Disposable circumcision suture device: clinical effect and patient satisfaction.

In our experience patients undergoing circumcision are mostly concerned about pain and penile appearances. We conducted a prospective randomized trial to assess the benefits of a new disposable circumcision suture device (DCSD). A total of 942 patients were equally divided into three groups (conventional circumcision, Shang ring and disposable suture device group). Patients in the DCSD group were anesthetized with compound 5% lidocaine cream, the others with a 2% lidocaine penile block. Operation time, intra-operative blood loss, incision healing time, intra-operative and post-operative pain, the penile appearance and overall satisfaction degree were measured. Operation time and intra-operative blood loss were significantly lower in the Shang ring and suture device groups compared to the conventional group (P < 0.001). Intra-operative pain was less in the suture device group compared with the other two groups (P < 0.001); whereas post-operative pain was higher in the conventional group compared to the other two groups (P < 0.001). Patients in the suture device (80.57%) and Shang ring (73.57%) groups were more satisfied with penile appearances compared with the conventional circumcision group (20.06%, P < 0.05). Patients in suture device group also healed markedly faster than the conventional group (P < 0.01). The overall satisfaction rate was better in the suture device group (78.66%) compared with the conventional (47.13%) and Shang ring (50.00%) groups (P < 0.05). The combination of DCSD and lidocaine cream resulted in shorter operation and incision healing times, reduced intra-operative and post-operative pain and improved patient satisfaction with the cosmetic appearances.

Effect of the duration of bladder overdistention on renal function and morphology in rats.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the duration of bladder overdistention (DOBO) on kidney structure and function in rats. Bladder overdistention was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats by an infusion of saline. Forty rats were divided into five groups: DOBO 1, 2, 4 or 8 h groups and the control. Renal function was evaluated using serum creatinine (SCr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Apoptotic indices and morphologic changes of the kidney were detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Compared with the control, rats undergoing 2, 4 or 8 h of overdistention showed significant, time-dependent increases in SCr (12.375 vs. 23.125, 34.375 and 51.500 µmol/l, respectively), BUN (6.980 vs. 18.689, 25.184 and 32.079 mmol/l, respectively), renal size (1.041 vs. 1.472, 1.484 and 1.634 cm3, respectively) and renal pelvis separation (0.000 vs. 0.223, 0.320, 0.308 and 0.277 cm, respectively; P<0.01). In the rats, 2, 4 and 8 h of overdistention elicited time-dependent increases in the blood flow rate in the main renal artery (MRA; 44.827 vs. 49.082, 59.688 and 67.123 cm3/sec, control vs. DOBO 2, 4 and 8 h), the interlobar renal artery (IRA; 32.095 vs. 39.16 and 51.745 cm3/sec, control vs. DOBO 4 and 8 h) and the segmental renal artery (SRA; 21.171 vs. 24.355 and 25.358 cm3/sec, control vs. DOBO 4 and 8 h; P<0.01). TUNEL results showed that prolonged overdistention increased the apoptotic index of renal cells significantly (1.15, 1.77, 3.40, 5.34 and 13.91% for control and DOBO 1, 2, 4 and 8 h, respectively; P<0.01) and TEM indicated that prolonged overdistention resulted in ultrastructural injuries of increased severity. DOBO plays a significant role in the functional and structural impairment of the rat kidney. With increasing duration, the hemodynamic changes, cell apoptosis and ultrastructural injuries of the kidney are more evident, all of which may contribute to the increasingly serious impairment of renal function and morphology.

Ureteral obstruction and urinary fistula due to fibrin glue after partial nephrectomy: A case report and review of the literature.

