Adaptation of an evaluation method of 5 alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 enzyme activities in prostate tissue

Objectives: We are proposing the adaptation of a method for the assessment of the activity of 5 alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 isoenzymes in human prostate tissue to be used in studies of the relationship of enzymatic activity and cancer. Material and Methods: We have been developing a method, based on Thomas et al., 2003 which consists of collecting human prostate samples and performing 5 alpha-reductase activity assessment. We are proposing a method based on samples obtained from prostate biopsies, according to a pilot study developed by Oliveira et al. 2006. We have obtained two samples of the same prostate area, and our idea is to send one of these samples for pathological examination and another for 5 alpha-reductase evaluation. Herein we have showed the feasibility of this assay. Through a thin layer chromatography with 14C-testosterone and NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) cofactor, we have obtained radioactive spots which were detected by autoradiography. The areas associated with testosterone and its metabolite DHT (dihydrotestosterone) were scrapped and counted with a scintillation chamber. Results: We believe that it is possible to demonstrate the activity of 5 alpha-reductase through the adaptation of this biochemistry method. Conclusions: This method is feasible and can be utilized to assess 5 alpha-reductase type 1 and type 2 activity in prostate tissue samples.

Efeito da leucocitospermia na análise do sêmen / Effect of polymorphonuclear leucocites on semen analisys

A infertilidade conjugal é um problema que afeta muitos casais e há diversos procedimentos clínicos e laboratoriais para investigar sua etiologia. O exame do sêmen é um procedimento comumente adotado nesta investigação, pois sua análise contribui significativamente para avaliar o fator masculino. Este estudo visou verificar o efeito dos leucócitos em parâmetros rotineiramente analisados no espermograma, que incluiem a concentração, motilidade e morfologia dos espermatozóides. Os polimorfonucleares (PMN) foram marcados pela técnica de peroxidase, e as 90 amostras de sêmen de homens submetidos à triagem de infertilidade foram divididas em dois grupos, de acordo com a concentração de leucócitos: as de pacientes leucocitospérmicos (concentração superior a 1x10 6/ml de sêmen). Observou-se um aumento da concentração de espermatozóides com a presença de leucócitos e o percentual de espermatozóides móveis/imóveis e anormais não foi alterado. De maneira geral, a leucocitospermia não altera a qualidade do sêmen.