Characterization of transforming growth factor beta superfamily, growth factors, transcriptional factors, and lipopolysaccharide in bovine cystic ovarian follicles.

The process of transformation of growing bovine follicles into cysts is still a mystery. Local expression of proteins or factors, including transforming growth factor ß, growth factors, and transcription factors, plays a central role in mammals. Therefore, in abattoir-derived cystic ovarian follicles and follicular fluid, the role of some transforming growth factor ß superfamily proteins, insulinlike growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and GATA-4 and GATA-6, were investigated. The relationship between intrafollicular lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and etiopathogenesis of ovarian cysts was also assessed. Data on the preovulatory follicle and the largest follicle (F1) were compared. The number of intrafollicular LPS-positive samples and LPS concentrations were higher in cysts. Immunohistochemical staining was mildly positive for IGF-1, inhibin alpha, and GATA-4 in thecal cells. Staining for anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), growth differentiation factor-9, bone morphogenetic protein-6 (BMP-6), and GATA-6 was insufficient for their quantitation, and oocytes could not be stained for any of the proteins tested in the cystic follicles. Expression of BMP-6, inhibin alpha, and IGF-1 was moderately higher in granulosa cells of F1 follicles, and all the proteins were moderately expressed in granulosa cells in preovulatory follicles. However, loss of GATA-6 staining was significant in F1 follicles. Intrafollicular progesterone, IGF-1, and AMH concentrations in cysts and F1 follicles were significantly higher than those in preovulatory follicles. Western blot analyses revealed that follicular fluid inhibin-α was strongly expressed, whereas expression of growth differentiation factor-9, BMP-6, GATA-4 and GATA-6 was lower in cysts than in preovulatory follicles. Also, high intrafollicular AMH concentration and low BMP-6 expression were closely associated with cystic degeneration and atresia. In conclusion, immunohistochemical loss of BMP-6 and GATA-6 in the granulosa cells together with high intrafollicular LPS levels may play important roles in disruption of the ovulatory mechanism and steroidogenic reactions in type 2 cyst. Also, high intrafollicular AMH concentration along with low BMP-6 expression may be used as indicators of the bovine degenarative ovarian follicles.

The effects of lipopolysaccharide-induced endogenous hyperthermia and different antipyretic treatment modalities on rat brain.

BACKGROUND: In the present study, the effects of fever and hyperthermia, and different anti hyperthermia treatment modalities on the brain by was investigated by using experimental animal model MATERIALS AND METHODS: Endogenous hyperthermia (41 degrees C) was induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection, and the signs of probable neuronal damage were evaluated by healthy, necrotic and apoptotic cells, and heat-shock proteins (HSP 27 and HSP 70) in cerebral cortex, cerebellum and hypothalamus. The animals were treated with widely used treatment modalities for high fever in pediatric practice, namely hypothermia, dexamethasone, paracetamol and diclofenac, and their effect on the hyperthermia-induced brain changes were evaluated. RESULTS: Generalized seizure was observed in fifteen rats of which rectal temperature achieved 41 degrees C (15/36, 41%); five of them died on second day (5/15, 33%). LPS-induced endogenous hyperthermia; (i) caused significant increase of necrotic cells in cerebral cortex and cerebellum and apoptotic cells in all three regions (p < 0.05), (ii) caused significant decrease of healthy cells in cerebral cortex (p < 0.05), and (iii) no significant change of HSP 27 and 70 in all three neuronal locations (p > 0.05). For the treatment modalities applied; (i) paracetamol had an effect of increasing the healthy cell count in cerebral cortex and hypothalamus and decreasing the necrotic cell count in cerebellum and hypothalamus (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The neuronal tissue in different regions of brain can show various degrees of damage in response to endogenous hyperthermia and the applied medications have varying degree of protection (Tab. 3, Fig. 6, Ref. 44).

Contribution of cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid to hypertension and end-organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats treated with L-NAME.

