HESR can be carried out at the level of the bladder. We hypothesized about the direct effect of HESR on the obstructive bladder, preventing the development of its dysfunction. Material and methods. The study was conducted on 30 white mongrel female rats. Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) was modeled by applying a ligature to the urethra on 18G catheter. The animals were divided into groups: experimental – HESR (n = 10); sham/placebo (n = 15) and control (n = 5). From the day following the operation, rats of the experimental series daily received aqueous alcohol suspension of HESR (27.6 mg/kg) intragastrically through a probe, and the sham group received the same volume of 3.5% alcohol solution. After 2 weeks, the survival rate of the animals, the functional state of the bladder, daily diuresis, biochemical changes in blood and urine characterizing the functional state of the kidneys were evaluated. Bladder function was assessed according to infusion cystometry. After examination, the a