ABSTRACT
Background and Objectives@#Adipose tissue is a source of mesenchymal stem cells, which have the potential to differentiate into various types of cells. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are now recognized as an accessible, abundant, and reliable stem cells suitable for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications. However, few literatures gave a comprehensive report on the capacities of ADSCs harvested from different sites. Especially, the capacities of ADSCs from aged mice remained unclear. In this study, we investigated several main capacities of brown adipose derived stem cells (B-ADSCs) and white adipose derived stem cells (W-ADSCs) from both young and aged mice. @*Methods@#and Results: When isolated from young mice, B-ADSCs showed a stronger proliferation rate and higher osteogenic, adipogenic and myocardial differentiation ability than W-ADSCs. Carboxy fluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) labeling test suggested no significant difference in immunosuppression capacity between B-ADSCs and W-ADSCs. Similarly, no difference between these two were found in several immune related molecules, such as programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 10 (IL10), and suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (socs1). When isolated from aged mice, B-ADSCs also showed a stronger proliferation rate and higher osteogenic, adipogenic and myocardial differentiation ability than W-ADSCs; however, it demonstrated an attenuated immunosuppression capacity compared to W-ADSCs. @*Conclusions@#In summary, our data showed that ADSCs’ characteristics were tissue source dependent and changed with age. It provided evidence for choosing the right tissue-specific ADSCs for clinical application and fundamental research.
ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to reveal the effects of silicon (Si) application on nutrient utilization efficiency by rice and on soil nutrient availability and soil microorganisms in a hybrid rice double-cropping planting system. A series of field experiments were conducted during 2017 and 2018. The results showed that Si nutrient supply improved grain yield and the utilization rates of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) to an appropriate level for both early and late plantings, reaching a maximum at 23.4 kg/ha Si. The same trends were found for the ratios of available N (AN) to total N (TN) and available P (AP) to total P (TP), the soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN), microbial biomass phosphorus (MBP), and the ratios of MBN to TN and MBP to TP, at different levels of Si. Statistical analysis further revealed that Si application enhanced rice growth and increased the utilization rate of fertilizer due to an ecological mechanism, i.e., Si supply significantly increased the total amount of soil microorganisms in paddy soil compared to the control. This promoted the mineralization of soil nutrients and improved the availability and reserves of easily mineralized organic nutrients.
ABSTRACT
Precision medicine has become a new mode of modern medicine, and personalized medication is the important embodiment of clinical application of precision medicine. The advances of life science technologies greatly facilitated precision medicine, and also promoted the shift of the mode of clinical pharmacy care from rational drug use and individualized medication to precision medication. To achieve"one person, one mode" clinical dosage regimens,it is necessary to rely on the supports of advanced life science technologies and precisely analyzing and accurately characterizing the biomarker clusters related to individual differences among patients, pathological differences of disease, and disease progression. This article illustrated the recent advances in the application of pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics, omics technology and liquid biopsy to the design of dosage regimen, prediction of therapeutic effect and adverse drug reactions, etc. in the era of precision medicine. Furthermore, the development direction of the new model of clinical pharmaceutical care faced on the precision medicine is prospected.
ABSTRACT
Clopidogrel exhibits variable individual pharmacokinetic, and clopidogrel resistance may occur in some patients which can’t obtain effective platelet inhibition. To prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular adverse events and improve the clinical curative effect, the article explicated and analyzed relevant guidelines and the latest research of clopidogrel detailedly, summarized an individual dose recommendation in pharmacogenomics for the rational use of clopidogrel.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To study the regulatory effect of deubiquitinase MYSM1 on differentiation of B cells to plasma cells.@*METHODS@#The interfering and overexpression plasmids of MYSM1 were constructed and then the corresponding lentiviruses were packaged. Human CD19 B cells were isolated from human peripheral blood with Miltenyi B cell isolation kit. Purified CD19 B cells were transduced with lentiviruses and then treated with LPS, the CD138 expression was detected by flow cytometry. The expression of transcription factor was determined by quantitative PCR.@*RESULTS@#The differentiation of B cells to plasma cells was enhanced after interfering in MYSM1 expression. Quantitative PCR showed that mRNA levels of Pax5 and Bach2 in cells with interfering in MYSM1 were much lower than their counterpart (P＜0.01), and mRNA levels of Prdm1 and Xbp1 in cells with interfering in MYSM1 were much higher than their counterpart (P＜0.01). On the contrary, the differentiation of B cells to plasma cells was inhibited after the overexpression of MYSM1. Quantitative PCR showed that mRNA levels of Pax5 and Bach2 in cells with MYSM1 overexpression were higher than those in control cells (P＜0.01), and mRNA levels of Prdm1 and Xbp1 in cells with MYSM1 overexpression were much lower than those in their counterpart (P＜0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#MYSM1 negatively regulates differentiation of human B cells to plasma cells.
Subject(s)
Humans , B-Lymphocytes , Cell Differentiation , DNA-Binding Proteins , Genetics , Deubiquitinating Enzymes , Plasma Cells , Transcription Factors , GeneticsABSTRACT
<p><b>Objective</b>To investigate the association of circumcision with the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection in men.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We collected the samples from the surface of the coronal sulcus, glans penis, penile shaft and scrotum of 351 males examined for HPV infection in our hospital from January 2016 to August 2017, of whom 118 had received circumcision while the other 233 had not. We compared the incidence rate of HPV infection between the circumcision and non-circumcision groups and analyzed the association of the age of circumcision with the incidence of HPV infection.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>HPV infection was found in 135 (38.46%) of the males, 29 (24.58%) in the circumcision group and 106 (45.49%) in the non-circumcision group, significantly lower in the former than in the latter (χ² = 14.48, P < 0.01). The incidence rate of HPV infection was also remarkably lower in the males circumcised at ≤17 years (13.16% ［5/38］) than in those circumcised at >17 years of age (30.0% ［24/80］) (χ² = 3.942, P = 0.047).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Male circumcision helps reduce the incidence rate of HPV infection in men and earlier surgery may achieve even better effect.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Circumcision, Male , Incidence , Papillomaviridae , Papillomavirus Infections , Diagnosis , Epidemiology , Penis , Virology , Scrotum , VirologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of microRNA-20a(MiR-20a) on osteogenic differentiation of mouse C3H/10T1/2 cells and its regulatory mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Osteogenic differentiation of C3H/10T1/2 cells were identified by ALP staining and qRT-PCR. MiR-20a mimics and CKIP-1 siRNA were transfected into C3H/10T1/2 cells respectively with lipo3000. The expression of osteoblast marker genes, miR-20a and CKIP-1 were quantitatively assessed by qRT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>miR-20a expression was up-regulated during osteoblast differentiation of C3H/10T1/2 cells. Overexpression of miR-20a promoted osteogenic differentiation. Furthermore, miR-20a inhibited the expression of bone formation negative regulator CKIP-1. Additionally, CKIP-1 knockdown promoted osteogenic differentiation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>MiR-20a promotes osteogenic differentiation of C3H/10T1/2 cells possibly through inhibiting the expression of CKIP-1.</p>
ABSTRACT
LncRNAH19 has been implicated as having both oncogenic and tumor suppression properties in cancer. LncRNAH19 transcripts also serve as a precursor for miR-675. However, it is unknown whether LncRNAH19 and miR-675 are involved in the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 on migration and invasion of HCC cells. The migration and invasion of HCC cells were measured by Transwell migration and invasion assays after transfection of HCC cells with miR-675 inhibitors and LncRNAH19siRNA. The levels of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein expression of AKT, GSK-3β and Cdc25A by Western blotting analysis. The expression levels of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 were higher in MHCC-97H cells than in L02, Huh-7 and HepG2 cells. Transwell migration assay revealed that the miR-675 inhibitor and LncRNAH19siRNA could significantly increase the migration of HCC cells (P<0.01) as compared with the control group. Transwell invasion assay demonstrated that the miR-675 inhibitor and LncRNAH19siRNA could significantly increase the invasion of HCC cells (P<0.01) as compared with the control group. Western blotting analysis showed that the expression levels of AKT and Cdc25A were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the expression level of GSK-3β was significantly decreased (P<0.05) after treatment with miR-675 inhibitors and LncRNAH19siRNA as compared with the control group. These findings suggested that inhibition of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 expression can promote migration and invasion of HCC cells via AKT/GSK-3β/Cdc25A signaling pathway.
