Serum Prostatic Acid Phosphatase Research Articles

Androgenic Properties and Subchronic Toxicity of the Aqueous Extract of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. Wood (Myristicaceae)

Aims: Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. also known as “Etengué” in the Baka language, is a medicinal plant used by the Baka Pygmies of Cameroon to treat erectile dysfunction. This study aimed to evaluate the androgenic activity and subchronic toxicity of the aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis wood.
 Study Design: Experimental design.
 Place and Duration of Study: Laboratory of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, between November 2022 and October 2023.
 Methodology: Twenty-five male Wistar strain rats were divided into 5 groups of 5 rats each including a positive control group that received testosterone enanthate (5 mg/kg) intramuscularly once a week; a normal control group that received distilled water (10 ml/kg) and three test groups which received 134 and 267 and 533 mg/kg of the aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis daily per os. On the 29th day, the animals were killed, and several biochemical parameters were assessed for androgenic properties.
 Results: At a dose of 134 mg/kg, the extract significantly increased (p<0.05) the levels of testicular cholesterol, testosterone and serum prostatic acid phosphatase activity compared to those of the normal control. A toxicity study showed that at doses of 134 and 267 mg/kg, the extract did not induce any significant variation (p>0.05) in the creatinine level, but a significant reduction (p<0.05) in of aspartate and alanine aminotransferase activities was recorded. Histopathology revealed destruction of testicular spermatozoa at a dose of 533 mg/kg compared to that of the controls.
 Conclusion: These results showed that at a dose of 134 mg/kg, the aqueous extract of Pycnanthus angolensis (Welw.) Warb. wood is capable of stimulating the production of androgens and is tolerated by the rat's body. Our results justified the traditional use of this plant for the treatment of male infertility and erectile dysfunction.

Deciphering anti–benign prostatic hyperplasia potential of liangwanoside II based on metabolite profile characterization combined with targeted network pharmacology

Ethnopharmacological relevanceMetapanax delavayi (Franch.) J.Wen & Frodin (Araliaceae), known as “liang wang cha” in China, has been used to treat prostatitis as herbal tea in folk. Recent research suggested that aqueous extract of Metapanax delavayi leaves showed an advantage in anti–benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) activity, and liangwanoside II was the main component of the active fraction. However, the anti–BPH effect of liangwanosdie II remains to be revealed. Aim of the studyThis study aims to decipher anti–BPH potential of liangwanoside II. Materials and methodsThe anti–BPH effect was evaluated by testosterone propionate–induced BPH rats after oral administration of liangwanoside II at the doses of 30, 60 and 120 mg/kg in vivo. Then, the metabolites of liangwanoside II in rats were identified using ultra–performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole tandem time–of–flight mass spectrometry (UPLC–Q–TOF–MS). Finally, the targeted network pharmacology combined with experimental verification were explored for the mechanism elucidation in vivo. ResultsLiangwanoside II exhibited an anti–BPH effect through reducing the weight of the prostate, prostate index and serum prostatic acid phosphatase level, and improving the prostate tissue morphology in BPH rats. Further, 16 metabolites of liangwanoside II in vivo were identified by UPLC–Q–TOF–MS analysis, in which the prototype compound and 4 metabolites, such as liangwanoside I and serratagenic acid could be absorbed in the plasma and then penetrate the blood–prostate barrier. Then, followed by the targeted network pharmacology and experimental verification, we found that liangwanoside II and its metabolites could jointly involve in the inhibition of the inflammation reaction and hormone imbalance, thus reducing oxidative stress damage, and restoring the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis, which contributed to the anti–BPH effect of liangwanoside II. ConclusionThe anti–BPH potential of liangwanoside II was revealed using metabolite profile characterization combined with targeted network pharmacology, providing new insight into the development and utilization of liangwanoside II.