1 The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of inhibition of the formation of cytochrome P450 metabolites of arachidonic acid with 1-aminobenzotriazole (ABT) on the development of hypertension and end-organ damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) chronically treated with nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor L-NAME (SHR-L-NAME). 2 Administration of L-NAME in drinking water (80 mg l(-1)) to SHR for 3 weeks significantly elevated mean arterial blood pressure (MABP) (223 +/- 4 mmHg) as compared to SHR controls drinking regular water (165 +/- 3 mmHg). The administration of ABT (50 mg kg(-1) i.p. alt diem) for 6 days significantly attenuated elevation of blood pressure in SHR-L-NAME (204 +/- 4 mmHg). 3 L-NAME-induced increase in urine volume and protein was significantly lower in ABT-treated animals. 4 The impaired vascular responsiveness to noradrenaline and isoprenaline in the perfused mesenteric vascular bed of SHR-L-NAME-treated animals was significantly improved by ABT treatment. 5 Morphological studies of the kidneys and hearts showed that treatment with ABT minimized the extensive arterial fibrinoid necrosis, arterial thrombosis, significant narrowing of arterial lumen with marked arterial hyperplastic arterial changes that were observed in vehicle treated SHR-L-NAME. 6 In isolated perfused hearts, recovery of left ventricular function from 40 min of global ischaemia was significantly better in ABT-treated SHR-L-NAME. 7 These results suggest that in hypertensive individuals with endothelial dysfunction and chronic NO deficiency, inhibitors of 20-HETE synthesis may be able to attenuate development of high blood pressure and end-organ damage.

Antioxidant status & lipid peroxidation in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a debilitating, chronic multisystem disease with an unknown etiology. Recent findings indicate that increased oxidative stress and/or defective antioxidant status contribute to the etiology of RA. The present study was undertaken to examine the oxidant and antioxidant systems in patients with RA and healthy controls. METHODS: Twenty two patients with RA and 20 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant vitamins (A, E, C) in serum samples were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Spectrophotometric methods were used to determine activity levels of antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), in erythrocytes. RESULTS: MDA levels in patients with RA were found to be significantly (P<0.005) higher than controls whereas levels of vitamins A, E, C and activities of GSH-Px, SOD were lower in the patients compared to controls (P<0.005 for SOD and antioxidant vitamins; P<0.05 for GSH-Px). INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: There was an increased oxidative stress and a low antioxidant status in patients with RA. These changes are probably due to efforts for reducing lipid peroxidation and hence to lower tissue damage.

Effect of melatonin on oxidative status of rat brain, liver and kidney tissues under constant light exposure.

An enormous amount of data has been published in recent years demonstrating melatonin's defensive role against toxic free radicals. In the present study, we examined the role of melatonin as an antioxidant against the effect of continuous light exposure. Rats were divided into three groups. Control rats (group A) were kept under natural conditions whereas other group of rats (group B and C) were exposed to constant light for inhibition of melatonin secretion by the pineal gland. Group C rats also received melatonin via s.c. injection (1 mg x kg(- 1) body weight x day(- 1)). At the end of experiment, all animals were sacrificied by decapitation, serum and tissue samples were removed for determination of malondialdehyde (MDA), a product of lipid peroxidation, conjugated dienes levels and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity levels. It was found that lipid peroxidation was increased in the rats which were exposed to constant light. Melatonin injection caused a decrease in lipid peroxidation, especially in the brain. In addition, melatonin application resulted in increased GSH-Px activity, which has an antioxidant effect. Thus, melatonin is not only a direct scavenger of toxic radicals, but also stimulates the antioxidative enzyme GSH-Px activity to detoxify hydroxyl radical produced by constant light exposure.

Toxicity of dietary Heliotropium dolosum seed to broiler chickens.

Five groups of 20 female broiler chicks were fed different levels of dehulled Heliotropium dolosum seed (w/w%; 0.0, 1.0, 3.0, 5.0 or 10.0%) from 10 to 52 d of age. In all doses the seed caused decreases in daily feed intake, weight gain, and feed efficiency, and biochemical findings, severity of pathologic changes, and mortality rate increased in a dose-dependent manner. Acute toxicity was observed in livers of chicks fed 10% seed. Other test groups had chronic changes. Livers had massive to submassive necrosis, hepatic megalocytosis, bile duct proliferation, fatty change, and periportal fibrosis. Biochemical evaluations revealed hypoalbuminemia, hypoprotienemia and increased ALP activity and billuribin. The seed of Heliotropium dolosum produced biochemical and specific pathologic changes in broiler chicks, as well as decreased food intake and feed efficiency. Higher seed levels induced more pronounced changes.