Subject(s)
Humans , Blotting, Western , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Genetics , Metabolism , Pathology , Cell Line , Cell Line, Tumor , Cell Movement , Genetics , Down-Regulation , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Gene Knockdown Techniques , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 , Metabolism , Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta , Hep G2 Cells , Liver Neoplasms , Genetics , Metabolism , Pathology , MicroRNAs , Genetics , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt , Metabolism , RNA Interference , RNA, Long Noncoding , Genetics , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Signal Transduction , cdc25 Phosphatases , MetabolismABSTRACT
LncRNAH19 has been implicated as having both oncogenic and tumor suppression properties in cancer. LncRNAH19 transcripts also serve as a precursor for miR-675. However, it is unknown whether LncRNAH19 and miR-675 are involved in the migration and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect and mechanism of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 on migration and invasion of HCC cells. The migration and invasion of HCC cells were measured by Transwell migration and invasion assays after transfection of HCC cells with miR-675 inhibitors and LncRNAH19siRNA. The levels of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein expression of AKT, GSK-3β and Cdc25A by Western blotting analysis. The expression levels of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 were higher in MHCC-97H cells than in L02, Huh-7 and HepG2 cells. Transwell migration assay revealed that the miR-675 inhibitor and LncRNAH19siRNA could significantly increase the migration of HCC cells (P<0.01) as compared with the control group. Transwell invasion assay demonstrated that the miR-675 inhibitor and LncRNAH19siRNA could significantly increase the invasion of HCC cells (P<0.01) as compared with the control group. Western blotting analysis showed that the expression levels of AKT and Cdc25A were significantly increased (P<0.05), and the expression level of GSK-3β was significantly decreased (P<0.05) after treatment with miR-675 inhibitors and LncRNAH19siRNA as compared with the control group. These findings suggested that inhibition of LncRNAH19 and miR-675 expression can promote migration and invasion of HCC cells via AKT/GSK-3β/Cdc25A signaling pathway.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate prognostic factors predicting postoperative period for patients with primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data and prognosis of 35 patients with primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma between August 2002 and June 2011 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The resectability rate of primary tumors was 91.4% (32/35) , and 71.4% (25/35) of the patients underwent complete resection. The 21 patients (84.0%) who got a complete resection of the primary tumor got tumor recurrence and died of tumor recurrence eventually. The overall 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate were 82.9%, 54.3% and 31.4% and the median survival was 36 months. In the analysis of factors influencing postoperative survival, factors associated with postoperative survive were modus operandi of the tumor resection (χ(2) = 16.871, P = 0.000), tumor size (χ(2) = 5.548, P = 0.019) and tumor grade (χ(2) = 8.080, P = 0.014); the difference between age (χ(2) = 0.073, P = 0.787), gender (χ(2) = 2.181, P = 0.140) and adjuvant therapy (χ(2) = 1.344, P = 0.511) got no statistical significance.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The efficiency of adjuvant therapy for primary retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma is not clear, complete resection remains the mainstream for primary leiomyosarcoma. Incomplete resection, large tumor (tumor diameter ≥ 10 cm) and high grade tumor predict shorter postoperative survival period.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Follow-Up Studies , Leiomyosarcoma , Mortality , General Surgery , Postoperative Period , Retroperitoneal Neoplasms , Mortality , General Surgery , Retrospective Studies , Survival RateABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect and safety of low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) in the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMbase, the Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2008), CBM, CNKI. Quality assessment and data extraction were conducted by two reviewers independently. All data were analyzed using Review Manager 4.2.