Effect of bark extract of Prunus domestica in experimental prostatic hyperplasia in Wistar rats

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-malignant enlargement of prostate resulting in urinary obstruction, along with irritant urinary tract symptoms. The present pharmacological management of above condition although successful has some limitations due to adverse effects of drugs. Aims and Objectives: Phytotherapeutic agents are used in different countries for treatment of BPH. In this study, attempts have been made to find out the effect of bark extract of Prunus domestica in testosterone induced benign hyperplasia of prostate in Wistar albino rats. Materials and Methods: Animals were divided into different groups, each containing six animals. Group I (control) received Arachis oil S/C for 21 days followed by distilled water orally for another 21 days. Group II animals were treated with testosterone (2 mg/kg) S/C for 21 days followed by distilled water orally for another 21 days (positive control). Group III (standard treatment group) was given testosterone (2 mg/kg) S/C for 21 days followed by Finasteride (1 mg/kg) orally for another 21 days. Group IV and Group V animals were treated with testosterone (2 mg/kg) S/C for 21 days followed by aqueous extract of bark of P. domestica (200 and 400 mg/kg) orally for another 21 days. After the 21st day of treatment, blood collection was done from retro orbital plexus by applying light ether anesthesia. Finally the animals were sacrificed and prostate glands were dissected and weighed. The parameters such as physical (body weight, prostate weight, and prostatic index [PI]), biochemical (Serum testosterone and Serum prostatic acid phosphatase), and histopathological study were done. Results were evaluated by One-way ANOVA followed by post hoc Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Results: Administration of P. domestica bark extract reduced the size of prostate and the PI significantly (P < 0.001) when compared to positive control. The histopathological examination showed mild glandular proliferation with normal epithelial and stromal component as compared to positive control group. Conclusion: P. domestica extract can be an alternative to conventional drugs for management of BHP. Further detail study with active principles is required to assess the detail mechanism of action.

Palliative TURP Combined with Intermittent ADT Is A Curative Therapy to Some Elderly Men with Localized Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Radical prostatectomy is the preferred therapeutic option for patients with localized prostate adenocarcinoma whose life expectancy is greater than 10 years. But for elderly patients, this may not be the best option. In clinical work, we have observed that palliative transurethral resection of prostate (pTURP) combined with intermittent androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) has achieved significant good results in the treatment of elderly patients with localized prostate adenocarcinoma. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 elderly patients aged 71 to 88 years who were hospitalized for urinary retention from March 2009 to March 2015. These patients were diagnosed as localized prostate adenocarcinoma with stage T1 to T2 and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through MRI and prostate biopsy. Fifteen cases (group A) were given pTURP and intermittent ADT after surgery. Fifteen cases (group B) were given sustained ADT. Serum total prostate specific antigen (TPSA), testosterone, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), prostate acid phosphatase (PAP), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), Quality of Life (QOL) score, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), average urinary flow rate (Qave), prostate volume and post-void residual urine (PVR) data were followed up for 5 years, and the differences between the two groups were compared. Results: The 5-year cumulative survival rate of group A was 100%. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) progression-free survival was 60.00%. The average duration of intermittent ADT was 23.93 months. Prostate volume reduction was significantly. The dysuria in all patients was significantly improved. Nine patients had TPSA lower than 4 ng/ml and had no local progression and metastasis. At the same time the 5-year cumulative survival rate of group B was 80%. PSA progression-free survival was 26.67%. Six cases of dysuria improved. There was no significant difference in serum TPSA, ALP and PAP between the two groups in five years (P>0.05). Serum testosterone, IPSS score, QOL score, prostate volume, Qmax, Qave, and PVR were significantly different between the two groups in five years (P<0.05). Conclusion: pTURP for elderly patients with localized prostate adenocarcinoma and BPH combined with intermittent ADT is an effective treatment. It is able to solve dysuria. The overall ADT time is short. The risk of progression to castrated resistant prostate cancer is low. Some of them have achieved tumor-free survival.

Effect of virgin coconut oil, lauric acid and myristic acid on serum and prostatic markers of benign prostatic hyperplasia

Purpose: To investigate the effect of virgin coconut oil, lauric acid and myristic acid on serum and prostatic androgens in testosterone-induced prostatic hyperplasia.Methods: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) was induced in the animals by repeated subcutaneous injection of testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg) at the inguinal region once a day for 28 days. Thereafter, BPH was treated for 56 days by oral administration of virgin coconut oil, lauric acid and myristic acid. Following the treatment period, the rats were sacrificed and blood samples were collected through cardiac puncture for biochemical analysis.Results: Virgin coconut oil, lauric acid and myristic acid led to a significant reduction (p &lt; 0.05) in serum prostatic acid phosphatase (PAcP), prostate specific antigen (PSA) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels, and also in prostatic DHT level.Conclusion: This study provides evidence that virgin coconut oil, lauric acid and myristic acid may be useful in the management of BPH because they exerted some anti-proliferative effects in the development and progression of BPH. Therefore, coconut may be a potential functional food for the management of BPH patients because it is rich in both lauric and myristic acid. However, further investigations, including clinical trials are required to buttress this.

