Introduction and Objectives
Cranberry products are frequently used in the prevention of urinary tract infection. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of cranberry fruit powder in men at risk of prostate disease with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), negative prostate biopsies and clinically confirmed chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
Material and Methods
Forty two participants were randomized to receive either 500 mg of dried powdered cranberries (n = 21, Cranberry group) 3 times daily or no treatment for six months (n = 21, Control group). At baseline both groups had similar clinical and demographic characteristics. They were evaluated using physical examination, the International Prostate Symptom score (IPSS), Quality of Life Score (QoL), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5), basic laboratory parameters, hematology, selenium, testosterone, prostate specific antigen, antioxidant status, transrectal ultrasound prostate volume, urinary flow rate, ultrasound estimated postvoid residual urine volume at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Urine ex vivo antiadherence activity was determined on the last day of study.
Results
In contrast to the Control group, patients in Cranberry group had statistically significant improvement in IPSS, QoL, IIEF-5, urination parameters including voiding parameters: rate of urine flow (Qmax), average flow (Qave), total volume (V) and postvoid residual urine volume (RV), lower PSAtot level on 180 day of the study. There was no influence on blood testosterone levels and no adverse events recorded. No improvement was found in the control group.
Conclusions
The results of this trial are the first firm evidence that cranberries may improve the prostate health of men at risk of prostate disease leading to a number of medical complications including prostate cancer.
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Copyright
© 2009 European Association of Urology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
