Association of polymorphisms within androgen receptor, 5alpha-reductase, and PSA genes with prostate volume, clinical parameters, and endocrine status in elderly men.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess the impact of polymorphisms of three genes within the androgen pathway on prostate volume, clinical parameters, and endocrine status.


METHODS
Elderly men with lower urinary tract symptoms underwent clinical and endocrine work-up. In parallel, polymorphisms within the 5alpha-reductase gene (SRD5A2 V89L and A49T), the androgen receptor gene (AR; number of CAG repeats), and the prostate specific antigen (PSA) gene (A --> G substitution at position-158) were determined by polymerase chain reaction and restriction-length polymorphism analysis by using DNA from peripheral blood.


RESULTS
A total of 190 men (66.5 +/- 9.2 yr) were analyzed. The number of CAG repeats within the AR and the PSA polymorphism revealed no associations to clinical and endocrine parameters. Individuals carrying the mutated SRD5A2 A49T allele (5.3% of the total population) had larger prostates (54.1 vs. 39.3 ml), higher PSA levels (12.2 vs. 4.3 ng/ml), and a 35% reduction in prostatic stroma/epithelial cell ratio. Men with the mutated SRD5A2 V89L gene had lower testosterone levels.


CONCLUSIONS
In contrast to prostate cancer, polymorphisms within AR and PSA genes do not seem to be of importance for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Polymorphisms within the 5alpha-reductase gene are interesting biomarkers for the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia and benign prostatic enlargement.
Department of Urology and Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for Research of Prostate Diseases, University of Vienna, Austria.
Georg
G
Schatzl
Stephan
S
Madersbacher
Andrea
A
Gsur
Martin
M
Preyer
Gerald
G
Haidinger
Andrea
A
Haitel
Christian
C
Vutuc
Michael
M
Micksche
Michael
M
Marberger
D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000235:genetics*; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011467:Prostate / Q000473:pathology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011944:Receptors, Androgen / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D018911:Trinucleotide Repeats
D000728:Androgens; D015415:Biomarkers; D011944:Receptors, Androgen; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D042944:Cholestenone 5 alpha-Reductase; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen