[Expression of heme oxygenase-1 in rat prostate and effects of androgen and estrogen on it].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the influences of androgen and estrogen on expression of HO-1 gene in rat ventral prostate.


METHODS
To create the model of castrated male rats, the testes were removed via scrotal incision. HO-1 mRNA level was tested by RT-PCR. The use of immunohistochemical staining procedures with image analytic technical system allowed us to assess the effects of exogenous androgen and estrogen on expression and location of HO-1 protein in rat ventral prostate.


RESULTS
The levels of HO-1 mRNA transcription and HO-1 protein expression in the castrated group were markedly decreased, compared with those in normal control group (P < 0.01); But both these levels in the groups of castration plus exogenous androgen and castration plus exogenous estrogen were much higher than those in the control group (P < 0.01). Furthermore, estrogen could increase the level of HO-1 protein expression in prostatic stroma.


CONCLUSIONS
Carbon monoxide-heme oxygenase system might be involved in the pathologic processes of prostatic abnormal proliferation.
Tian
Jian
J
Department of Physiology, Chengdu Military Medical College of Third Military University, Chengdu 610083, China.
Zheng
Yu
Y
Zhang
Jie
J
Yang
Chun
C
Wang
Jian
J
Zhang
Zhi
Z
D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D004967:Estrogens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D009919:Orchiectomy; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D000728:Androgens; D004967:Estrogens; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006419:Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing)