MicroRNAs are a kind of small non-coding single-stranded RNA molecules that negatively regulate the gene expression by binding to imperfect complementary sites in the 3' untranslated region of targeted mRNAs at the post-transcriptional level. Aberrant expressions of some miRNAs like miR-221/222, miR-146a and miR-125b have been found to be significantly associated with androgen-independent progression of prostate cancer. By analyzing the aberrant expressions and regulation mechanisms of miRNAs in cell lines, tissues and peripheral blood samples, we hope to provide a new theoretic base for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of androgen-independent prostate cancer.
Androgens ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Male ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism

Prostate cancer generally relapses into castration resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) after androgen deprivation therapy, which may be associated with androgen metabolism, particularly de novo androgen synthesis apart from the amplification and mutation of androgen receptor and the activation of its signaling pathways. This article focuses on the advances in the studies of the changes in androgen metabolism and de novo androgen synthesis in CRPC as well as their possible mechanisms and clinical significance.
Androgen Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Androgens ; biosynthesis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms, Castration-Resistant ; metabolism

The etiology and pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia are very complicated, about which a variety of theories have been developed, so it is of utmost importance to decide upon the target of research. Focusing on the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hy-perplasia, the author outlines the candidate targets for the experimental studies of the disease in such approaches as morphology, hormones, growth factors and genes.
Androgens ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; etiology ; genetics ; metabolism

In males, androgen can be aromatized into estrogen by aromatase. Estrogen receptors were shown to be present in male-derived human osteoblasts. For males bone is an important target tissue of estrogen. It was demonstrated that deficiency of estrogen or mutation of estrogen receptor gene in males could lead to osteopenia, even osteoporosis. Estrogens are required for the pubertal growth of bone and play important roles in maintenance of bone mass in males.
Androgens ; metabolism ; Animals ; Aromatase ; metabolism ; Bone and Bones ; metabolism ; Estrogens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Puberty ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism

Androgen receptor(AR) plays an important role in modulating the effects of androgen on target cells. It is well known that AR is mainly existed in testis. This paper reviewed the distribution of AR and its mRNA in prostate, epididymis, skin of penis, and some other tissues in non-genital system and tumors, such as the skin of scalp, hippocampus, fat, gastric cancer, cancer of larynx, and so on. Besides, this paper also reviewed the detection methods to AR, and further investigated the function of androgen.
Androgens ; metabolism ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; metabolism ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism ; Testis ; metabolism ; Tissue Distribution ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Adrenal Glands ; metabolism ; Androgens ; metabolism ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Receptors, Androgen ; metabolism

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital malformations, and its main clinical manifestation is the abnormal opening of the urethra. Etiologically, it can be attributed to many factors, mainly including genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. Recently studies about its genetic etiologies have found a variety of hypospadias-associated genes from the aspects of epidemiology and polymorphism, mainly those involving the formation of the penis, the development of the testis, the anabolism of androgens, and so on. This review focuses on the progress in the studies on the genetic etiology of hypospadias.
Androgens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Hypospadias ; genetics ; Male ; Penis ; embryology ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Testis ; embryology ; Urethra

To investigate the relationship between the endogenous steroid hormones and the lower urinary tract function in postmenopausal women. Thirty postmeopausal volunteer women who did not have lower urinary tract symptoms or hormone replacement therapy were enrolled in this study. Urodynamic studies included uroflowmetry, multi-channel cystometry, and urethral pressure profilometry were conducted. Gas Chromatography- Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) was used to measure the urinary endogenous steroid hormone metabolites. The relationship between the urinary profile of the endogenous steroids and the urodynamic parameters of these patients were investigated. The mean ages of the patients were 60.6 +/- 5.5 years, and the Body Mass Index (BMI) averaged 24.56 +/- 2.23 (kg/m2). Of the progesterone metabolites, pregnandiol was significantly related to the residual volume in the uroflowmetry and the functional urethral length parameters (R=0.98, p=0.000; R= -0.65, p=0.04). Pregnantriol was significantly related to the maximum flow rate, the residual volume in uroflowmetry, the maximum urethral closure pressure and the functional urethral length (R=-0.64, p=0.04; R=0.82, p=0.01; R=0.04, p=0.04; R=- 0.79, p=0.01). In the androgen metabolites, androstenedione, 5-AT, 11- keto Et, 11-betahydroxy Et, THS, and THE were significantly related to the residual volume in uroflowmetry (R=0.92, p=0.001; R=0.84, p=0.008; R=0.99, p=0.000; R=0.72, p=0.03; R=0.97, p=0.000; R=0.85, p=0.00). beta-THF/alpha-THF was significantly related to the maximum flow rate, the residual volume in uroflowmetry, the maximum urethral closure pressure and the functional urethral length (R=-0.76, p=0.02; R=0.67, p=0.04; R=0.74, p=0.02; R=-0.92, p=0.000). alpha-cortol was significantly related to the residual volume in uroflowmetry, the maximum urethral closure pressure and the functional urethral length (R=0.81, p=0.01; R=0.71, p=0.03; R=-0.87, p=0.000). Of the estrogen metabolites, estrone (E1) was significantly related to the normal desire to void (R=0.68, p=0.04) and 17 beta-estradiol/estrone was also significantly related to the normal and strong desire to void (R=-0.70, p=0.03 and R=-0.74, p=0.02, respectively). The urinary progesterone and androgen metabolite concentrations were positively related to the residual volume in uroflowmetry and positively or negatively related to MUCP and FUL. However, the urinary estrone concentration was positively related to the normal desire to void and 17 beta-estradiol/estrone was significantly related to the normal and strong desire to void.
Aged ; Androgens/*metabolism ; Bladder/physiology ; Estrogens/*metabolism ; Female ; Human ; Mass Fragmentography ; Middle Aged ; Postmenopause/*physiology ; Progesterone/metabolism ; Urethra/physiology ; *Urodynamics

New studys on the sebaceous glands in recent years have facilitated the further understanding and treatment of acne vulgaris. This article summarizes the advancements in the relationship between sebaceous glands and acne, with focus on androgen metabolism in skin, abnormal lipids secretion, and immunology of sebaceous gland cells.
Acne Vulgaris ; immunology ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Androgens ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipids ; secretion ; Sebaceous Glands ; immunology ; physiopathology ; secretion ; Skin ; metabolism ; physiopathology

A collection of neurons in the upper lumbar spinal cord (lumbar segments 3 and 4) of male rats project to the lower lumbar spinal cord (lumbar segments 5 and 6) and release a gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) to the somatic and autonomic regions, which are known to regulate male sexual reflexes. The GRP plays some special functions when bound to the specific GRP receptor (GRPR). The spinal GRP system is regulated by androgens. Accumulating evidence shows that GRP plays an important role in rat penile erection and ejaculation, and pharmacological stimulation of GRPRs with a specific agonist can restore penile reflexes and ejaculation in castrated male rats. Therefore, the GRP system appears to be a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of erectile dysfunction or ejaculatory dysfunction. The present paper briefly reviews the recent studies on the role of the spinal GRP system in regulating the sexual function of males.
Androgens ; metabolism ; Animals ; Ejaculation ; physiology ; Gastrin-Releasing Peptide ; metabolism ; physiology ; Male ; Penile Erection ; physiology ; Rats ; Spinal Cord ; metabolism