In the present study, we report the case of a 69-year-old female who developed urinary leakage following partial nephrectomy (PN) to remove left renal masses. The results of CT and MR urography revealed left proximal ureteral obstruction and urinary fistula. Reoperation was performed on the 16th postoperative day to explore the left kidney and ureter in order to relieve the obstruction. The left proximal ureter was found to be enfolded by fibrin glue and showed marked stiffness and adhesion during the reoperation. The lesion of the ureter was resected and the ureter was anastomosed with the routine double-J stent. Pathological examination of surgical specimens revealed fat fibrous scar tissue hyperplasia with inflammatory cell infiltration. The patient recovered completely without exudate. Our experience suggests that care should be taken to avoid touching the ureter with fibrin glue during PN surgery.

Effect of different durations of overdistention on rat bladder function and morphology

We investigated the contribution of the duration of overdistention (DOD) to rat bladder function and morphology and explored its possible molecular mechanisms. Bladder overdistention was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) by an infusion of saline. Forty rats were divided into 5 groups submitted to different DOD, i.e., 1, 2, 4, and 8 h, and control. Bladder function was evaluated by cystometry. Morphological changes were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy. Compared to control (44.567 ± 3.472 cmH2O), the maximum detrusor pressure of groups with 2-, 4- and 8-h DOD decreased significantly (means ± SEM): 32.774 ± 3.726, 31.321 ± 2.847, and 29.238 ± 3.724 cmH2O. With the increase of DOD, inflammatory infiltration and impairment of ultrastructure were more obvious in bladder tissue. Compared to control (1.90 ± 0.77), the apoptotic indexes of groups with 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-h DOD increased significantly (6.47 ± 2.10, 10.66 ± 1.97, 13.91 ± 2.69, and 18.33 ± 3.28%). Compared to control (0.147 ± 0.031/0.234 ± 0.038 caspase 3/β-actin and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios), both caspase 3/β-actin and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios of 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-h DOD increased significantly (0.292 ± 0.037/0.508 ± 0.174, 0.723 ± 0.173/1.745 ± 0.471, 1.104 ± 0.245/4.000 ± 1.048, and 1.345 ± 0.409/8.398 ± 3.332). DOD plays an important role in impairment of vesical function and structure. With DOD, pro-apoptotic factors increase and anti-apoptotic factors decrease, possibly contributing to the functional deterioration and morphological changes of the bladder.

Effect of different durations of overdistention on rat bladder function and morphology.

We investigated the contribution of the duration of overdistention (DOD) to rat bladder function and morphology and explored its possible molecular mechanisms. Bladder overdistention was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rats (200-250 g) by an infusion of saline. Forty rats were divided into 5 groups submitted to different DOD, i.e., 1, 2, 4, and 8 h, and control. Bladder function was evaluated by cystometry. Morphological changes were observed by light and transmission electron microscopy. Compared to control (44.567 ± 3.472 cmH2O), the maximum detrusor pressure of groups with 2-, 4- and 8-h DOD decreased significantly (means ± SEM): 32.774 ± 3.726, 31.321 ± 2.847, and 29.238 ± 3.724 cmH2O. With the increase of DOD, inflammatory infiltration and impairment of ultrastructure were more obvious in bladder tissue. Compared to control (1.90 ± 0.77), the apoptotic indexes of groups with 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-h DOD increased significantly (6.47 ± 2.10, 10.66 ± 1.97, 13.91 ± 2.69, and 18.33 ± 3.28%). Compared to control (0.147 ± 0.031/0.234 ± 0.038 caspase 3/ß-actin and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios), both caspase 3/ß-actin and Bax/Bcl-2 ratios of 1-, 2-, 4-, and 8-h DOD increased significantly (0.292 ± 0.037/0.508 ± 0.174, 0.723 ± 0.173/1.745 ± 0.471, 1.104 ± 0.245/4.000 ± 1.048, and 1.345 ± 0.409/8.398 ± 3.332). DOD plays an important role in impairment of vesical function and structure. With DOD, pro-apoptotic factors increase and anti-apoptotic factors decrease, possibly contributing to the functional deterioration and morphological changes of the bladder.