Effects of combined ethanol extract of Funtumia africana and Abutilon mauritianum leaves on prostate biomarkers and serum mineral levels in prostatic hyperplasia induced male rats

Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prostate disorder in ageing males that negatively affects the quality of life and requires multidimensional approaches to ameliorate its adverse health effects. Objectives: This study evaluated the effects of combined ethanol extract of Funtumia africana and Abutilon mauritianum leaves on the prostate biomarkers, serum mineral levels and prostate histomorphology of BPH induced rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six male Wistar albino rats randomly distributed into 5 groups containing 6 rats each was used for this study. Group 1 served as the normal control rats without BPH induction while groups 2–5 were BPH induced rats that served as BPH control (untreated), finasteride control, and BPH induced treated with 200 and 600 mg/kg/d of the combined ethanol extract of F. africana and A. mauritianum leaves respectively. BPH was induced in the rats by subcutaneous injection of 5 mg/kg/d of testosterone propionate injection and treatment followed 1h after the induction for 28 consecutive days. All the biochemical analyses and prostate histological examinations were carried out using standard methods. Results: BPH induction significantly elevated serum prostatic acid phosphatase activities and serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) concentrations in the BPH control rats relative to the normal control. The BPH induction caused significant (P&lt;0.05) reductions in the serum levels of calcium and selenium levels and significantly increased the serum inorganic phosphate concentration in the BPH control when compared with the normal control. Treatment with the combined extract significantly (P&lt;0.05) increased the serum zinc, calcium, copper, iron and inorganic phosphate and significantly reduced serum selenium level when compared with the BPH control. The combined extract further significant (P&lt;0.0) reduced the serum prostatic acid phosphatase activities and PSA level relative to the BPH control. The BPH control showed severe prostate histomorphological alterations consistent with BPH which were largely reduced to mild alterations in combined extract-treated BPH induced rats. Conclusion: This study revealed that the combined ethanol extract of F. africana and A. mauritianum leaves positively regulate the serum mineral levels, serum prostatic acid phosphatase activities, PSA levels and improves prostate histomorphology BPH induced rats.

Continuous threshold models with two‐way interactions in survival analysis

AbstractProportional hazards model with the biomarker–treatment interaction plays an important role in the survival analysis of the subset treatment effect. A threshold parameter for a continuous biomarker variable defines the subset of patients who can benefit or lose from a certain new treatment. In this article, we focus on a continuous threshold effect using the rectified linear unit and propose a gradient descent method to obtain the maximum likelihood estimation of the regression coefficients and the threshold parameter simultaneously. Under certain regularity conditions, we prove the consistency, asymptotic normality and provide a robust estimate of the covariance matrix when the model is misspecified. To illustrate the finite sample properties of the proposed methods, we simulate data to evaluate the empirical biases, the standard errors and the coverage probabilities for both the correctly specified models and misspecified models. The proposed continuous threshold model is applied to a prostate cancer data with serum prostatic acid phosphatase as a biomarker.

Inhibitory Effect of Artemisinin on Testosterone Propionate Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia.

