Premium
Potentiating Effect of Buserelin Acetate, an LHRH Agonist, on the Proliferation of Ventral Prostatic Epithelial Cells in Testosterone‐Treated Castrated Rats
Author(s) -
Maezawa Hiroaki,
Komatsu Hideki,
Kawaoi Akira,
Ueno Akira
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-2042.1997.tb00217.x
Subject(s) - buserelin , testosterone (patch) , medicine , endocrinology , agonist , proliferating cell nuclear antigen , castration , androgen , immunohistochemistry , hormone , receptor
Background: We used buserelin acetate ([D‐Ser(But)6] LHRH), an LHRH agonist and strong blocker of LH secretion, as a treatment for prostatic cancer. It is possible that this LHRH agonist has a proliferative effect on the prostate in addition to suppressing LH secretion. The purpose of this study was to examine the proliferative effect of LHRH agonist on rat prostatic epithelial cells. Methods: We determined the optimal dose of testosterone necessary to maintain a positive level of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the ventral prostatic epithelial cells of castrated Wistar rats. Testosterone‐treated rats then received various doses of buserelin acetate. Castrated rats without exogenous testosterone also received buserelin acetate. The PCNA positivity was determined by immunohistochemistry with anti‐PCNA monoclonal antibody. Results: The optimal dose of testosterone enanthate was 4mg at 0 and 28 days after castration. Administration of buserelin acetate on day 0 and 28 in doses of 0.1 6mg to 1.28mg significantly increased PCNA positivity in a dose‐dependent manner. Administration of buserelin acetate to castrated rats without testosterone also increased PCNA positivity but there was no statistical significance. Conclusions: Buserelin acetate has a potentiating effect on the proliferation of ventral prostatic epithelial cells of castrated rat in the presence of a physiological level of exogenous testosterone. This effect may slightly influence the result of hormonal therapy by LHRH agonist.