Inhibition of Bcl-2 enhances the efficacy of epirubicin chemotherapy in PC-3 prostate cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of Bcl-2 protein in cancer cells can inhibit programmed cell death and engender chemoresistance. Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide (G3139) has shown its antitumor effects enhanced in preclinical models when combined with taxol-based chemotherapy. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of G3139 combined with epirubicin in the androgen-independent prostate cancer. METHODS: PC3 prostate cancer cell line was cultured and treated with epirubicin and Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide alone or in combination. The effects of therapeutic agents on cells were determined by the MTT assay. Expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was documented by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Apoptosis induction was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis. RESULTS: Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide alone produced no cytotoxic effects and the combination of Bcl-2 antisense oligonucleotide with epirubicin sensitized PC-3 cells to the killing effects of chemotherapy. A marked down-regulation of Bcl-2 mRNA and protein was observed after antisense and epirubicin cotreatment. A statistically significantly higher fraction of apoptotic cells was detected by flow-cytometric analysis after epirubicin treatment with prior antisense Bcl-2 transfenction, as compared with mono antisense Bcl-2 or epirubicin treatment. CONCLUSION: These data suggested that inhibition of Bcl-2 expression combined with epirubicin may be an attractive therapeutic strategy in hormone-refractory prostate cancer.

Transgelin induces apoptosis of human prostate LNCaP cells through its interaction with p53.

The androgen receptor (AR) and its coregulators have important roles in the carcinogenesis of prostate cancer. p53 is an important tumour suppressor gene, and the absence of a fundamental p53 response may predispose to cancer. Transgelin, known as an ARA54-associated AR inhibitor, can suppress AR function in LNCaP cells. In addition to these effects, we aimed to elucidate the proapoptotic effects of the protein on LNCaP and its underlying mechanisms, especially the interaction between transgelin and p53. Cell counting, flow cytometric analysis and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-dUTP nick-end labelling assays were applied to measure the proapoptotic effect of transgelin. Using western blotting of p53 and double immunofluorescence staining of p53 with transgelin, we show that transfection of transgelin results in increasing cytoplasmic translocation of p53 and upregulation of p53 expression. We also found an interaction between transgelin and p53 in vivo by mammalian two-hybrid and coimmunoprecipitation assays. The activation of the mitochondria-associated apoptosis pathway was observed in LNCaP cells after transfection with transgelin. These results are indicative of p53-mediated mitochondria-associated apoptotic effects of transgelin on LNCaP cells in addition to its known suppressive effects on the AR pathway.

siRNA targeting survivin inhibits growth and induces apoptosis in human renal clear cell carcinoma 786-O cells.

We investigated the inhibitory effect of small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting survivin gene on cell proliferation and apoptosis in human renal clear cell carcinoma 786-O cells. qRT-PCR, immunocytochemistry, and Western Blot were used to detect Survivin gene expression in 786-O cells. Cell proliferation was determined by BrdU assay and PCNA expression. Cell apoptosis was analyzed through detection of caspase-3 activity, and the effect of survivin-siRNA on Bcl-2 gene expression was also examined. Forty-eight hours after transfection, survivin expression was markedly inhibited at the mRNA and protein level. Downregulation of survivin resulted in a significant inhibition of tumor cell growth. Caspase-3 activity showed that siRNA targeting survivin gene induced cell apoptosis in 786-O cells. Moreover, Bcl-2 protein expression was markedly inhibited by transfection with siRNA against survivin. These results indicate that siRNA targeting survivin gene can downregulate survivin gene expression in 786-O cells, inhibit growth, and induce apoptosis of renal carcinoma cells.

