Inhibition of Bcl-2 enhances the efficacy of epirubicin chemotherapy in PC-3 prostate cancer cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Overexpression of Bcl-2 protein in cancer cells can inhibit programmed cell death and engender chemoresistance. Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide (G3139) has shown its antitumor effects enhanced in preclinical models when combined with taxol-based chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of G3139 combined with epirubicin in the androgen-independent prostate cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC3 prostate cancer cell line was cultured and treated with epirubicin and Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide alone or in combination. The effects of therapeutic agents on cells were determined by the MTT assay. Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was documented by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis induction was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide alone produced no cytotoxic effects and the combination of Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide with epirubicin sensitized PC-3 cells to the killing effects of chemotherapy. A marked down-regulation of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was observed after antisense and epirubicin cotreatment. A statistically significantly higher fraction of apoptotic cells was detected by flow-cytometric analysis after epirubicin treatment with prior antisense Bcl-2 transfenction, as compared with mono antisense Bcl-2 or epirubicin treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These data suggested that inhibition of Bcl-2 expression combined with epirubicin may be an attractive therapeutic strategy in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.</p>

Protective effect of MEK inhibitor (U0126) on donor testes from ischemia-reperfusion injury after orthotopic testicular transplantation in rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the effect of MEK inhibitor (U0126) on donor testes from ischemia-reperfusion injury after orthotopic testicular transplantation in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The rats were divided into 7 groups, Group 1: normal control; Group 2: cold perfusion control; Group 3: sham operation control; Group 4: transplanted for 30 min; Group 5: transplanted for 1 week; Group 6: transplanted for 30 min with pretreatment of U0126; Group 7: transplanted for 1 week with pretreatment of U0126. The orthotopic testicular transplantation model was established with cuff. The levels of ERK1, ERK2, pERK1 and pERK2 of donor testes were evaluated; the change of histology and gonadal hormones were measured as well.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>Group 1, 2 and 3 had no significant differences in all results (P>0.05). The levels of ERK1, ERK2, pERK1 and pERK2 in Group 4 were significantly increased compared with Group 1 (P<0.05), the levels of ERK1 and ERK2 in Group 6 were not different from those of Group 4 (P >0.05), but the levels of pERK1 and pERK2 in Group 6 were lower than those in Group 4 significantly(P <0.05), the histological changes in Group 6 were similar to Group 1 but milder than that in Group 4. The histological injury was more severe in Group 5 than that in Group 7, and the levels of gonadal hormones in Group 5 were lower than those in Group 7 (P <0.05) which remained at the normal levels.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>U0126 has a protective effect on the donor testes in a short period through inhibiting expression of pERK1/2 activated by testicular transplantation.</p>

Incidental prostate cancer in radical cystoprostatectomy specimens / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the rates of prostate cancer (PCa) in radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP) specimens for bladder cancer in mainland China. To determine the follow-up outcome of patients with two concurrent cancers and identify whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a useful tool for the detection of PCa prior to surgery.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From January 2002 to January 2007, 264 male patients with bladder cancer underwent RCP at our center. All patients underwent digital rectal examination (DRE) and B ultrasound. Serum PSA levels were tested in 168 patients. None of the patients had any evidence of PCa before RCP. Entire prostates were embedded and sectioned at 5 mm intervals.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Incidental PCa was observed in 37 of 264 (14.0%) RCP specimens. Of these, 12 (32.4%) were clinically significant according to an accepted definition. The PSA levels were not significantly different between patients with PCa and those without PCa, nor between patients with significant PCa and those with insignificant PCa. Thirty-four patients with incidental PCa were followed up. During a mean follow-up period of 26 months, two patients with PSA > 4 ng/mL underwent castration. None of the patients died of PCa.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The incidence of PCa in RCP specimens in mainland China is lower than that in most developed countries. PSA cannot identify asymptomatic PCa prior to RCP. In line with published reports, incidental PCa does not impact the prognosis of bladder cancer patients undergoing RCP.</p>

Expression of Nkx3.1 enhances 17beta-estradiol anti-tumor action in PC3 human prostate cancer cells / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To explore whether the anti-tumor action of 17beta-estradiol is enhanced by re-expression of the homeodomain transcription factor Nkx3.1 in PC3 human prostate cancer cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>PC3 cells were stably transfected with pcDNA3.1-Nkx3.1-His vector, which carries a full-length cDNA of human Nkx3.1. The PC3 cells stably transfected with vector pcDNA3.1 were set as a control. The expression of Nkx3.1 protein in the cells was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The effect of Nkx3.1 on cell proliferation of PC3 cells was examined with MTT assay. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of 17beta-estradiol alone or in combination with Nkx3.1 were estimated on PC3 cells by using MTT growth tests and flow cytometric analyses. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was analyzed using Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The plasmid carrying Nkx3.1 gene induced high expression of Nkx3.1 protein in PC3 cells. The re-expression of exogenous Nkx3.1 did not cause a significant reduction in cellular proliferation, whereas the expression of Nkx3.1 enhanced the 17beta-estradiol anti-proliferative effect in PC3 cells. Nkx3.1 expression promoted 17beta-estradiol-induced apoptosis of PC3 cells, as shown by analysis of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase expression.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The present study demonstrates that re-expression of Nkx3.1 enhances 17beta-estradiol anti-tumor action in PC3 human prostate cancer cells. The in vitro study suggests that re-expression of Nkx3.1 is worthy of further consideration as an adjuvant treatment of androgen independent prostate cancer with estrogen anti-tumor therapies.</p>

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has a close relation with prostate cancer. It is involved not only in angiogenesis, cell proliferation/survival and glucose metabolism but also in p53, p21 and signal transduction pathway in prostate cancer. Further studies of HIF-1 may yield new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. We present a review of the structure and biological functions of HIF-1 and its relation with prostate cancer.

Expression of oestrogen receptor-alpha and oestrogen receptor-beta in prostate cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Recent studies have suggested that estrogens are involved in normal and abnormal prostate growth, though their exact role is still controversial. Oestrogens exert inhibitory and stimulatory effects on prostate gland, but the expression of oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) and oestrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) in malignant prostate tissue remains unresolved. We determined ERalpha and ERbeta in prostate cancer and investigated the relationship between expression of ER and pathological features of prostate carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty-two cases of prostate cancer, 12 cases of normal prostate tissue and 32 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia were analyzed for the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta using semiquantitative, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the products sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Comparisons of the normal, hyperplastic and tumour prostate tissues indicated an overexpression of ERalpha in tumour specimens (P < 0.01). However, the expression of ERbeta significantly reduced in tumour tissues compared with normal and hyperplastic specimens (P < 0.01), suggesting that severe pathological features of prostate cancer were associated with lower ERbeta expression. Spearman analysis showed negative correlation between ERbeta expression and tumour stage, grade (-0.67, -0.43, respectively, both P < 0.05), and a positive correlation between ERalpha expression and tumour stage, grade (0.51, 0.57, respectively, both P < 0.01). Our analysis also showed that hormone refractory, prostate cancer, compared with hormone dependent, prostate cancer, displayed a decreased expression of ERbeta (P < 0.01) and an increased expression of ERalpha.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>ERalpha and ERbeta may play important roles in the development of prostate cancer. The decrease in ERbeta expression is associated with higher Gleason grade tumours and prostate cancer with higher metastatic potential. The loss of ERbeta could be one of the key processes leading to uncontrolled growth of prostate epithelial cells.</p>

Ultrastructural changes of the rat convoluted seminiferous tubule-after alcohol consumption / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the ultrastructural changes of the rat convoluted seminiferous tubule after alcohol consumption.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight Wistar mature male rats were divided into two groups randomly: control group (A) and experimental one (B). 6 ml/(kg x d) of 50 degrees alcohol was perfused through the gastric tube for 39 days in Group B; and 6 ml/(kg x d) of normal saline was supplemented in Group A. The ultrastructure of the rat convoluted seminiferous tubule was observed by transmission electron microscope at day 14, 27 and 40.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In Group A, the pykno-basement membrane was unstriated and uniform, Sertoli cells showed cytoplasmic profusion, with big nucleus, well-distributed nucleoplasm, distinct nucleolus, more mitochondria and plain hierarchical tight-junction. And the ultrastructure of the rat convoluted seminiferous tubule in Group B began to change at the end of the first spermatogenic cycle (D 14) and changed more and more evidently with the ethanol administration, mainly as follows: (1) more lysosomes and vacuolisation found in Sertoli cells, and organelles decreased and blurry; (2) more and bigger vacuoles among the spermatogonia, Sertoli cells and basement membrane; (3) obvious apoptosis of spermatogonia and apoptotic bodies aggregated near the membrane; (4) more cytoplasm and vacuolisation in the sperm of the convoluted seminiferous tubule, and disarranged, deleted or clustered mitochondria in the sperm tail; (5) blurry and rigid tight-junction; (6) thickened, wrinkled or broken basement membrane and under-basement</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Alcohol can cause ultrastructural changes of the basement membrane, tight-junction and Sertoli cells of the membrane. rat convoluted seminiferous tubule and apoptosis of spermatogonia.</p>

Distribution features of Gleason score and its relationship with clinical stages in 346 prostate cancer patients / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the distribution features of Gleason score and evaluate the relationship between Gleason score and clinical stages in patients with prostate cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Surveys were made of the inpatients with prostate cancer diagnosed by pathology from January 1992 to June 2005 in our hospital. Gleason score and clinical stages were determined on the basis of pathological examination and clinical data of the prostate cancer patients. The patients were divided into three groups (1992-1999, 2000-2002 and 2003-2005). The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the distribution and differences of Gleason score among the three groups. Spearman rank correlation was applied to the evaluation of the relationship between Gleason score and clinical stages.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>We found a statistically significant shift in the distribution of Gleason score (chi2 = 17.703, P < 0.01), and a slight increase in the mean Gleason score. The proportion of moderately differentiated tumor increased (chi2 = 10.736, P < 0.01). There was little change in the proportion of Gleason score 7, 8, 9 and 10 (chi2 = 4.038, P > 0.05). Gleason score had a significant positive correlation with clinical stages in the 346 cases of prostate cancer (r = 0.452, P < 0.01). Significant difference was observed between Gleason score 2-6 and 7 or 8-10 (chi2 = 8.786, P < 0.01, chi2 = 22.956, P < 0.01), but not between the latter 2 groups (chi2 = 0.787, P > 0.05) in prediction of organ-confined disease.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Gleason score 7 shows the similar value to Gleason score 8-10 in predicting the progression of the disease. Gleason score was significantly correlated with clinical stages, which suggests that Gleason score is also an important indicator for the prognosis of prostate cancer.</p>

Effect of cocaine on germ cell apoptosis in rats at different ages / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of cocaine on apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in germ cells in male rats at different ages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cocaine hydrochloride was given (15 mg/kg body weight s.c.) to male Sprague-Dawley rats of 3 weeks (n = 8), 6 weeks (n = 8) and 12 weeks (n = 8) of age, daily for 28 Days. The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), testosterone (T) and estrogen (E2) were assayed, and the DNA fragmentation of germ cells was determined by gel eletronphoresis. The cell cycle, apoptosis and caspase-3 activity of germ cells were tested by flow cytometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the 28-day cocaine treatment, testes weight of the 3-week-old rats, the testes and body weights of the 6-week-old rats were decreased significantly compared to those of their corresponding controls (P < 0.05). The serum level of T was decreased significantly in the 3-week-old and 6-week-old rats, and the serum level of PRL was also decreased significantly in 12-week-old rats compared to the controls (P < 0.05). In all the three cocaine-treated groups, the isolated DNA displayed a clear ladder pattern, especially in the 6-week old rats. The number of apoptosic germ cells increased significantly in 3- and 6-week-old rats treated with cocaine (P < 0.05). The caspase-3 activity in all three groups increased significantly compared to the controls (P < 0.05), especially in the 6-week-old rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cocaine exposure for 28 Days leads to significant damage to male gonad and apoptosis elevation in testes of rats of different ages, especially in those of 6 weeks of age. The increase in caspase-3 activity might be a key pathway related to the early stage of apoptosis as the mechanism of cocaine-induced germ cell loss.</p>

RNA interference inhibits VEGF expression and growth of PC-3 in prostate carcinoma / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To construct a eukaryotic expression vector carrying human VEGF RNAi and to study the effect of RNA interference on VEGF expression in prostate carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>VEGF RNAi was synthesized, inserted into the RNA interference eukaryotic expression vector, and confirmed by the result sequencing. The vector was transfected into prostate cancer PC-3, the VEGF expression detected by Western blot and the cell inhibiting rate determined by MTT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The VEGF RNAi eukaryotic expression vector was successfully constructed. Compared with the empty vector group and the control group, the amount of VEGF protein expression was obviously decreased in the VEGF RNAi group. The inhibiting rates were 23.5% , 33. 5% and 40. 8% at 24, 48 and 72 h respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>VEGF RNAi can inhibit the protein expression and growth of PC-3, which provides an experimental base for the biological therapy of prostate cancer.</p>

Establishment of testis transplantation model and study on mechanism of graft injury in rats / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish the testis transplantation model in rats and to study the mechanism of graft injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The testis orthotopic transplantation model was established using three-cuff method. The animals were divided into 6 groups. Serum levels of testosterone (T), luteining hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Morphology and ultrastructure were examined by light and electron microscopy. Expression of Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) mRNA was studied by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>On the 7th day postoperatively, the allotransplanted testes showed perivascular massive infiltration of lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) and reduced number of the sertoli cells under light microscopy. It also showed the broken blood-testis barrier, the atrophy of the sertoli cells and spermatogenic cells arranged in disorder under electron microscopy. The decline of serum T level and the increase of serum LH and FSH levels were similar to those found in bilateral castrates. The levels of GDNFmRNA expression were lower than those in normal controls. On 14th day postoperatively, the spermatogenesis of allotransplanted testes was still not recovered and the expression of GDNFmRNA declined further.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The atrophy and reduced number of the sertoli cells and the breakage of the close connection probably are the main causes of dysfunction of spermatogenesis. The decline of GDNFmRNA expression is in accordance with the dysfunction of the sertoli cells and the spermatogenesis.</p>

The specific expression profile of homeobox gene NKX3.1 mRNA and protein in prostate tissues and its relationship with primary prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine expressions of NKX3.1 mRNA and protein in prostatic tissues and to investigate the relation between homeobox gene NKX3.1 and prostatic carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>76 prostatic tissues (32 cancer, 12 normal prostate and 32 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues) and 96 non-prostatic tissues were analyzed for the detection of expressions of NKX3.1 mRNA and protein by using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemical technique.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 76 prostatic tissues, NKX3.1 mRNA was detected in 75 specimens (98.7%), whereas in 96 non-prostatic specimens, NKX3.1 mRNA was negatively expressed in the tissues of bladder, kidney, liver, intestine, fat and skin, except for two expressed in testis and one in mammary gland. The expression ratio of NKX3.1 protein in the epithelia cells of prostate was 100%, but in testis mammary gland was 16.7%, in bladder and intestine was 8.3%, and in kidney, liver, fat and skin was 0% (P < 0.01). The total strong positive ratio of NKX3.1 protein in the epithelia cell of prostate was 94.7%, 5.3% in the stroma cell of prostate (P < 0.01), and 13.6% in benignant prostate cell, 40.6% in prostate cancer (P < 0.01), respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is suggested that NKX3.1 is not only the prostate-specific homeobox gene, but is the epithelia-cell-specific gene of prostate. It may play an important role in the development of prostatic carcinoma.</p>

