Bottlebrush Block Copolymers at the Interface of Immiscible Liquids: Adsorption and Lateral Packing.

Amphiphilic bottlebrush block copolymers (BBCPs), having a hydrophilic bottlebrush polymer (BP) linked covalently to a hydrophobic BP, were found to segregate to liquid-liquid interfaces to minimize the free energy of the system. The key parameter influencing the outcome of the experiments is the ratio between the degree of polymerization of the backbone (NBB) and that of the side-chain brushes (NSC). Specifically, a spherical, star-like configuration results when NBB < NSC, while a cylindrical, bottlebrush-like shape is preferred when NBB > NSC. Dynamic interfacial tension (γ) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements show that the BBCP configuration influences the areal density and in-plane diffusion at the fluid interface. The characteristic relaxation times associated with BBCP adsorption (τA) and reorganization (τR) were determined by fitting time-dependent interfacial tension measurements to a sum of two exponential relaxation functions. Both τA and τR initially increased with NBB up to 92 repeat units, due to the larger hydrodynamic radius in solution and slower in-plane diffusivity, attributed to a shorter cross-sectional diameter of the side-chains near the block junction. This trend reversed at NBB = 190, with shorter τA and τR attributed to increased segregation strength and exposure of the bare water/toluene interface due to tilting and/or wiggling of the backbone chains, respectively. The adsorption energy barrier decreased with higher NBB, due to a reduced BBCP packing density at the fluid interface. This study provides fundamental insights into macromolecular assembly at fluid interfaces, as it pertains to unique bottlebrush block architectures.

Conjugated Zwitterionic Oligomers as Ligands on Perovskite Nanocrystals: Hybrid Structures with Tunable Interparticle Spacing.

Conventional ligands for CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), composed of polar, coordinating head groups (e.g., ammonium or zwitterionic) and aliphatic tails, are instrumental in stabilizing the NCs against sintering and aggregation. Nonetheless, the aliphatic (insulating) nature of these ligands represents drawbacks with respect to objectives in optoelectronics, and yet removing these ligands typically leads to a loss of colloidal stability. In this paper, we describe the preparation of CsPbBr3 NCs in the presence of discrete conjugated oligomers that were prepared by an iterative synthetic approach and capped at their chain ends with sulfobetaine zwitterions for perovskite coordination. Notably, these zwitterionic oligofluorenes are compatible with the hot injection and ligand exchange conditions used to prepare CsPbBr3 NCs, yielding stable NC dispersions with high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQY, >90%) and spectral features representative of both the perovskite core and conjugated ligand shell. Controlling the chain length of these capping ligands effectively regulated inter-NC spacing and packing geometry when cast into solid films, with evidence derived from both transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and grazing incidence X-ray scattering measurements.

Phase Behavior of Charged Star Block Copolymers at Fluids Interface.

The phase behavior of block copolymers (BCPs) at the water-oil interface is influenced by the segmental interaction parameter ( χ ${\chi }$ ) and chain architecture. We synthesized a series of star block copolymers (s-BCPs) having polystyrene (PS) as core and poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) as corona. The interaction parameters of block-block ( χ ${\chi }$ PS-P2VP ) and block-solvent ( χ ${\chi }$ P2VP-solvent ) were varied by adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution. Lowering pH increased the fraction of quaternized-P2VP (Q-P2VP) with enhanced hydrophilicity. By transferring the equilibrated interfacial assemblies, morphologies ranging from bicontinuous films at pH of 7 and 3.1 to nanoporous and nanotubular structure at pH of 0.65 were observed. The nanoporous films formed hexagonally packed pores in s-BCP matrix, while nanotubes comprised Q-P2VP as corona and PS as core. Control over pore size, d-spacing between pores, and nanotube diameters was achieved by varying polymer concentration, molecular weight, volume fraction and arm number of s-BCPs. Large-scale nanoporous films were obtained by freeze-drying emulsions. Remarkably, the morphologies of linear BCPs were inverted, forming hexagonal-packed rigid spherical micelles with Q-P2VP as core and PS as corona in multilayer. This work provides insights of phase behaviors of BCP at fluids interface and offer a facile approach to prepare nanoporous film with well-controlled pore structure.

Janus bottlebrush compatibilizers.