[Protective effect of MEK inhibitor (U0126) on donor testes from ischemia-reperfusion injury after orthotopic testicular transplantation in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of MEK inhibitor (U0126) on donor testes from ischemia-reperfusion injury after orthotopic testicular transplantation in rats. METHODS: The rats were divided into 7 groups, Group 1: normal control; Group 2: cold perfusion control; Group 3: sham operation control; Group 4: transplanted for 30 min; Group 5: transplanted for 1 week; Group 6: transplanted for 30 min with pretreatment of U0126; Group 7: transplanted for 1 week with pretreatment of U0126. The orthotopic testicular transplantation model was established with cuff. The levels of ERK1, ERK2, pERK1 and pERK2 of donor testes were evaluated; the change of histology and gonadal hormones were measured as well. RESULT: Group 1, 2 and 3 had no significant differences in all results (P>0.05). The levels of ERK1, ERK2, pERK1 and pERK2 in Group 4 were significantly increased compared with Group 1 (P<0.05), the levels of ERK1 and ERK2 in Group 6 were not different from those of Group 4 (P >0.05), but the levels of pERK1 and pERK2 in Group 6 were lower than those in Group 4 significantly(P <0.05), the histological changes in Group 6 were similar to Group 1 but milder than that in Group 4. The histological injury was more severe in Group 5 than that in Group 7, and the levels of gonadal hormones in Group 5 were lower than those in Group 7 (P <0.05) which remained at the normal levels. CONCLUSION: U0126 has a protective effect on the donor testes in a short period through inhibiting expression of pERK1/2 activated by testicular transplantation.

[Simultaneous inhibition of both hTERT and androgen receptor gene expression in LNCaP cells using single shRNA vector].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of inhibition of hTERT and androgen receptor (AR) gene expression simultaneously in LNCaP cells by single shRNA vector. METHODS: Templates DNA of both hTERT and AR siRNA were inserted into Pgenesil vector to construct a new vector Pgenesil-hTERT-AR-shRNA by RNAi-DNA vector technology. Pgenesil-HK-shRNA, Pgenesil-hTERT-shRNA, Pgenesil-AR-shRNA and Pgenesil-hTERT-AR-shRNA vectors were transfected into prostate cancer LNCaP cells respectively. The levels of AR mRNA, apoptosis and proliferation of each cell group were determined by FQ-PCR, Annexin V method and MTT. RESULTS: The level of hTERT mRNA of control group cells and cells transfected by Pgenesil-HK-shRNA, Pgenesil-hTERT-shRNA, Pgenesil-AR-shRNA and Pgenesil-hTERT-AR-shRNA was (1.51 +/- 0.08) x 10(8), (7.32 +/- 0.43) x 10(7), (2.94 +/- 0.15) x 10(6), (4.45 +/- 0.25) x 10(7) and (3.17 +/- 0.18) x 10(6) (copies/ml) respectively. The level of AR mRNA of control cell groups and cells transfected by Pgenesil-HK-shRNA, Pgenesil-hTERT-shRNA, Pgenesil-AR-shRNA and Pgenesil-hTERT-AR-shRNA was (1.92 +/- 0.11) x 10(5), (6.47 +/- 0.32) x 10(5), (3.70 +/- 0.24) x 10(4), (1.22 +/- 0.06) x 10(4) and (7.21 +/- 0.41) x 10(3) (copies/ml) respectively. These data indicate that the expression of hTERT or AR gene could be significantly inhibited by Pgenesil-hTERT-shRNA or Pgenesil-AR-shRNA while Pgenesil-hTERT-AR-shRNA could simultaneously inhibit both hTERT and AR gene expression. The apoptosis rate and the inhibition rate of cell growth of Pgenesil-hTERT-AR-shRNA group were significantly higher than those of Pgenesil-hTERT-shRNA group or Pgenesil-AR-shRNA group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: It is feasible to inhibit both hTERT and AR gene expression simultaneously by single shRNA vector. It will be a new research strategy of gene therapy for prostate cancer.

Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus with dilatation of bilateral renal pelvis, ureter and bladder.

