Inhibition of cultured rat prostatic epithelial cell growth by epristeride in vitro

AIM: To study the molecular mechanism of rat prostate atrophy induced by epristeride. METHODS: MTT test was used to determine the effect of epristeride on the growth of prostatic epithelial cell induced by exogenous epithelial growth factor (EGF) or insulin-like growth factor- I (IGF- I). RT-PCR and flow cytometry were then used to quantitatively detect the mRNA and protein expressions of EGFR and IGF- I R of the epithelial cells treated or untreated with epristeride. RESULTS: Epristeride attenuated growth of epithelial cells induced by exogenous EGF, IGF- I. Epristeride 360 nmol/L inhibited EGFR and IGF- I R expression at mRNA level, while epristeride 180 nmol/L had no marked effect on EGFR and IGF- I R mRNA expression. Both epristeride 180 nmol/L and 360 nmol/L could down regulate EGFR and IGF- I R protein levels. CONCLUSION: The molecular mechanisms of prostatic epithelial cell atrophy induced by epristeride might be associated with alteration in the expression of growth factor receptors such as EGF and IGF- I.