Age and pathological features of 481 prostate cancer patients / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the age and pathological features of prostate cancer patients in recent years.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>An analysis was made of the age and pathological features of 481 cases of prostate cancer pathologically diagnosed from January 1998 to April 2004, 39 cases in 1998, 69 in 1999, 73 in 2000, 68 in 2001, 72 in 2002, 121 in 2003, and 39 in the first four months of 2004.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients ranged in age from 40 to 91 years, averaging 72, 95% between 55 and 84, and 84.2% over 65 years. Pathologically, 14 cases were well, 29 moderately, and 83 poorly differentiated according to the three-grade system (WHO, the Mostofi system), with 355 cases ungraded. Forty cases (8.3%) were microcarcinoma (< 1 cm), and 20 cases (4.2%) incidental carcinoma. Of the total number, 473 cases (98.1%) were pathologically diagnosed as adenocarcinoma, 1 endometrioid adenocarcinoma, 1 squamous cell carcinoma, 1 signet ring cell carcinoma, 1 adenosquamous cell carcinoma, 1 small cell carcinoma, 1 mucinous adenocarcinoma, 1 adenoid cystic carcinoma, and 1 transitional cell carcinoma.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Prostate cancer commonly develops in men over 65 years, and adenocarcinoma is the most common histological type. The disease has become a major malignant tumor to endanger elderly males.</p>

Preliminary study on androgen dependence of calcitonin gene-related peptide in rat penis / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>UNLABELLED</b>To study the androgen dependence of the neurotransmitter, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in rat penis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into Group A (intact controls), Group B (castrated) and Group C (gavaged with finasteride 4.5 mg.kg(-1).day(-1)). Four and ten weeks later respectively, half of rats in each group were anaesthetized. Blood samples were taken for the measurement of serum testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by means of radioimmunoassay. Penile samples were harvested for the investigation of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers with immunohistochemistry. The computer-assisted imaging analysis system was applied to calculate the area proportion of the CGRP-positive nerve fibers (CGRP-PNF) in each group.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1) Both 4 and 10 weeks later, testosterone and DHT levels in Group B decreased significantly compared with those in Group A, (P <0.05, P <0.01, respectively); DHT level in Group C was also significantly decreased in comparison with that in Group A for both 4- and 10- week animals (P <0.05); 2) There was no significant differences in area proportion of CGRP-PNF among Groups A, B and C 4 weeks after treatments (P >0.05); However, 10 weeks later, the proportion of CGRP-PNF in Groups B and C was significantly less than that in Group A (P <0.01); 3) The proportion of CGRP-PNF of 4-week animals in Groups B and C was significantly higher than that of 10-week animals (P <0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of neurotransmitter, CGRP may depend on androgens, including testosterone and DHT in rat penis.</p>

A large intrascrotal calculus / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

A large stone with 8.7 cm multiply 7.2 cm multiply 6.5 cm in size and 420 g in weight dropped down spontaneously from a 93-year-old man's scrotum, who had suffered from left intrascrotal mass and pain for more than 20 years. The component of the stone was magnesium ammonium phosphate. To the best of our knowledge, it is the largest intrascrotal calculus reported in the world. We hereby present the case and discuss the diagnosis and etiology of scrotal calculi.

Three-cuff method for establishing an allogeneic testis transplantation model in the rat / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a model of testis transplantation in the rat using cuff techniques.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty healthy inbred Wistar rats were included as donors and recipients. The testicular artery with the aortic segment with two cuffs was anastomosed to the recipient's aorta and the testicular vein with a cuff was anastomosed to the left common iliac vein of the recipient. The vas deferens was end-to-end anastomosed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 30 rats undergoing transplantation, 27 survived, 2 died from paralytic intestinal obstruction and 1 died from hemorrhage. Of the 27 survivals, 4, 4 and 5 were vivisected on the 14th, 28th and 56th day after operation, respectively, showing a good blood supply to the graft. Another 14 rats were used in another experiment, which revealed no obvious congestion, necrosis and edema in the left lower limb of the recipients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The model of allogeneic rat testis transplantation established with cuff techniques, simple, stable and reliable, can be used as a tool for the study of testis transplantation.</p>