OBJECTIVE: Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) with dilatation of upper urinary tract and bladder is rarely reported. This study evaluated the urological manifestations and treatment results of this rare condition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: According to a fluid deprivation test, seven men and two women were diagnosed as NDI, and underwent ultrasonography, magnetic resonance urography, cystography, and urodynamic and laboratory examination. A micturition diary and symptoms were recorded before and during treatment. All patients were given hydrochlorothiazide and followed up with ultrasonography, the postvoiding residual volume (PVR), urinalysis and kidney function tests. RESULTS: All patients presented with polydipsia and polyuria with severe dilatation of upper urinary tract and bladder. Urodynamics showed that the mean values of the bladder capacity, bladder pressure at the end of filling, maximum flow rate (Q(max)), detrusor pressure and PVR were 1056.3 ml, 40.5 cmH(2)O, 30.8 ml/s, 51.3 cmH(2)O, 436.3 ml, respectively. The total urine volume in all patients decreased by more than 50% after administration of hydrochlorothiazide, which improved the symptoms and hydronephrosis in seven cases. The symptoms of other two cases were relieved after treatment with an electric transurethral incision of the bladder neck and a cystostomy. CONCLUSIONS: NDI should be considered in patients with dilatation of the urinary tract and polyuria. Higher bladder pressure at the end of filling may contribute to the dilatation of urinary tract. Normal detrusor contractility with large PVR is a unique manifestation of this condition. Controlling the urine volume and reducing the PVR are of key importance in the treatment of this condition.

[Feasibility and safety evaluation of retrograde inserting of ureteric catheter via flexible cystoscope].

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a method of retrograde ureteric catheter placement via flexible cystoscope , and to evaluate the feasibility and safety of this method. METHODS: 112 patients, 62 males and 50 females undergoing retrograde ureteropyelography by 2 same physicians in cooperation were randomly divided into two equal groups with 31 males and 25 females each: one group via flexible cystoscope and the other group via rigid cystoscope. The catheterizing time, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score, gross hematuria rate, and fever rate were compared between these 2 groups. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients underwent ureteric catheter placement successfully via flexible cystoscope (98%, 55/56), while 53 cases were technically successful by rigid cystoscope (95%, 53/56). The inserting time in women patients of the flexible cystoscopy group was (7.6 +/- 1.8) min, significantly shorter than that of the men [(8.0 +/- 1.8) min, P < 0.05]. The inserting time in women patients of the rigid cystoscopy group was (7.4 +/- 1.5) min, significantly shorter than that of the men [(8.2 +/- 1.2) min, P < 0.05]. However, there were not significant differences in the inserting times in both men and women between these 2 groups (both P > 0.05). The VAS pain scores in men and women of the flexible cystoscope group were 3. 5 and 2. 3 respectively, both significantly lower than those of the rigid cystoscopy group (7.2 and 3.3 respectively, both P < 0.05). The gross hematuria rate of the flexible cystoscope group was 8.6% (5/56), significantly lower than that of the rigid cystoscopy group (25.0%, 14/56, P < 0.05). Four patients had a fever after flexible cystoscopy while 6 cases did after rigid cystoscopy, however, without significant difference between these 2 groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Retrograde placement of ureteric catheter via flexible cystoscope is safe and reliable as rigid cystoscopy. Meanwhile, inserting ureteric catheter via flexible cystoscope causes the patients less pain and less chance of hematuria.

Incidental prostate cancer in radical cystoprostatectomy specimens.