Effects of pinealectomy on the circadian release pattern of leptin in male rat.

OBJECTIVES: Exogenous and endogenous melatonin decrease leptin release. It is not known whether melatonin also has an effect on circadian release pattern of leptin. So, this study was planned to investigate the possible changes in the circadian release of leptin following pinealectomy. METHODS: A group of rats were surgically pinealectomized while some others were exposed to sham operation. The animals were decapitated at 13.30 p.m. and 01.30 a.m. Serum leptin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Serum leptin levels at 13.30 p.m. were lower than the values at 01.30 a.m. in both pinealectomized (P<0.002) and sham rats P<0.001). Serum leptin levels measured at 13.30 p.m. and 01.30 a.m. were significantly elevated (P<0.05 and P<0.01, respectively) in the pinealectomized rats in comparison to sham animals. CONCLUSION: The circadian release of leptin does not seem to be regulated by melatonin release from the pineal gland whereas melatonin, physiologically released, may have a decreasing effect on leptin release.

Molecular cloning and sequence analysis of canine acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein P0 cDNA.

Acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein P0 has been widely used as an estradiol-independent housekeeping gene. Expression of acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein P0 in canine prostate was detected and canine specific cDNA was cloned. Total cellular RNA was isolated from normal young (5 month-old) canine prostate tissue. Total cDNAs were synthesized from total cellular RNAs by reverse transcription assay. Primers used in polymerase chain reaction were designed from published human ARP0 cDNA sequences and utilized to amplify 562 base-pair (bp) canine acidic ribosomal phosphoprotein P0 cDNA. Nucleotide sequences of canine ARP0 cDNA clones were determined on both strands. Canine ARP0 cDNA and their deduced amino acid sequences share very high homology to ARP0 orthologs from other vertebrate species including human, mouse, rat, chicken, and bovine.

Protective effect of melatonin on antioxidative system in experimental ischemia-reperfusion of rat small intestine.

AIMS: Effect of exogenously administered melatonin (N-acetyl 5-methoxytryptamine) on antioxidant systems in experimental Ischemia-Reperfusion (I-R) of rat gastrointestinal system (GIS) was examined. METHODS: A total of 40 rats were divided into 4 groups: Group 1 (Sham), Group 2 (I-R), Group 3 (I-R + 10 mg/kg melatonin) and Group 4 (I-R + 20 mg/kg melatonin). Activity levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) were determined in small intestines. RESULTS: There was a significant (p<0.05) reduction in GSH-Px levels in Group 2 (64.16+/-7.02 U/mg protein) compared to Group 1 (80.15+/-9.32 U/mg protein). We observed a meaningful increase in GSH-Px levels in melatonin applied groups (Group 3: 75.94+/-9.83 U/mg protein, Group 4: 78.55+/-9.11 U/mg protein) compared to Group 2. Correspondingly, SOD activity levels were significantly reduced (p<0.001) in Group 2 (24.14+/-4.35 U/mg protein) compared to controls (52.91+/-6.13 U/mg protein). A stronger effect (p<0.001) of melatonin was observed on SOD levels compared to GSH-Px levels in both doses (Group 3: 38.96+/-6.39 U/mg protein, Group 4: 43.07+/-7.76 U/mg protein). Levels of selenium were reduced significantly in Group 2 (1.11+/-0.31 microg/g tissue) compared to Group 1 (2.01+/-0.19 microg/g tissue). Melatonin application in Group 3 (1.13+/-0.28 microg/g tissue) and Group 4 (1.89+/-0.48 microg/g tissue) caused an increase in selenium levels. There was a strong correlation between increases in selenium and GSH-Px levels in Group 4 (r:0.651 p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Melatonin seems to exert its antioxidant effect in GIS tract by stimulating SOD and GSH-Px. Selenium also seems to have an antioxidant contribution on protecting rat gastrointestinal tract I-R injury.

Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity levels in insulin-independent diabetes mellitus and effect of ACE levels on diabetic patients with nephropathy.

