Inhibition of cultured rat prostatic epithelial cell growth by epristeridein vitro

AIM: To study the molecular mechanism of rat prostate atrophy induced by ep risteride. METHODS: MTT test was used to determine the effect of epristerid e on the growth of prostatic epithelial cell induced by exogenous epithelia l growth factor (EGF) or insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I). RT-PCR and f low cytometry were then used to quantitatively detect the mRNA and protein expressions of EGFR and IGF-I R of the epithelial cells treated or untreate d with epristeride. RESULTS: Epristeride attenuated growth of epithelial ce lls 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 m arked effect on EGFR and IGF-I R mRNA expression. Both epristeride 180 nmol /L and 360 nmol/L could down regulate EGFR and IGF-IR protein levels. CONCL USION: The molecular mechanisms of prostatic epithelial cell atrophy induce d by epristeride might be associated with alteration in the expression of g rowth factor receptors such as EGF and IGF-I.