Benign prostate hyperplasia [BPH] is an abnormal growth of prostate observed commonly in elderly males. Artemisinin has been reported to reduce the levels of testosterone. This study is designed to evaluate the efficacy of Artemisinin on testosterone propionate [TP] induced benign prostate hyperplasia. Male Wistar albino rats [n=24] were separated into four groups of six rats each. Group I served as control and distilled water using tween 80 as an emulsifying agent was administered subcutaneously. BPH was induced by testosterone propionate 3mg/kg [Group II], S.C. daily for 28 days. Group III was BPH + Finasteride treated group (10mg/kg orally for 28 days) and BPH + Artemisinin treated group (Group IV) (50 mg/kg orally for 28 days). The study results showed significantly high levels of serum prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and an elevation in prostate weight and prostatic index in Group II (BPH) when compared with Group I. The histopathological examination showed an increase in the epithelial proliferation of prostatic cells with involutions protruding into the lumen in BPH group when compared to the normal group. Treatment with Artemisinin (50 mg/kg) reduced the levels of PAP, LDH, prostate weight and prostatic index to a significant extent and restored the histoarchitectural features of the cells. The present study concludes that Artemisinin is efficacious in testosterone propionate induced BPH. This could be attributed, at least partly, to its anti-inflammatory property or its role in testosterone level reduction or as a Vitamin D receptor modulator.

Treatment of experimentally induced benign prostatic hyperplasia with Tadalafil and castration in dogs

New methods are being developed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Tadalafil on the treatment of experimentally induced BPH in dogs. Twenty-five adult intact male dogs were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5): normal group; dogs induced with BPH and treated with Tadalafil (5 mg/day p.o.); dogs which received Tadalafil (5 mg/day p.o.); dogs induced with BPH and treated with castration; and dogs induced with BPH. For 4 sequential weeks, the hematologic and prostate-specific factors (dihydrotestosterone (DHT), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), serum prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and canine prostatic specific esterase (CPSE)) were measured. Significant differences were observed in the level of PSA, CPSE, and PAP concentration between the normal vs. BPH-Tadalafil, BPH-castrated, and BPH groups. Treating BPH-induced dogs with Tadalafil or castration significantly declined the serum PSA, CPSE, and PAP levels compared to those of the untreated BPH-induced group. The treatment of normal dogs with Tadalafil did not affect prostate-specific biomarkers in comparison with normal dogs. In conclusion, and according to the prostatic indices, it could be stated that Tadalafil, compared with castration, could be used for the treatment of BPH in dogs.

Protective effects of selenium and nano-selenium on bisphenol-induced reproductive toxicity in male rats.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread compound associated with the manufacture of many consumer products. The BPA-induced reproductive toxicity was reported to be mainly attributed to oxidative stress. However, the role of antioxidants usage to decrease the injurious effects of BPA, on male reproductive functions, remains to unveil. The present research is established to evaluate the role of selenium (Se) and its nano form (NSe) as protective agents to alleviate BPA-induced testicular toxicity. Ninety mature albino male rats were assigned into six equal groups: negative control; orally BPA 150 mg/kg; Se 3 mg/kg; NSe 2 mg/kg; both BPA 150 mg/kg and Se 3 mg/kg; and BPA 150 mg/kg + NSe 2 mg/kg. The experiment lasted for 70 consecutive days, and then serum was collected for estimation of prostatic acid phosphatase. Testicular tissues were subjected to measurement of antioxidant status, lipid peroxidation, DNA damage, and expression of some apoptotic genes. Our results reported that BPA-induced marked testicular damage evidenced by significant elevations in serum prostatic acid phosphatase activity, malondialdehyde levels, a decrease in testicular catalase activity and reduced glutathione level. Moreover, marked DNA internucleosomal fragmentation pattern as well as upregulation of cyclooxygenase-2 and estrogen receptor-2 NSe genes were detected. Coadministration of Se and NSe attenuated the reproductive toxicity induced by BPA via improvement of the antioxidant activity, genetic changes, and restoration of testicular tissue nearly as control one. These results indicated that both Se and NSe forms could be used as reproductive protective agents against the detrimental effect induced by BPA. However, the NSe surpassed the selenium in modulating the DNA laddering, and the studied gene expression levels, and offered a potent reproductive protection.