Involvement of complications is considered to be one of the major factors in the prognosis of diabetes mellitus (DM). Recent studies indicate that most diabetic complications such as nephropathy and hypertension are vascular-originated. Renin-angiotensin involvement, especially changes in ACE activity level, is considered to be a key factor since ACE converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II which is a potent vasoconstrictor and plays a vital role in the regulation of blood pressure. Our present study focused on ACE activity levels along with blood glucose and HbA(1c) levels in diabetic patients with (n=18) or without (n=25) nephropathy as compared to control subjects (n=25). Blood glucose levels were significantly higher in both diabetic groups compared to controls (p<0.001). On the other hand, compared to controls, blood HbA(1c) levels were slightly higher in DM patients without complications whereas they were significantly increased in nephropatic DM patients (p<0.001). There was a very strong increase (p<0.001) at the level of ACE activity in both of the diabetic groups (with nephropathy: 47.11+/-3.70 U l(-1); without complications: 43.72+/-2.93 U l(-1); controls: 25.15+/-2.30 U l(-1)). ACE activity levels were also significantly higher in diabetic patients with nephropathy than in type II DM patients without complication (p<0.01). Our results demonstrate that ACE activity levels are increased in diabetic patients. Additional significant increase in ACE activity levels in diabetic patients with complications such as nephropathy supports the hypothesis that ACE activity has an essential role in the development of complications in diabetes.

Effect of thinner inhalation on lipid peroxidation and some antioxidant enzymes of people working with paint thinner.

Paint thinner is a commonly used industrial solvent with considerable potential for abuse by inhalation. Paint thinner is taken into the body by inhalation or by contact with the skin. Paint thinner is oxidized gradually by cytochrome P450-dependent monooxygenase and consequently free radicals are produced. In the present study we measured plasma malondialdehyde (MDA, a product of lipid peroxidation) levels as an indicator of oxidative damage and activity levels of antioxidant enzymes gluthatione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes of a group of people (n = 18) working with paint thinner. The control group was composed of 18 healthy adults. There was a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in MDA (2.0+/-0.7 nmol ml(-1)) and GSH-Px (86.5+/-16.6 U g(-1) Hb) activity levels in people working with paint thinner compared with control subjects (MDA: 1.0+/-0.3 nmol ml(-1); GSH-Px: 53.9+/-14.5 U g(-1) Hb). Similarly, there was also an increase (p < 0.05) in the SOD levels (1079+/-214.6 U g(-1) Hb) of people working with paint thinner compared with controls (953.3+/-46.7 U g(-1) Hb). Based on our results, it can be concluded that paint thinner inhalation may increase lipid peroxidation and consequently induce antioxidant enzymes.

Increased oxidative stress in dilated cardiomyopathic heart failure.

In the present study, we assessed oxidative stress in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy of ischemic or idiopathic etiology. For this reason we measured whole blood reduced glutathione, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, susceptibility of erythrocyte membranes and erythrocytes to peroxidation, and SH content of erythrocyte membranes in 12 patients (8 men and 4 women, ages 31 to 66 years) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, in 11 patients (8 men and 3 women, ages 32 to 65 years) with ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy, and in 21 healthy volunteers (12 men and 9 women, ages 25 to 67 years). There was no statistically significant difference between the two patient groups for the indicators studied (P >0.05). Blood glutathione, erythrocyte superoxide dismutase, and membrane SH content of both groups of patients was decreased compared with controls (P <0.05), whereas erythrocyte and membrane susceptibility to peroxidation were increased (P <0.05). We conclude that patients with idiopathic or ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy exhibit abnormalities of a range of markers of increased oxidative stress. These abnormalities may contribute to contractile dysfunction, increased incidence of fatal arrhythmias, and sudden death.

Gossypol arrests human benign prostatic hyperplastic cell growth at G0/G1 phase of the cell cycle.

Recently we demonstrated that gossypol (GP), a male antifertility agent, is a potent inhibitor of malignant human prostate cancer cell growth that acts by arresting cells in G0/G1 phase and that this inhibitory effect may be mediated by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1). In this study we examined the effect of GP on the growth of prostatic cells from human benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients in vitro. Consistent with its inhibitory effect on the growth of malignant human prostate cancer cells, GP also acts as a potent inhibitor of cultured human BPH cell growth as assessed by thymidine incorporation assay. These results were confirmed by flow cytometric analysis which revealed that treatment of human BPH cells with increasing concentrations of GP resulted in a dose-dependent accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase with a concomitant decrease in cells progressing to the S and G2/M phases. Since inhibition of prostate cancer cells by GP appears to be mediated by TGF-beta 1, we also investigated the effect of GP on TGF-beta 1 gene expression in BPH cells. The results show that GP treatment resulted in a marked elevation of TGF-beta 1 gene expression indicating that TGF-beta 1 might be involved at least in part in the inhibitory pathway that is initiated by GP.

