OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of stromal cells on the Kallikrein 7 (KLK7) expression of epithelial cells in benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe constructed a stromal-epithelial co-culture model after separating the two types of cells from BPH tissues and identifying them by cell morphology and chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The expression of KLK7 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR in the epithelial cells with or without the stromal cells, and that of the KLK7 protein (hK7) determined by Western blot.

RESULTSStromal and epithelial cells were successfully separated and identified, and a stromal-epithelial co-culture model successfully established. RT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression of the KLK7 gene was higher in the epithelial cells co-cultured with stromal cells than in the epithelial cells alone, and the gray value of KLK7 to GAPDH was 1.41 +/- 0.041 in the former and 1.78 +/- 0.10 in the latter (P < 0.01). The results of Western blot were consistent with those of RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONStromal cells can suppress the expression of the KLK7 gene in the epithelial cells in BPH. KLK7 may be involved in the change of epithelial cells stimulated by stromal cells.

Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Kallikreins ; metabolism ; Male ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Stromal Cells ; metabolism

Adenomyosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Adult ; CA-125 Antigen ; metabolism ; Endometrial Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometrial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Endometriosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged

Estrogen is a strong growth regulator of the prostate stromal cells, it produces a marked effect by means of binding to specific receptors. Many researches have indicated that estrogen and estrogen receptors take part in the whole process and development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. This article gives a general description of the function of estrogen and estrogen receptors in benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Estrogens ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; Receptors, Estrogen ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of interleukin (IL)-21 (IL-21) and IL-22 in patients with Kimura's disease (KD).

METHODSExpressions of IL-21 and IL-22 were examined immunohistochemically in 36 patients with KD and 7 normal controls. The integral absorbance (IA) of the two groups was compared. Meanwhile, clinical data were reviewed.

RESULTSThe IA of IL-21 [M(Q): 1 373 418 (1 800 926)] and IL-22 [M(Q): 462 086(484 672)] in KD was significantly higher than those in normal controls [M(Q): 70 445(44 658), 51 599(71 241), P < 0.05]. The overexpression of IL-21 was significantly associated with pruritus (Z = -1.993, P < 0.05). Moreover, IL-21 was identified for disease recurrence (Z = -2.303, P < 0.05). There was a significant association between the expression of IL-22 and the number of affected sites (Z = -1.979, P < 0.05). In addition, IL-22 was significantly higher in the high-eosinophils group than in the low-eosinophils group (Z = -2.025, P < 0.05). There was no association between IL-21, IL-22 and age, gender, laterality, maximum size.

CONCLUSIONSIL-21 and IL-22 may be involved in the pathogenesis of KD.

Angiolymphoid Hyperplasia with Eosinophilia ; metabolism ; Case-Control Studies ; Eosinophils ; Humans ; Interleukins ; metabolism ; Leukocyte Count ; Pruritus ; metabolism ; Recurrence

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

PURPOSE: Aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) is a well-known gene involved in alcohol and aldehyde metabolism. Moreover, recent studies have reported associations between ALDH2 and age-related disorders. Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disorder and genetic factors may contribute to its onset. In this study, we investigated the association of a well-studied ALDH2 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), rs671, with the onset and clinical features of BPH. METHODS: A total of 222 BPH patients and 214 control subjects were genotyped. The clinical features of the BPH patients (prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen level, and International Prostatic Symptom Score) were analyzed. RESULTS: The results show that rs671 was only associated with the volume of BPH in genotype and allele frequencies (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: We propose that rs671 is an Asian-specific SNP in ALDH2 that may affect the disease progression of BPH in the Korean population.
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ; Disease Progression ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Metabolism ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide* ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and significance of Clusterin in normal prostate, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer.

METHODSClusterin expression in samples of 12 normal prostate, 15 BPH, and 56 prostate cancer were studied by immunohistochemical stain.

RESULTSOf 83 cases, 67 are positive or weak positive (81%). The rate of positive or weak positive for normal prostate, BPH and prostate cancer was 17% (2/12), 73% (11/15), and 96% (54/56) respectively. The expression level of Clusterin in prostate cancer was much higher than in normal prostate (t = 8.82, P < 0.01). BPH (t = 7.63, P < 0.01) was related positively with pathological grade (r = 0.649, P < 0.01) and stage (r = 0.609, P < 0.01) of prostate cancer.

CONCLUSIONClusterin may play an important role in the biological characteristics of prostate cancer by the anti-apoptosis pathway.

Apoptosis ; Clusterin ; metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Prostate ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo study the mechanism of restenosis after angioplasty and to clarify the effect of thrombin and its receptor on restenosis development.

METHODSBalloon catheter-induced injury was adopted to induce intimal hyperplasia of the carotid arteries in rats. Antisense thrombin receptor (ATR) cDNA was transfected by perfusing recombinant LXSN ATR plasmid/nanoparticle complex into the segment of the injured carotid artery.

RESULTSPCR result showed integration of the recombined gene. Dot blot showed the expression of antisense TR mediated by recombinant LXSN ATR plasmid/nanoparticle complex in the wall of common carotid arteries of the experimental group rats, which enabled to inhibit TR gene expression and intimal hyperplasia of the injured arteries.

CONCLUSIONSThrombin and its receptor play an important role in the formation of neointima after the injury, which provides a potential clue in developing a new approach for prevention and treatment of restenosis after angioplasty.

Animals ; Carotid Arteries ; Hyperplasia ; Rats ; Receptors, Thrombin ; metabolism ; Thrombin ; pharmacology ; Tunica Intima ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To explore the expression of perforin and granzyme-B in peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) and the clinical significance. METHODS: The expressions of perforin and granzyme-B in PBL were detected by fluorescence quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. The results of perforin and granzyme-B expression were compared among patients with PCa (n=60), patients with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia, n=40) and healthy controls (n=20). RESULTS: Th e expressions of perforin and granzyme-B in patients with PCa were significantly lower than that in patients with BPH or that in the healthy controls (P<0.05), respectively. Furthermore, in PCa patients with low pathological grade, the expressions of perforin and granzyme-B in PBL was statistically higher than that in patients with high pathological grade (P<0.05). The expressions of perforin and granzyme-B in PCa patients at high clinical stage was statistically lower than that in PCa patients at low clinical stage (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that development and progression of PCa might be associated with poor immune status of patients.
Case-Control Studies ; Granzymes ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; enzymology ; Male ; Perforin ; metabolism ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; immunology

Adenoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Biomarkers ; metabolism ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Basal Cell ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Prostate ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; metabolism ; pathology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology