Journal of Southern Medical University ›› 2006, Vol. 26 ›› Issue (10): 1473-1475.

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Effects of epidermal growth factor on cellular expression of estrogen and androgen receptors in mouse prostate

JIA Bin1, TANG Hong2, LI Wei3, CAI Wen-qing3 Faculty of Forensic Medicine1, Adult Education College2, Department of Urology, Second Affiliated Hospital3, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang 050017, China   

  1. 河北医科大学法医系; 河北医科大学成人教育学院; 河北医科大学第二附属医院泌尿外科; 河北医科大学第二附属医院泌尿外科 河北石家庄050017; 河北石家庄050017;
  • Online:2006-10-20 Published:2006-10-20

Abstract: Objective To investigate the effects of epidermal growth factor(EGF)on estrogen receptor (ER) and androgen receptor (AR) in mouse prostate cells and explore the putative role of EGF in prostatic hyperplasia. Methods Sixty male Kunming mice were randomly divided into two EGF groups and one control group (n=20) and subjected to subcutaneous injection of 1 and 2 μg/day EGF and distilled water, respectively, for 28 consecutive days. The cellular expression of ER and AR in the prostate of mice in different groups was evaluated by flow cytometry. Results Compared with the control group, the positivity rate of ER and its expression level were significantly increased in the mouse prostate after EGF treatment (P<0.01), and the ER expression level was significantly higher in mouse with 2 μg/day EGF treatment than in those treated with 2 μg/day EGF (P<0.01). AR positivity rate and expression level also increased significantly in comparison with the control group (P<0.05), but no significant variation was found between 1 μg/day and 2 μg/day EGF groups. Conclusion EGF can increase the cellular expression of ER and AR in mice prostate and may play a role in the pathogenesis of prostatic hyperplasia.

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