[Effects of testosterone on VEGF and FLK-1 protein expression in the ventral prostate of rat].

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of testosterone on VEGF and FLK-1 protein expression in the ventral prostate of Rat.

Method: SD rats were castrated, and 7 days later they were injected with different doses of testosterone. The histological changes were observed with the use of HE staining, and the protein expression of VEGF, FLK-1 were measured by immunohistochemical test.

Results: In the normal ventral prostate, different growth forms of epithelium were observed. In the castrated group, the proteins of VEGF, FLK-1 were positive in growth active epithelium and vascular endothelium; the weight of prostate decreased (P < 0.05); the histological appearance was epithelial atrophy, and there was significantly decreased protein expression of VEGF, FLK-1 in the prostatic epithelium (P < 0.05). It was found that testosterone injection stimulated prostatic hyperplasia gradually The histological changes were epithelial progressive proliferation. And a gradually increased protein expression of VEGF, FLK-1 in the prostatic epithelium was detected (P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Testosterone can stimulate prostatic growth probably by upregulating the protein expression of VEGF and FLK-1.