Expression of Eag1 K(+) channel in prostate cancer and its significance / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of the Eag1 K( +) channel in the prostate cancer (PCa) tissue, its correlation with the development and progression of PCa, and whether it could be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of the Eag1 K(+) channel in the normal peritumoral tissue of androgen-dependent PCa (ADPCa) (group A) and androgen-independent PCa (AIPCa) (group B) as well as in the tumorous tissue of ADPCa (group C) and AIPCa (group D).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The relative coefficients of the mRNA expression of the Eag1 K(+) channel were 0.265 +/- 0.413, 0.167 +/- 0.511, 2.673 +/- 2.988 and 2.815 +/- 2.901 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively, increased significantly in the latter two groups (P < 0.05). The positive rates of the protein expression of the Eag1 K (+) channel were significantly higher in groups C (88.9%) and D (86.7%) than in A (7.4%) and B (6.7%) (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The Eag1 K(+) channel might be involved in the pathophysiological processes of PCa, and is expected to be a valuable target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.</p>

Experimental varicocele affects the ipsilateral testis in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the impact of experimental varicocele (EV) on the ipsilateral testis in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>EV was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in male SD rats, the control rats subjected to sham operation, and the testes of the EV models and controls were extirpated 6, 12, and 18 weeks later. Johnson's score, ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules, intratesticular testosterone concentration (ITC) and germ cell apoptotic index (AI) of each left testis were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Johnson's scores were (6.92 +/- 0.52), (4.83 +/- 0.41) and (2.95 +/- 0.26), ITCswere (6.32 +/- 0.85), (5.17 +/- 0.76) and (4.11 +/- 0.69) and AIs were (5.32 +/- 1.23), (15.21 +/- 0.97) and (21.13 +/- 1.12) respectively in the 6 w , 12 w and 18 w EV groups, significantly lower than in the corresponding control groups, (9.56 +/- 0.35, 9.63 +/- 0.31, 9.39 +/- 0.46), (9.64 +/- 1.23, 9.38 +/- 0.69, 9.73 +/- 0.49) and (3.21 +/- 1.15, 3.43 +/- 1.21, 3.61 +/- 1. 15) (P < 0.05), the former two showing a gradual decline while the latter a significant elevation with the increasing duration of varicocele. The damage to the ultrastructure of seminiferous tubules was aggravated with the prolonging of varicocele.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EV can cause a progressive decline of ITC, dyszoospermia and increased AI of germ cells.</p>