Bottlebrush random copolymers (BRCPs), consisting of a random distribution of two homopolymer chains along a backbone, can segregate to the interface between two immiscible homopolymers. BRCPs undergo a reconfiguration, where each block segregates to one of the homopolymer phases, adopting a Janus-type structure, reducing the interfacial tension and promoting adhesion between the two homopolymers, thereby serving as a Janus bottlebrush copolymer (JBCP) compatibilizer. We synthesized a series of JBCPs by copolymerizing deuterated or hydrogenated polystyrene (DPS/PS) and poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) macromonomers using ruthenium benzylidene-initiated ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP). Subsequent acid-catalyzed hydrolysis converted the PtBA brushes to poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The JBCPs were then placed at the interface between DPS/PS homopolymers and poly(2-vinyl pyridine) (P2VP) homopolymers, where the degree of polymerization of the backbone (NBB) and the grafting density (GD) of the JBCPs were varied. Neutron reflectivity (NR) was used to determine the interfacial width and segmental density distributions (including PS homopolymer, PS block, PAA block and P2VP homopolymer) across the polymer-polymer interface. Our findings indicate that the star-like JBCP with NBB = 6 produces the largest interfacial broadening. Increasing NBB to 100 (rod-like shape) and 250 (worm-like shape) reduced the interfacial broadening due to a decrease in the interactions between blocks and homopolymers by stretching of blocks. Decreasing the GD from 100% to 80% at NBB = 100 caused an increase the interfacial width, yet further decreasing the GD to 50% and 20% reduced the interfacial width, as 80% of GD may efficiently increase the flexibility of blocks and promote interactions between homopolymers, while maintaining relatively high number of blocks attached to one molecule. The interfacial conformation of JBCPs was further translated into compatibilization efficiency. Thin film morphology studies showed that only the lower NBB values (NBB = 6 and NBB = 24) and the 80% GD of NBB = 100 had bicontinuous morphologies, due to a sufficient binding energy that arrested phase separation, supported by mechanical testing using asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) tests. These provide fundamental insights into the assembly behavior of JBCPs compatibilizers at homopolymer interfaces, opening strategies for the design of new BCP compatibilizers.

Current Controversy and Developments Regarding the Cytoreductive Prostatectomy for Oligometastatic Prostate Cancer.

Oligometastatic prostate cancer is a term that is most often used to refer to limited sites of disseminated tumor growth following primary radical prostatectomy (RP) or radiotherapy (RT), while de novo oligometastatic is a term that is used to refer to prostate tumors that have disseminated to limited sites before definitive treatment. In patients with de novo oligometastatic prostate cancer, treatment planning must thus consider the need to manage the primary tumor and the associated distant lesions. Traditionally, resectioning primary metastatic tumors is not thought to offer significant benefits to affected patients while increasing their risk of surgery-related complications. Recent clinical evidence indicates that patients undergoing cytoreductive prostatectomy (CRP) may observe substantial enhancements in overall survival rates while not experiencing a noticeable decline in their quality of life. Nevertheless, based on the current body of evidence, it is deemed inadequate to justify revising clinical guidelines. Consequently, it is not advisable to propose CRP for patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer. The present review was compiled to summarize available data regarding the indications, functional outcomes, and oncological outcomes associated with cytoreductive radical prostatectomy to provide a robust and objective foundation that can be used to better assess the value of this interventional strategy from a clinical perspective.

Photo-actuators via epitaxial growth of microcrystal arrays in polymer membranes.

Photomechanical crystals composed of three-dimensionally ordered and densely packed photochromes hold promise for high-performance photochemical actuators. However, bulk crystals with high structural ordering are severely limited in their flexibility, resulting in poor processibility and a tendency to fragment upon light exposure, while previous nano- or microcrystalline composites have lacked global alignment. Here we demonstrate a photon-fuelled macroscopic actuator consisting of diarylethene microcrystals in a polyethylene terephthalate host matrix. These microcrystals survive large deformations and show a high degree of three-dimensional ordering dictated by the anisotropic polyethylene terephthalate, which critically also has a similar stiffness. Overall, these ordered and compliant composites exhibit rapid response times, sustain a performance of over at least hundreds of cycles and generate work densities exceeding those of single crystals. Our composites represent the state-of-the-art for photochemical actuators and enable properties unattainable by single crystals, such as controllable, reversible and abrupt jumping (photosalient behaviour).

Dynamic changes in PSA levels predict prognostic outcomes in prostate cancer patients undergoing androgen -deprivation therapy: A multicenter retrospective analysis.

