Chonnam Med J.  2006 Apr;42(1):44-48.

Expression of Growth Factors in Castrated Rat Prostate

• Hwang EC
• Ahn KY
• Lee MN
• Youn CW
• Kang TW
• Kwon DD
• Park KS
• Ryu SB

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) seems to be influenced by the testosterone and growth factors. In this study, the expressions of the growth factors were evaluated in the prostate tissue of castrated rat model. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: two groups were castrated (one group received testosterone replacement), and the control group underwent sham operations. Seven days after surgery, the testosterone replacement group received subcutaneous injections of testosterone (0.5 mg/day) for 30 days. Prostate tissue was processed for histology with hematoxylin and eosin stain. The expressions of TGF-beta1 and FGF-1 were examined by immunohistochemistry. Prostate weight decreased significantly in castration group (0.20+/-0.05 g) compared with the control (0.66+/-0.09 g) and the testosterone-replaced groups (0.85+/-0.34 g). In histology, decreased prostate glands were noted in the castrated group compared with the control group. The expression of TGF-beta1 increased in castrated rats compared with the control and testosterone-replacement groups. Expression of FGF-1 decreased in the castrated rats; however, it increased in the testosterone-replacement group. This study showed that TGF-beta1 and FGF-1 affected growth and atrophy of prostate gland. These observations suggest that modulation of the growth factors may inhibit progression of BPH.

Keyword

Benign prostatic hyperplasia; Testosterone; Castration

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Atrophy
Castration
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Fibroblast Growth Factor 1
Hematoxylin
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Injections, Subcutaneous
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins*
Male
Models, Animal
Prostate*
Prostatic Hyperplasia
Rats*
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Testosterone
Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Eosine Yellowish-(YS)
Fibroblast Growth Factor 1
Hematoxylin
Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
Testosterone
Transforming Growth Factor beta1