Nano-sized titanium dioxide toxicity in rat prostate and testis: Possible ameliorative effect of morin

This study investigated the effect of short-term oral exposure to nano-sized titanium dioxide (nTiO2) on Wistar rat prostate and testis, and the associating reproductive-related alterations. The study also evaluated the potential ameliorative effect of the natural flavonoid, morin, on nTiO2-induced aberrations. Intragastric administration of nTiO2 (50mg/kg/day for 1, 2 and 3weeks) increased testicular gamma-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) activity and decreased testicular steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and c-kit gene expression, serum testosterone level and sperm count. nTiO2-treated rats also exhibited prostatic and testicular altered glutathione levels, elevated TNF-α levels, up-regulated Fas, Bax and caspase-3 gene expression, down-regulated Bcl-2 gene expression and enhanced prostatic lipid peroxidation. Sperm malformation and elevated testicular acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and malondialdehyde level, serum prostatic acid phosphatase activity, prostate specific antigen (PSA), gonadotrophin and estradiol levels occurred after the 2 and 3week regimens. Morin (30mg/kg/day administered intragastrically for 5weeks) mitigated nTiO2-induced prostatic and testicular injury as evidenced by lowering serum PSA level, testicular γ-GT and ACP activities and TNF-α level, along with hampering both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways. Moreover, morin alleviated prostatic lipid peroxidation, raised prostatic glutathione level, and relieved testicular reductive stress. Additionally, morin increased testicular StAR and c-kit mRNA expression, raised the sperm count, reduced sperm deformities and modified the altered hormone profile. Histopathological evaluation supported the biochemical findings. In conclusion, morin could ameliorate nTiO2-induced prostatic and testicular injury and the corresponding reproductive-related aberrations via redox regulatory, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic mechanisms, promoting steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, and improving sperm count and morphology.

Embelin Ameliorate Testosterone-Induced Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats

Embelin, is a naturally occurring alkyl substituted hydroxyl benzoquinone and a major constituent from all the parts of Embelia ribes. It possesses antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic activities and also has the ability to decrease testosterone levels. The present study was designed to determine the effect of embelin on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into six groups and treated with either embelin (5 and 10 mg/kg), finasteride (1 mg/kg) or vehicle. After above mentioned treatment, testosterone (3 mg/kg; subcutaneously) was administration for 28 days, to induce BPH. On the day 29, blood samples were collected from the retro-orbital plexus. After blood sample collection, animals were sacrificed and prostates were immediately dissected out for weight measurement, biochemical estimations and histopathological studies. Prostatic serum acid phosphatase (PSAP) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) were estimated. Administration of testosterone leads to significant increase in prosthetic weight, PSAP, PSA and lipid peroxidation levels and decrease in the antioxidant status. Moreover, histopathological abnormalities in the prostatic tissue were also found in these animals. Treatment with both the doses of embelin and finasteride significantly reversed the changes produced by testosterone. The authors conclude that antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of embelin are responsible for its protection against testosterone-induced BPH.

Quercetin attenuates di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced testicular toxicity in adult rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential oxidative damage of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in the rat testis and to further elucidate the potential modulatory effect of quercetin. DEHP was diluted in corn oil and given to rats by oral gavage at doses 0, 300, 600, and 900 mg/kg/day (groups I, III, IV, or V, respectively) for 15 consecutive days. Group VI was pretreated with quercetin (90 mg/kg), 24 h before starting the experiment and then treated with DEHP (900 mg/kg/day) for 15 consecutive days. Group II was treated with quercetin (90 mg/kg/day). The relative testes weight and sperm motility were significantly decreased by treatment with 900 mg/kg of DEHP. Both sperm count and daily sperm production were significantly decreased by DEHP treatment at doses of 600 and 900 mg/kg. Serum testosterone level and prostatic acid phosphatase (ACP) activity and testicular lactate dehydrogenase-X (LDH-X) activity were significantly decreased in animals treated with 900 mg/kg. Serum total ACP activity was significantly increased in animals treated with 600 and 900 mg/kg of DEHP. DEHP treatment induced oxidative stress and histopathological abnormality. These abnormalities were effectively normalized by pretreatment with quercetin except for LDH-X near normalcy. In conclusion, the findings of this study demonstrate that DEHP impairs testicular function at least, in part, by inducing oxidative stress and quercetin has a potent protective effect against DEHP-induced testicular toxicity in rats.

