The Role of Testosterone and Estradiol on the Morphological and Histological Changes of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy in Sprague Dawley Rats.

摘要

Encircling the first part of the urethra, inferior to the bladder, is the walnut-sized prostate of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to secrete slightly alkaline fluid containing a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) that equates to 1/3rd the volume of sperm, enhances sperm motility, and protects genetic information. As males age, uncontrollable growth of the prostate leads to enlargement of the prostate gland, known as benign prostatic hypotrophy (BPH). BPH commonly leads to urinary retention, inability to control urination, continual dripping of urine, urinary tract infections, and kidney stones. Such symptoms of BPH are signs that an individual may develop prostate cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, there were roughly 220,800 new cases of prostate cancer and 27,540 deaths from prostate cancer, which occurred among individuals approximately 66 years of age in 2015. Prostate hypertrophy that is linked to prostate cancer has been shown to be regulated by hormones, specifically the male hormone testosterone. Recent studies have shown that estrogen can enhance transcription of androgen-responsive genes, potentially playing a crucial role in inhibiting prostate hypertrophy. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between hormonal regulation and the effects on morphological changes in the prostate. The experiments are designed to test the possibility that testosterone, as well as estrogen, regulates prostate hypertrophy. Sprague Dawely rats were induced with BPH by subcutaneous injections of testosterone propionate at 3.7 mg/kg for 3 weeks. Histopathological studies have been used to identify morphologic changes in the prostate of rats treated with different dosages of testosterone propionate (TP: 0.15 mg/kg - 92.6 mg/kg) and estradiol (e2: 0 mug/kg -1250 mug/kg). The morphological changes of the prostatic cells were analyzed after administering different dosages containing combinations of estrogen and testosterone to the rat groups. Several studies have shown that TP increases the hypertrophy of the luminal prostate, and utilization of 60mug estradiol (e2) and 3mg of testosterone propionate. In such cases TP shows an inhibition of BPH. Results of this study suggest that cellular morphological changes in prostatic hypertrophy are under the influence of differing hormonal concentrations.