Gossypol induces spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase in canine prostate epithelial cells.

Gossypol is an antisteroidogenic compound naturally found in cottonseed. Gossypol has been shown to inhibit steroidogenesis in the canine prostate and may inhibit canine prostate growth. Its mechanism of action, however, is largely unknown. Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that in vivo administration of gossypol to male dogs can reduce circulating levels of testosterone and estradiol. Gossypol also showed an ability to reduce prostate weights. To search for genes regulated by gossypol in the canine prostate, differential display RT-PCR was performed on total RNAs isolated from control and gossypol-treated male dogs. Gossypol was demonstrated to induce expression of spermidine/spermine-N1-acetyl-transferase (SSAT), the major catabolic enzyme for polyamines. This induction was confirmed by Northern hybridization analysis of total RNA isolated from prostates of mature dogs treated with gossypol for 2 months. Gossypol was also shown to inhibit the progression of cells into the S phase mediated by spermidine. Our findings support the notion that gossypol can inhibit prostate cell proliferation and may be a potential therapeutic agent for use in controlling overgrowth of the prostate.

Differential effect of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) on aromatase activity in cultured canine prostatic epithelial cells.

We have recently cloned the mRNA encoding KGF from canine prostate and produced recombinant canine KGF (rcKGF) which specifically acts on cultured canine prostatic epithelial cells (CCPECs) which possess KGF receptors (Canatan et al., 1996; DNA Cell Biol. 15:247). In the present study, the effect of rcKGF on aromatase activity in CCPECs from young (6-month-old) and mature (3-year-old) dogs was examined. Release of 3H2O from labeled substrate was used as the indicator of aromatase activity. CCPECs were pulsed with [1-beta-3H]-androstenedione (1 microCi/ml, 6 hr). The amounts of 3H2O released into culture medium were measured (dpm) and total cellular proteins were determined. Aromatase activity was expressed as 3H2O dpm/mg cellular protein (mean +/- SEM). The basal level of aromatase activity in CCPECs from mature dogs was approximately 4 times higher (p < 0.05) than that in cells from young dogs. Aromatase activity in CCPECs from mature dogs increased in a dose-dependent manner upon treatment with rcKGF. Interestingly, rcKGF, at any of the concentrations tested, had no significant effect on aromatase activity in CCPECs from young dogs. These results are the first to indicate that aromatase activity is affected by KGF in mature CCPECs, suggesting that KGF may be involved indirectly in the etiology of benign prostatic hyperplasia by increasing aromatase activity and thus increasing aromatization of androgens. Aromatase induction by KGF may explain, at least in part, the increased aromatization of androgens observed in aged dogs. The exact mechanism of how KGF induces aromatase activity in CCPECs is needed to be addressed further.

Inhibition of human prostate cancer cells growth by gossypol is associated with stimulation of transforming growth factor-beta.

Gossypol (GP), an antifertility agent in males, is also capable of inhibiting the proliferation of a wide range of cancer cells in vivo and in vitro. Thus, in this study we investigated the effect of GP on the growth of human androgen-independent prostate cancer cell line (PC3). The results showed that GP acts as a potent inhibitor of PC3 cells as determined by thymidine incorporation assay and flow cytometric analysis. Flow cytometry revealed that treatment of PC3 cells with GP resulted in a dose- and time-dependent accumulation of cells in the GO/GI phase with a concomitant decrease in cells progressing to the S and G2/M phase. These data support our thymidine incorporation results which indicated that GP is a potent inhibitor of PC3 cells. By ribonuclease protection assay, we also investigated the effect of GP on transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) gene expression in PC3 cells. Interestingly, the stimulatory effect of GP on TGF-beta 1 gene expression correlates well with its inhibitory effect on PC3 cell DNA synthesis and its ability to arrest cells in GO/G1 phase. Based on these data, it can be concluded that GP is a potent inhibitor of prostate cancer cell growth that acts by arresting cells in GO/G1 phase and that this inhibitory effect may be mediated by TGF-beta 1.