Effects of E/Z isomers of lycopene on experimental prostatic hyperplasia in mice

AimLycopene is a member of the carotenoid family and has strong anti-oxidant properties. Lycopene occurs in tomato-based food products primarily as an all-E isomer (80–97%),but its Z-isomers accounts for 79 to 88% of total lycopene in benign or malignant prostate tissues, while the specific biological functions of Z-isomers are still not clarified at present. This study was to examine the bioactive potency of Z-isomers on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in mice and to make a comparison of effective inhibition between Z-isomers and all-E isomer. MethodMice were divided into the Saline group, Vehicle control group and testosterone propionate induced BPH mice group (BPH model group, vehicle BPH model group, lycopene treated (5mg/kg and 2.5mg/kg), Z-isomers (57%) treated, Z-isomers (86%) treated, finasteride treated). The drugs were orally administered once a day consecutively for 30days. The inhibitory effects on BPH of all-E lycopene and Z-isomers were evaluated by prostatic index, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), estradiol, testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels in serum and histopathology examination. ResultsCompared with the BPH model group, E/Z isomers exhibited significant differences in prostatic index, PAP, estradiol, testosterone and DHT levels in serum and similar histological aspects observed in the mice of the control group. The present research also shows that Z-isomers may be more potent inhibitors than all-E isomers in BPH treatment.

In vivo anti-androgenic, anti-estrogenic and antioxidant activities of the aqueous extract of Eremomastax speciosa

ObjectiveTo evaluate the in vivo anti-androgenic, antioxidant activity and anti-estrogenic activities of Eremomastax speciosa (E. speciosa) in order to find new method for fighting against chronic diseases such as cancer. MethodsEvaluations of antiandrogenic and antioxidant activities were carried out on male rate receiving simultaneous daily administration of testosterone and different doses of aqueous extract of E. speciosa, during a period of 10 d. The evaluation of antiestrogenic activity was carried out on mature ovariectomized female rats receiving simultaneous daily administration of estradiol and different doses of extract, for a week. Then reproductive organs were weighted, levels of prostatic acid phosphatase, superoxide dismutase and catalase as well as some hematologic parameters were measured. ResultsThe treatment significantly reduced (P<0.01) the weight of ventral prostate, penis, Cowper's gland and the level of serum prostatic acid phosphatase; while a significant decrease (P<0.01) of the catalase activity was observed. A significant increase (P<0.05) in the lymphocyte number and significant decrease of monocyte (P<0.05) were noticed. The uterine relative weight were significantly reduced (P<0.01). ConclusionsGenerally, these results denote the antiandrogenic, antiestrogenic and immunomodulatory potential of E. speciosa.

Fangjihuangqi Tang improved lower urinary tract dysfunction in benign prostatic hyperplasia rats model

ObjectiveTo investigated the effect and mechanism of Fangjihuangqi Tang (FHT) on lower urinary tract dysfunction induced by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats. MethodsMale rats were randomly divided into seven groups: normal, model, finasteride (0.5 mg/kg), terazosin (0.5 mg/kg), and FHT (10, 5, 2.5 g/kg). Rats were administered testosterone (0.5 mg sc) for 6 weeks after orchiectomy, excluding the normal group. All rats were intragastrically administered assigned drugs for 4 weeks from the third week. Urodynamics were assessed in rats under anesthesia. Serum dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) were measured. The prostate index (PI), bladder index (BI), and pathological detection were evaluated. ResultsIn the model group, the PI, BI, serum DHT, serum PAP, threshold pressure (TP), micturition pressure (MP), and residual urine volume (RV) were significantly higher. Moreover, inter-micturition duration (IMD) was significantly lower and the prostatic and bladder showed obvious pathological changes. The IMD was significantly higher, while BI, TP, MP, and RV were significantly lower and bladder pathological changes were alleviated in the FHT (10, 5 g/kg), finasteride, and terazosin groups. The PI, DHT, and PAP were significantly lower in the finasteride group, but they did not change significantly in the FHT (10, 5, 2.5 g/kg) and terazosin groups. ConclusionFHT could relieve symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction in BPH rats but with no apparent effect on reducing the volume of the enlarged prostate itself.

