Differential effects of vitamin D on normal human prostate epithelial and stromal cells in primary culture

Objectives. Because epidemiologic evidence has demonstrated that vitamin D may play a role in the etiology of prostate cancer, we tested the inhibitor y effect of the biologically active form of vitamin D (1,25-D) on the cell proliferation of human prostate epithelial and stromal cells in a chemicall y defined situation in the presence and absence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT ). We also tested the effect of 1,25-D in castrated rats in the presence an d absence of flutamide, an androgen receptor blocker. Methods. Prostate stromal and epithelial cells were isolated from freshly c ollected human prostatectomy specimens, and cell proliferation was measured with the MTT assay. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the prese nce of 1,25-D receptors, androgen receptors, smooth muscle actin, and E-cad herin. For in vivo analysis of 1,25-D, male Sprague-Dawley rats were castra ted, then treated with either 1,25-D, 1,25-D with flutamide, or vehicle con trol. Results. Incubation of primary cultures of prostate epithelial cells with 1 ,25-D at a concentration of 10(-8) M reduced cell proliferation by 40% of c ontrols. The inhibition of growth by 1,25-D was maintained in the presence of DHT. Conversely, the effect of a similar dose of 1,25-D on stromal cell exposure was increased proliferation. In vivo, 1,25-D increased the prostat ic weight of castrated rats that had serum testosterone levels below the de tectable limit. The addition of flutamide did not alter this effect. Conclusions. These results confirm that vitamin D may be an effective antip roliferative agent of epithelial cells in prostate cancer therapy and suppo rt in vivo studies performed in the normal rat prostate. UROLOGY 54: 171-17 7, 1999. (C) 1999, Elsevier Science Inc.