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Six studies (TPT, HOT, PPP, WHS, POPADAD, J-PAD) involving a total of 72,466 participants met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analysis results showed that: (1) Compared with placebo, the incidences of total cardiovascular events (RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.80-0.92), stroke (RR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.77-0.98), nonfatal stroke (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.95) and transient ischemic attack (RR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.64-0.90) were significantly lower in low-dose aspirin group than those in placebo control group (all P < 0.05). (2) Nonfatal myocardial infarction (RR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.77-1.02), death from cardiovascular causes (RR = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.86-1.13) and death from any cause (RR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.88-1.02) were similar between the 2 groups (all P > 0.05). (3) The risk of coronary heart disease was reduced in low-dose aspirin group in the elderly (RR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.70-0.94, P < 0.05). (4) The risk of bleeding was higher in low aspirin group compared to placebo group (RR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.12-1.18, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Low-dose aspirin use could reduce the incidences of total cardiovascular events, stroke, nonfatal stroke and transient ischemic attack but increase the risk of bleeding, the incidence of nonfatal myocardial infarction, death from cardiovascular causes and death from any cause was not affected by low-dose aspirin use. Low-dose aspirin use was also significantly reduced the risk of coronary heart disease in the elderly.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Aspirin , Therapeutic Uses , Cardiovascular Diseases , Drug Therapy , Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors , Therapeutic Uses , Primary Prevention , Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) activation on transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1)-induced connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) expression in rat hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Cultured HSCs with or without PPARgamma-specific antagonist GW9662 treatment prior to the addition of an increasing amount of PPARgamma natural ligand (15-d-PGJ2) or synthetic ligand (GW7845) were stimulated with TGF-beta1. The mRNA and protein levels of CTGF expression were detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The morphological changes of the HSC were observed by electron microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>15-d-PGJ2 and GW7845 significantly inhibited TGF-beta1-induced CTGF expression at both mRNA and protein levels in HSCs, and the inhibitory effect was dramatically, if not completely, abolished by pretreatment with GW9662, suggesting that the inhibition was mediated by PPARgamma. Morphological observation revealed that PPARgamma activation caused obvious changes of HSCs from activated to quiescent phenotypes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>PPARgamma ligand shows potent inhibitory effect on TGF-beta1-induced CTGF expression in rat HSCs, suggesting its potential as a candidate agent for treatment and prevention of hepatic fibrosis.</p>
Subject(s)
Animals , Rats , Cells, Cultured , Connective Tissue Growth Factor , Metabolism , Hepatic Stellate Cells , Metabolism , Oxazoles , Pharmacology , PPAR gamma , Pharmacology , RNA, Messenger , Genetics , Signal Transduction , Transforming Growth Factor beta1 , Pharmacology , Tyrosine , PharmacologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the antioxidant activity of astragalus and its therapeutic effect on gestational diabetes.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighty-four pregnant women with gestational diabetes were divided into insulin and insulin plus astragalus groups after regular dietary control and insulin treatment to maintain stable blood glucose level. The 43 patients in insulin group received insulin injection, whereas the 41 patients in the other group received treatment with both insulin and astragalus. The SOD activity, MDA level, blood lipids and renal function were determined in both groups after the treatments.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The patients with both insulin and astragalus treatments showed significantly increased serum SOD activity and decreased MDA level, renal function and blood lipids in comparison with those with exclusive insulin treatment.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Astragalus can effectively control blood glucose, reduce the free radicals, and promote the antioxidative activity, and may play a role in the prevention and treatment of gestational diabetes.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Pregnancy , Antioxidants , Metabolism , Astragalus Plant , Diabetes, Gestational , Drug Therapy , Metabolism , Drugs, Chinese Herbal , Therapeutic Uses , Malondialdehyde , Metabolism , Oxidation-Reduction , Phytotherapy , Superoxide Dismutase , Metabolism , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the therapeutic effect of acupuncture on disorders of myometrial gland and the mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-six cases were randomly divided into an acupuncture group and a medication group, 33 cases in each group. The acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at Zhongji (CV 3), Shuidao (ST 28), Tainshu (ST 25), Qugu (CV 2), Zigong (EX-CA 1) as main; the medication group were treated with oral administration of Danazol. Changes of estradiol (E2) level, hemoglobin (Hb) and blood platelet counter (BPC) were observed in the acupuncture group, and the therapeutic effects of the two group were compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The total effective rate was 97.0% in the acupuncture group and 72.7% in the medication group, the former being better than the latter (P<0.05). After treatment, E2 level decreased and Hb and BPC increased in the acupuncture group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Acupuncture has obvious therapeutic effect, which is better than that of simple western medicine. Acupuncture can decrease E2 level.