A hierarchical Bayes model for biomarker subset effects in clinical trials

Some baseline patient factors, such as biomarkers, are useful in predicting patients’ responses to a new therapy. Identification of such factors is important in enhancing treatment outcomes, avoiding potentially toxic therapy that is destined to fail and improving the cost-effectiveness of treatment. Many of the biomarkers, such as gene expression, are measured on a continuous scale. A threshold of the biomarker is often needed to define a sensitive subset for making easy clinical decisions. A novel hierarchical Bayesian method is developed to make statistical inference simultaneously on the threshold and the treatment effect restricted on the sensitive subset defined by the biomarker threshold. In the proposed method, the threshold parameter is treated as a random variable that takes values with a certain probability distribution. The observed data are used to estimate parameters in the prior distribution for the threshold, so that the posterior is less dependent on the prior assumption. The proposed Bayesian method is evaluated through simulation studies. Compared to the existing approaches such as the profile likelihood method, which makes inferences about the threshold parameter using the bootstrap, the proposed method provides better finite sample properties in terms of the coverage probability of a 95% credible interval. The proposed method is also applied to a clinical trial of prostate cancer with the serum prostatic acid phosphatase (AP) biomarker.

Combined Oral Arginine and Monosodium Glutamate Exposure Induces Adverse Response on the Prostate Function and Testis Histology of Rats

Aims: This study investigated the effect of exposure to arginine (ARG) and glutamate (GLU), or its variant, monosodium glutamate (MSG) on the prostate function and testis histology of rats. Study Design: Exposure to either ARG, GLU, monosodium glutamate (MSG), ARG plus GLU or ARG plus MSG was per oral for 4 consecutive weeks. On the last day of the experiment, rats were food-deprived for 15 h before collecting their blood and testis samples. Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry and Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria, between June 2005 and June 2006. Methodology: Total and prostatic acid phosphatase activities in serum were determined by the method of Walter and Schutt. Testis sections were stained and mounted using haematoxylin and eosin (H&amp;E), for histology. Results: On comparison with control, the results showed that ARG, GLU, or arginine together with monosodium glutamate (ARG+MSG) induced a significant (p&lt;0.05 and p&lt;0.01) elevation whereas, ARG+GLU caused a reduction (p&lt;0.05 and p&lt;0.01), in serum total acid phosphatase (TAP) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) activities. MSG-induced reduction in TAP activity (20.76 ± 0.18 I.U/L), however, was not statistically significant (p&gt;0.05 and p&gt;0.01). Histological examination of the testis sections revealed varying degree of degeneration characterized by necrosis in ARG+GLU and ARG+MSG groups relative to control and ARG, GLU or MSG groups. Conclusion: Results may indicate variable treatment related adverse effect on the prostate function and the testis histology of the rats. The possible effect, however, appeared higher following concomitant exposure to ARG and MSG. Thus, caution should be exercised in the simultaneous ingestion of arginine and monosodium glutamate in animals. Further work however, is required to address some shortcomings (including small sample size) of this study to validate reliability.

Prostatic acid phosphatase in serum and semen of dogs

The incidence of prostatic malignancy has increased the use of tissue markers to detect cancer. Tissue specific antigens or differentiation antigens are found on the surface of normal cells. Clinically, these antigens are important to diagnose alterations in the tissues and for immunotherapy. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the prostatic acid phosphatase concentration in blood and seminal plasma of intact and healthy dogs at different ages. The evaluation was carried out by spectrophotometer, using a commercial kit. The prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) levels did not differ according to the age and did not correlate with age or prostatic dimensions verified by ultrasonography. The PAP concentration values varied greatly within each group. However, more studies are necessary to evaluate the role of prostatic acid phosphatase in the canine prostate and its importance as a diagnostic test for prostate disorders.

Barcode lateral flow immunochromatographic strip for prostate acid phosphatase determination

A barcode semiquantitative lateral flow immunochromatographic strip for prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) was developed, in which the monoclonal antibody specific for PAP was labeled to gold nanoparticle and another monoclonal antibody was immobilized on nitrocellulose membrane in the barcode fashion respectively. Based on the stepwise capture of analyte, the system expresses the concentration of PAP in nanogram range as four distinct ladder bars in 30 min, therefore, which could be detected directly by naked eye or image analyzer. Serum PAP from 65 patients was detected with this method and compared with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). There is a good agreement between the methods. Its easily readable result, and also its simplicity and low cost offers an alternative for testing PAP. By incorporating with different specific antibody, the assay can be further extended to detect a variety of analytes with clinical importance.