Molecular mechanism and promising treatments of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: An exploratory bibliometric analysis and literature review of preclinical studies

Abstract Background As one of the most common diseases in urology, a large number of preclinical studies have been accumulated to explore the etiological mechanism and potential intervention of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Methods In this study, we systematically evaluated the current status of preclinical research on CP/CPPS through bibliometrics analysis using VOSviewer and Citespace. Characteristics of publication such as year, country/region, institution, author, journal, citation, and keywords were analyzed. Based on the bibliometrics analysis results of keywords, we summarized the possible mechanisms and promising treatments for CP/CPPS narratively. Results According to the results of this study, the most common mechanisms involved in CP/CPPS were as follows: Disturbed immune and inflammation mediators, immune cell dysfunction, oxidative stress, dysregulated signaling pathways, apoptosis, gut microbiota, and testosterone metabolism. Traditional Chinese Medicine and extracorporeal shock wave therapy have important potential in the treatment of CP/CPPS. Conclusion Further translational studies targeting the above mechanisms and validating the objective efficacy of potential treatments indicated by preclinical studies in clinical patients are needed in the future.