Experimentally-induced prostatic hyperplasia in young beagles: a model to evaluate the chemotherapeutic effects of gossypol.

This study investigated the effect of gossypol on hyperplastic canine prostates induced with long-term administration of androgen and estrogen. Twelve 16-week-old male beagle dogs were divided evenly (n = 3) into 4 treatment groups: (1) CONTROL: vehicle only; (2) Gossypol-Treated: 20 mg/kg gossypol acetic acid; (3) Steroid-Induced: 4 mg/kg testosterone and 40 micrograms/kg estradiol-17 beta; (4) Gossypol-Treated and Steroid-Induced: 4 mg/kg testosterone, 40 micrograms/kg estradiol-17 beta and 20 mg/kg gossypol. The subjects received treatments every other day for 1 month. The beagles treated with steroids developed an acute enlargement (approximately 10-fold) of the prostate as compared to control. The prostatic acini were underdeveloped and characterized by simple squamous to low cuboidal epithelium in the control subjects while acini in steroid-induced subjects were characterized by simple tall columnar epithelium. The subjects treated with gossypol had prostates histologically similar to controls with the exception of loosened periurethral connective tissue. Serum testosterone and estradiol-17 beta levels imply that gossypol can reduce steroid hormonal levels. Mean serum testosterone levels in gossypol-treated subjects were reduced approximately 50% from controls. Serum biochemistry profiles indicate that steroid and/or gossypol treatments were not toxic at the doses and duration used in this study. These observations imply that gossypol and steroid hormones can interact to alter prostate development and gossypol metabolism and/or clearance.

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF/FGF-7) has a paracrine role in canine prostate: molecular cloning of mRNA encoding canine KGF.

cDNA encoding the canine keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) was cloned from normal canine prostate tissue. The authentic canine KGF cDNA sequence, 686 bp in length, spans the protein-coding region and 88 bp of the 5' and 19 bp of the 3' untranslated regions of canine KGF. The predicted amino acid sequence of canine KGF is composed of 194 amino acid residues. Canine KGF exhibits highest homology with the human KGF cDNA and amino acid sequences (95.8% and 97.4%, respectively), while it demonstrates the lowest homology with the rat sequences at 88.0% and 92.3%, respectively. The degrees of homology with mouse cDNA and amino acid sequences are 91.8% and 95.9%, respectively. By using RNase protection assay, KGF was shown to be expressed in normal prostate tissues of both mature and young (5-month-old) dogs. In vitro, the recombinant canine KGF has mitogenic activity on cultured canine epithelial cells, whereas it has no effect on cultured canine prostatic stromal cells. This novel canine KGF cDNA may be a valuable tool in the study of human benign prostatic hyperplasia using the canine prostatic as a model.

Detection of keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) messenger ribonucleic acid and immunolocalization of KGF in the canine testis.

Keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) was originally discovered in human embryonic lung fibroblasts and is a member of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family. Members of the FGF family have been shown to regulate testicular function. However, the recently discovered KGF has not been studied in the testis. KGF has been detected in many other tissues, including the prostate, an organ whose development and function have been associated with presence of the testis. In this study, KGF mRNA was detected in the whole testis using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The 575-bp KGF-specific product was detected along with a 594-bp ß-actin-specific product. To identify the cell types in which KGF mRNA was predominantly expressed, interstitial cells were physically separated from seminiferous tubules. The interstitial cells were then sorted on a discontinuous Percoll gradient and total cellular mRNAs isolated. Using RT-PCR and Southern hybridization with specific cDNA probes, the KGF mRNA was detected in interstitial cells. KGF expression levels were then evaluated semiquantitatively with a competitive RT-PCR assay. KGF expression levels were highest in interstitial cells that equilibrated between 20 and 30% Percoll. Enriched Leydig cells and seminiferous tubules expressed low levels of KGF. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis was performed on canine testes using a rabbit anti-KGF polyclonal antibody. The KGF protein was localized predominantly to peritubular cells of the canine testis. These results suggest that KGF is synthesized in the canine testis.