Association of androgen and estrogen receptor expression with prostate volume in benign prostatic hyperplasia

ABSTRACT

Background: The expression of androgen (AR) and estrogen receptors (ER-A, ER-B) in Prostate cancer is well documented, but there are limited data about the same in patients with BPH. Hence the present study was designed to analyse the gene and protein expression of androgen and estrogen receptors in patients with BPH. Materials and Methods: Prostatic tissues were obtained from 27 BPH patients aged between 55 to 85 years by transurethral resection of prostate. Based on prostate volume, BPH patients were divided into two groups, Group A (?30mL) and Group B (>30mL). The mRNA and protein expression of AR, ER-A and B were assessed by Quantitative real time PCR, Western blotting and Immunohistochemistry. Results: AR gene (P < 0.05) and protein expression (P = 0.03) and ER-A gene (P < 0.05) and protein expression (P = 0.02) was significantly higher in BPH patients with larger prostate size compared to smaller prostate size. Immunohistochemistry showed that AR expression was predominate in ductal cells of larger volume prostate tissues while AR expression in stromal tissue was the dominant finding in patients with smaller prostate size. Also serum estradiol was significantly increased in patients with larger prostate size (P = 0.03). Conclusion: Androgen and Estrogen receptor expression increases with increase in prostate volume in BPH cases.