The worldwide epidemiology of prostate cancer: perspectives from autopsy studies

Gene expression profiling of mouse cavernous endothelial cells for diagnostic targets in diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction

PURPOSE

To investigate potential target genes associated with the diabetic condition in mouse cavernous endothelial cells (MCECs) for the treatment of diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction (ED).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Mouse cavernous tissue was embedded into Matrigel, and sprouted cells were subcultivated for other studies. To mimic diabetic conditions, MCECs were exposed to normal-glucose (NG, 5 mmoL) or high-glucose (HG, 30 mmoL) conditions for 72 hours. An RNA-sequencing assay was performed to evaluate gene expression profiling, and RT-PCR was used to validate the sequencing data.

RESULTS

We isolated MCECs exposed to the two glucose conditions. MCECs showed well-organized tubes and dynamic migration in the NG condition, whereas tube formation and migration were significantly decreased in the HG condition. RNA-sequencing analysis showed that MCECs had different gene profiles in the NG and HG conditions. Among the significantly changed genes, which we classified into 14 major gene categories, we identified that aging-related (9.22%) and angiogenesis-related (9.06%) genes were changed the most. Thirteen genes from the two gene categories showed consistent changes on the RNA-sequencing assay, and these findings were validated by RT-PCR.

CONCLUSIONS

Our gene expression profiling studies showed that Cyp1a1, Gclm, Igfbp5, Nqo1, Il6, Cxcl5, Olr1, Ctgf, Hbegf, Serpine1, Cyr61, Angptl4, and Loxl2 may play a critical role in diabetes-induced ED through aging and angiogenesis signaling. Additional research is necessary to help us understand the potential mechanisms by which these genes influence diabetes-induced ED.

Role of Hiraoka's transurethral detachment of the prostate combined with biopsy of the peripheral zone during the same session in patients with repeated negative biopsies in the diagnosis of prostate cancer

BACKGROUND

Persistent suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa) due to a rising prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level after repeated negative biopsies is a serious challenge in clinical practice.

AIM

To determine the role of Hiraoka’s transurethral detachment of the prostate (TUDP) combined with biopsy of the peripheral zone during the same session in patients with repeated negative biopsies in the diagnosis of PCa.

METHODS

We retrospectively evaluated the records of 10 patients who were eligible for inclusion in our hospital between December 2012 and August 2017. Patient demographics, a family history of PCa, the number of biopsies, prostate volume, pathological examination, and perioperative PSA level were obtained.

RESULTS

Two of 10 patients were pathologically diagnosed with PCa after surgery; the Gleason scores were 4 + 4 and 4 + 3, respectively. Both patients subsequently underwent laparoscopic radical prostatectomy. The median PSA levels preoperatively, and 3 mo and 1 year postoperatively in the other eight patients who were diagnosed with benign prostate hyperplasia after surgery were 19.10 ng/mL, 1.10 ng/mL, and 1.15 ng/mL, respectively. The adjusted P values of the 3-mo and 1-year post-operative PSA level vs pre-operative PSA level were 0.003 and 0.026, respectively. None of the patients had increased PSA levels or PCa detected after a median 35 mo of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

TUDP combined with peripheral zone biopsy may improve the detection rate of PCa in patients with repeated negative biopsies. The PSA level declined rapidly in patients who had negative pathological examinations after TUDP, which remained stable 1 year after surgery.

NCS-1 is a regulator of calcium signaling in health and disease

Neuronal Calcium Sensor-1 (NCS-1) is a highly conserved calcium binding protein which contributes to the maintenance of intracellular calcium homeostasis and regulation of calcium-dependent signaling pathways. It is involved in a variety of physiological cell functions, including exocytosis, regulation of calcium permeable channels, neuroplasticity and response to neuronal damage. Over the past 30 years, continuing investigation of cellular functions of NCS-1 and associated disease states have highlighted its function in the pathophysiology of several disorders and as a therapeutic target. Among the diseases that were found to be associated with NCS-1 are neurological disorders such as bipolar disease and non-neurological conditions such as breast cancer. Furthermore, alteration of NCS-1 expression is associated with substance abuse disorders and severe side effects of chemotherapeutic agents. The objective of this article is to summarize the current body of evidence describing NCS-1 and its interactions on a molecular and cellular scale, as well as describing macroscopic implications in physiology and medicine. Particular attention is paid to the role of NCS-1 in development and prevention of chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN).

Vcsa1 acts as a marker of erectile function recovery after gene therapeutic and pharmacological interventions

PURPOSE

We identified molecular markers of erectile function, particularly those responding to erectile dysfunction treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Sprague-Dawley retired breeder rats were intracorporeally injected with pVAX-hSlo, pSMAA-hSlo or the control plasmid pVAX. One week later the intracorporeal pressure-to-blood pressure ratio and gene expression were determined by microarray analysis and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Rat corporeal cells were transfected in vitro with pVAX-hSlo, pSMAA-hSlo or pVAX and the change in gene expression was determined. We also determined whether Vcsa1 expression was changed after pharmacotherapy using tadalafil.

RESULTS

Animals treated with vectors expressing hSlo had significantly improved erectile function compared to that in controls, accompanied by changed expression of a subset of genes. Vcsa1 was one of the genes that was most changed in expression (the third of approximately 31,000 with greater than 10-fold up-regulation). Changes in gene expression were different than those observed in corporeal cells transfected in vitro, distinguishing gene expression changes that were a direct effect of hSlo over expression. When tadalafil was administered in retired breeder rats, the Vcsa1 transcript increased 4-fold in corporeal tissue compared to that in untreated controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study identifies a set of genes that are changed in response to improved erectile function, rather than as a direct effect of treatment. We noted Vcsa1 may act as marker of the restoration of erectile function after gene transfer and pharmacotherapy.