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Acupuncture Therapy , Danazol , Therapeutic Uses , Endometriosis , Therapeutics , Moxibustion , Myometrium , Uterine Diseases , TherapeuticsABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate survivin mRNA and protein expressions in mitomycin (MMC)-treated hepatoma carcinoma Hepa1-6 cells in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Hepa1-6 cells were cultured in vitro in the presence of MMC at the concentrations of 1.0, 3.0 and 9.0 microg/ml, respectively, and 1 day and 3 days after the culture, the cell growth inhibition was assessed using MTT assay and the expressions of survivin were detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>MMC at the concentration of 9.0 microg/ml resulted in significantly greater growth inhibition of the Hepa-6 cells than MMC at 1.0 and 3.0 microg/ml, and at the latter two concentrations, MMC treatment for 3 days did not produce obvious cell growth inhibition. Survivin expressions at both the mRNA and protein levels in Hepa1-6 cells were significantly decreased 1 day after MMC treatment at the 3 concentrations, and after 3-day MMC treatment at 1.0 and 3 microg/ml, survivin expressions increased to exceed the control level, whereas survivin maintained the low expression levels in cells treated with 9 microg/ml MMC for 3 days.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Survivin expression in Hepa1-6 cells increases in response to MMC treatment at low doses, which might be one of the reasons for chemotherapeutic drug resistance.</p>
Subject(s)
Humans , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Metabolism , Cell Line, Tumor , Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic , Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins , Liver Neoplasms , Metabolism , Microtubule-Associated Proteins , Metabolism , Mitomycin , Pharmacology , RNA, Messenger , MetabolismABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effect of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) supplemented with arginine on cellular immune function of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after radical tumor resection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-six HCC patients undergoing radical surgery received fat-free TPN support, routine TPN or TPN with arginine supplementation, and their clinical data were analyzed prospectively. The percentages of T lymphocyte subpopulation and national killer (NK) cells in peripheral blood are determined, and the levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4 and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) were measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No marked changes were noted in peripheral blood CD4+, CD8+ T cells and NK cells, or in IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-gamma levels after fat-free TPN and routine TPN support. TPN supplemented with arginine resulted in significant increase in CD4+ T cells, NK cells and CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio in the peripheral blood, as well as in IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels. Peripheral blood IL-4 level was decreased significantly.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>TPN with arginine supplementation can augment the percentages of CD4+ T lymphocytes and NK cells, and increase IL-2 and IFN-gamma levels, suggesting that arginine can enhance cell-mediated immunity in postoperative patients with HCC.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Arginine , Pharmacology , Carcinoma, Hepatocellular , Allergy and Immunology , Metabolism , General Surgery , Therapeutics , Cytokines , Metabolism , Dietary Supplements , Immunity, Cellular , Liver Neoplasms , Allergy and Immunology , Metabolism , General Surgery , Therapeutics , Parenteral Nutrition , Methods , Postoperative Period , T-Lymphocyte Subsets , Allergy and ImmunologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and significance of caspase-1 in normal and hyperplastic prostate tissues.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-eight paraffin-embedded sections, including 21 benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and 7 normal prostate tissue samples, were investigated immunohistochemically for caspase-1.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The rate of caspase-1 expression in the BPH tissues was 71.4% (15/21 ) while that in the normal prostate tissues was 100%. The expression level of caspase-1 in both epithelial cells and interstitial cells of the hyperplastic prostate tissues was obviously lower than that of the normal prostate tissues (P < 0.01). Within the BPH tissues, the expression level of caspase-1 in the epithelial cells was higher than in the interstitial cells, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of caspase-1 is dramatically reduced in the hyperplastic prostate tissues, which indicates that the decline of caspase-1-dependent apoptosis might be involved in the progress of benign prostatic hyperplasia.</p>