Significance and limitations of f/tPSA in differential diagnosis of prostate cancer with tPSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study significance and limitations of the ratio of free to total prostate specific antigen (f/t PSA) in differential diagnosis between prostate cancer and benign prostatehyperplasia (BPH) with total PSA (tPSA) levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We analysed retrospectively 180 prostate cancer and BPH patients who were diagnosed and treated in our hospital from October 1998 to October 2002 and had serum tPSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml. Of the 180 patients, 36 (20%) were histologically confirmed as prostate cancer and 144 (80%) BPH. The tPSA and free PSA (fPSA) in serum were measured by micropartical enzyme immunoassay. Prostate volume was measured by transabdominal ultrasonography. We chose Student's t-test for comparison between prostate cancer and BPH groups. The correlation between prostate volume and f/t PSA was analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficient.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean values of tPSA and f/t PSA were 6.75 ng/ml and 0.17 in patients with prostate cancer, 6.48 ng/ml and 0.25 in patients with BPH. The mean value of tPSA wasn't significantly different between patients with prostate cancer and BPH (P > 0.05). However, the mean value of f/t PSA of patients with prostate cancer was significantly lower than that of patients with BPH (P < 0.01). Furthermore, there were significant and positive correlation between prostate volume and f/t PSA in both groups with prostate cancer and BPH (prostate cancer group's correlation coefficient (r = 0.50, P < 0.01); BPH group (r = 0.24, P < 0.01). There was significant difference in f/t PSA between prostate cancer and BPH patients with prostate volumes more than 40 cm(3) (P < 0.05), but not between these two groups with prostate volumes more than 40 cm(3) (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The f/t PSA is significant in differential diagnosis between prostate cancer and BPH with tPSA levels between 4 and 10 ng/ml. But prostate volume has an effect on f/tPSA. The f/tPSA has diagnostic value of differentiation only when the prostate volume is less than 40 cm(3).</p>

Ultrastructural changes of penile tunica albuginea in diabetic rats / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To clarify the ultrastructural changes of penile tunica albuginea (TA) in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Intraperitoneal injection of STZ was used to induce diabetes mellitus (DM) in 12 Sprague Dawley rats. Ten rats (age and weight-matched) were used as control. Blood samples from the tail snips of the rats were used for the determination of serum glucose levels with SureStep Plus Blood Meter. At week 4 and 10 after the injection, half of the rats in each group were sacrificed and penile samples were obtained from the middle third of the penile shaft for the examination of TA under scanning electron microscopy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the diabetic group, the serum glucose levels were higher (P<0.01 at both time points) and the TA were thinner (P<0.05) than those of the controls. In the control group, the fibers of TA were rich and arranged regularly and undulated, while in the diabetic group, the fibers were diminished, lost the undulations and were arranged irregularly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In rats, DM appeared to impair the penile TA ultrastructures and this impairment could contribute to diabetic erectile dysfunction in part by impairing the veno-occlusive function.</p>

Comparative studies of the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha and estrogen receptor-beta in prostatic carcinoma / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the expression of estrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) and estrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) in prostatic carcinoma (PCa).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The expression of ERalpha and ERbeta was analysed in 32 cases of PCa, 12 cases of normal prostate tissue and 32 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) by semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the genes were sequenced.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the tissue of BPH, the ERalpha expression significantly increased, but the ERbeta expression decreased in the tissue of PCa (P < 0.01). Compared with in the early stage and high differentiation of prostatic carcinoma, the ERalpha expression increased obviously, but ERbeta expression decreased in the developed stage and low differentiation (P < 0.01). ERalpha increased, but ERbeta decreased in hormone-refractory prostatic carcinoma (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>ERalpha and ERbeta may play an important role in the development of PCa. It is shown that analysis of the expression of ER, especially ERbeta in PCa, will benefit to the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.</p>

Experimental study on attachment of bacillus Calmette-Guerin to bladder wall with different types of injury / 浙江大学学报·医学版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate whether different types of injury on bladder wall can influence bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) attachment.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The bladder mucosa of 24 rabbits were treated by electrocautery,cryocautery and incision on left lateral wall, right lateral wall and posterior wall, respectively. Then radiolabeled BCG ((3)H-BCG) was instilled into bladder. Two hours latter, the injured bladder wall with different methods and non-injured wall (anterior wall of bladder) were surgically removed and digested. The quantity of BCG of each specimen was determined by liquid scintillation counter.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The quantity of BCG attachment to bladder wall with different injuries was significantly higher than that of non-injured wall (P<0.001), meanwhile there was no statistically difference among the BCG levels of different injury types (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BCG attachment is not influenced by different types of injury on the bladder wall.</p>