AIM: To investigate the rates of prostate cancer (PCa) in radical cystoprostatectomy (RCP) specimens for bladder cancer in mainland China. To determine the follow-up outcome of patients with two concurrent cancers and identify whether prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a useful tool for the detection of PCa prior to surgery. METHODS: From January 2002 to January 2007, 264 male patients with bladder cancer underwent RCP at our center. All patients underwent digital rectal examination (DRE) and B ultrasound. Serum PSA levels were tested in 168 patients. None of the patients had any evidence of PCa before RCP. Entire prostates were embedded and sectioned at 5 mm intervals. RESULTS: Incidental PCa was observed in 37 of 264 (14.0%) RCP specimens. Of these, 12 (32.4%) were clinically significant according to an accepted definition. The PSA levels were not significantly different between patients with PCa and those without PCa, nor between patients with significant PCa and those with insignificant PCa. Thirty-four patients with incidental PCa were followed up. During a mean follow-up period of 26 months, two patients with PSA > 4 ng/mL underwent castration. None of the patients died of PCa. CONCLUSION: The incidence of PCa in RCP specimens in mainland China is lower than that in most developed countries. PSA cannot identify asymptomatic PCa prior to RCP. In line with published reports, incidental PCa does not impact the prognosis of bladder cancer patients undergoing RCP.

The use of prostate specific antigen (PSA) density in detecting prostate cancer in Chinese men with PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL.

AIM: To investigate the utility of prostate specific antigen density for detecting prostate cancer in men with serum PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL. METHODS: Between January 2003 and November 2007, 237 men (aged 48-84 years, median 71) with total PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL participated in a protocol for prostate cancer screening. Eligible patients were recommended for transrectal ultrasonography (TRUS)-guided prostate biopsies after measuring prostate volumes transrectally. The diagnostic value of PSA levels and the free-to-total PSA ratio (f/tPSA), PSA densities (PSAD) were compared using receiver operating characteristic analysis. RESULTS: Prostate cancer was diagnosed in 44 (18.6%) of the 237 men who had biopsies. There were significant differences between the groups in the prostate volumes determined by TRUS, PSAD, PSA levels and f/tPSA, whereas there was no significant difference in patient age. The area under the curve (AUC) of PSA (0.6786) and PSAD (0.717) was similar and significantly greater than that of f/tPSA (AUC 0.329). PSAD was a significantly better indicator of prostate cancer than f/tPSA. The sensitivity and specificity of PSA density at a cutoff of 0.134 ng/mL(2) was 90 and 33.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: PSAD was a better predictor of prostate cancer in Chinese men with PSA levels of 4-10 ng/mL, especially those who have had prior ultrasound-determined measurements of prostate volume. Our data suggest that different PSAD cutoffs may need to be defined for Chinese.

Expression of oestrogen receptor-alpha and oestrogen receptor-beta in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that estrogens are involved in normal and abnormal prostate growth, though their exact role is still controversial. Oestrogens exert inhibitory and stimulatory effects on prostate gland, but the expression of oestrogen receptor-alpha (ERalpha) and oestrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) in malignant prostate tissue remains unresolved. We determined ERalpha and ERbeta in prostate cancer and investigated the relationship between expression of ER and pathological features of prostate carcinoma. METHODS: Thirty-two cases of prostate cancer, 12 cases of normal prostate tissue and 32 cases of benign prostate hyperplasia were analyzed for the expression of ERalpha and ERbeta using semiquantitative, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and the products sequenced. RESULTS: Comparisons of the normal, hyperplastic and tumour prostate tissues indicated an overexpression of ERalpha in tumour specimens (P < 0.01). However, the expression of ERbeta significantly reduced in tumour tissues compared with normal and hyperplastic specimens (P < 0.01), suggesting that severe pathological features of prostate cancer were associated with lower ERbeta expression. Spearman analysis showed negative correlation between ERbeta expression and tumour stage, grade (-0.67, -0.43, respectively, both P < 0.05), and a positive correlation between ERalpha expression and tumour stage, grade (0.51, 0.57, respectively, both P < 0.01). Our analysis also showed that hormone refractory, prostate cancer, compared with hormone dependent, prostate cancer, displayed a decreased expression of ERbeta (P < 0.01) and an increased expression of ERalpha. CONCLUSIONS: ERalpha and ERbeta may play important roles in the development of prostate cancer. The decrease in ERbeta expression is associated with higher Gleason grade tumours and prostate cancer with higher metastatic potential. The loss of ERbeta could be one of the key processes leading to uncontrolled growth of prostate epithelial cells.

Expression of Nkx3.1 enhances 17beta-estradiol anti-tumor action in PC3 human prostate cancer cells.

AIM: To explore whether the anti-tumor action of 17beta-estradiol is enhanced by re-expression of the homeodomain transcription factor Nkx3.1 in PC3 human prostate cancer cells. METHODS: PC3 cells were stably transfected with pcDNA3.1-Nkx3.1-His vector, which carries a full-length cDNA of human Nkx3.1. The PC3 cells stably transfected with vector pcDNA3.1 were set as a control. The expression of Nkx3.1 protein in the cells was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The effect of Nkx3.1 on cell proliferation of PC3 cells was examined with MTT assay. The antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of 17beta-estradiol alone or in combination with Nkx3.1 were estimated on PC3 cells by using MTT growth tests and flow cytometric analyses. The expression of apoptosis-related proteins was analyzed using Western blotting. RESULTS: The plasmid carrying Nkx3.1 gene induced high expression of Nkx3.1 protein in PC3 cells. The re-expression of exogenous Nkx3.1 did not cause a significant reduction in cellular proliferation, whereas the expression of Nkx3.1 enhanced the 17beta-estradiol anti-proliferative effect in PC3 cells. Nkx3.1 expression promoted 17beta-estradiol-induced apoptosis of PC3 cells, as shown by analysis of Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase expression. CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates that re-expression of Nkx3.1 enhances 17beta-estradiol anti-tumor action in PC3 human prostate cancer cells. The in vitro study suggests that re-expression of Nkx3.1 is worthy of further consideration as an adjuvant treatment of androgen independent prostate cancer with estrogen anti-tumor therapies.

[Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 and prostate cancer].

Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF-1) has a close relation with prostate cancer. It is involved not only in angiogenesis, cell proliferation/survival and glucose metabolism but also in p53, p21 and signal transduction pathway in prostate cancer. Further studies of HIF-1 may yield new approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. We present a review of the structure and biological functions of HIF-1 and its relation with prostate cancer.

[Distribution features of Gleason score and its relationship with clinical stages in 346 prostate cancer patients].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution features of Gleason score and evaluate the relationship between Gleason score and clinical stages in patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Surveys were made of the inpatients with prostate cancer diagnosed by pathology from January 1992 to June 2005 in our hospital. Gleason score and clinical stages were determined on the basis of pathological examination and clinical data of the prostate cancer patients. The patients were divided into three groups (1992-1999, 2000-2002 and 2003-2005). The Chi-square test was used to evaluate the distribution and differences of Gleason score among the three groups. Spearman rank correlation was applied to the evaluation of the relationship between Gleason score and clinical stages. RESULTS: We found a statistically significant shift in the distribution of Gleason score (chi2 = 17.703, P < 0.01), and a slight increase in the mean Gleason score. The proportion of moderately differentiated tumor increased (chi2 = 10.736, P < 0.01). There was little change in the proportion of Gleason score 7, 8, 9 and 10 (chi2 = 4.038, P > 0.05). Gleason score had a significant positive correlation with clinical stages in the 346 cases of prostate cancer (r = 0.452, P < 0.01). Significant difference was observed between Gleason score 2-6 and 7 or 8-10 (chi2 = 8.786, P < 0.01, chi2 = 22.956, P < 0.01), but not between the latter 2 groups (chi2 = 0.787, P > 0.05) in prediction of organ-confined disease. CONCLUSIONS: Gleason score 7 shows the similar value to Gleason score 8-10 in predicting the progression of the disease. Gleason score was significantly correlated with clinical stages, which suggests that Gleason score is also an important indicator for the prognosis of prostate cancer.