Background: Androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) is used for the treatment of prostate cancer. However, the specific risk factors for the development of castration-resistant disease are still unclear. The present study sought to identify predictors of patient prognostic outcomes through analyses of clinical findings in large numbers of prostate cancer patients following ADT treatment. Methods: Data pertaining to 163 prostate cancer patients treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical University and Maoming People's Hospital from January 1, 2015, to December 30, 2020, were retrospectively analyzed. Dynamic changes in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were regularly assessed, including both time to nadir (TTN) and nadir PSA (nPSA). Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with Cox risk proportional regression models, while differences in biochemical progression-free survival (bPFS) were compared among groups with Kaplan-Meier curves and log-rank tests. Results: The bPFS values over the median 43.5-month follow-up period differed significantly between patients with nPSA levels < 0.2 ng/mL and ≥ 0.2 ng/mL, being 27.6 months and 13.5 months, respectively (log-rank P < 0.001). A significant difference in median bPFS was also observed when comparing patients with a TTN ≥ 9 months (27.8 months) to those with a TTN < 9 months (13.5 months) (log-rank P < 0.001). Conclusions: TTN and nPSA are valuable predictors of prognosis in prostate cancer patients after ADT treatment, with better outcomes evident in patients with nPSA < 0.2 ng/mL and TTN > 9 months.

Giant adrenal ganglioneuroma in children: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Ganglioneuromas (GNs) arise from the Schwann cells, ganglion cells, and neuronal tissues, and are extremely rare, slow-growing, benign tumors. GN has usually grown very large when it is diagnosed since no specific clinical symptoms or laboratory findings indicating GN are available, especially when it occurs in the retroperitoneal space. Total resection of the tumor is the recommended treatment. We present the imaging and pathological findings of a giant adrenal GN in a child. A 7-year-old boy suffered from nausea and postprandial vomiting for 1 week with no precipitating factors. There was no family history of any disease, and the boy did not suffer from any disease in the past. Biochemical examination showed normal results. Physical examination showed an immobilized palpable mass in the left abdominal area. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a 13 cm × 10 cm solid mass in the retroperitoneal space. The mass showed slight and heterogeneous enhancement after injection of a contrasting agent. The mass was surgically resected locally to address the embedded abdominal vessels, and the histopathological and immunohistochemical diagnosis of the mass was GN. After the surgery, the symptoms of nausea and vomiting were relieved, and no complications occurred. CONCLUSION: GN should be considered when a child presents with a giant retroperitoneal hypodense mass and the mass presents uneven and delayed enhancement. Histopathology is the golden standard for the diagnosis of GN. Currently, surgical excision is the optimal treatment.

Advances in the Current Understanding of the Mechanisms Governing the Acquisition of Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer.

Despite aggressive treatment and androgen-deprivation therapy, most prostate cancer patients ultimately develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), which is associated with high mortality rates. However, the mechanisms governing the development of CRPC are poorly understood, and androgen receptor (AR) signaling has been shown to be important in CRPC through AR gene mutations, gene overexpression, co-regulatory factors, AR shear variants, and androgen resynthesis. A growing number of non-AR pathways have also been shown to influence the CRPC progression, including the Wnt and Hh pathways. Moreover, non-coding RNAs have been identified as important regulators of the CRPC pathogenesis. The present review provides an overview of the relevant literature pertaining to the mechanisms governing the molecular acquisition of castration resistance in prostate cancer, providing a foundation for future, targeted therapeutic efforts.

Cytoreductive prostatectomy improves survival outcomes in patients with oligometastases: a systematic meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Whether cytoreductive prostatectomy (CRP) should be performed in patients with oligometastatic prostate cancer (OPC) remains controversial. The goal of this systematic meta-analysis was to assess the efficacy of CRP as a treatment for OPC. METHODS: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. Data sources included publications in the PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, EBSCO, and Web of Science (SCI) databases as of May 2022. Eligible articles included prospective studies comparing the efficacy of CRP to a lack of CRP in patients with OPC. RESULTS: In total, 10 publications incorporating 888 patients were analyzed. Tumor-reducing prostatectomy was found to have no significant effect on long-term or short-term OS [OR = 2.26, 95% CI (0.97, 5.28), P = 0.06] and [OR = 1.73, 95% CI (0.83, 3.58), P = 0.14], but it significantly improved patient long-term or short-term CSS [OR = 1.77, 95% CI (1.01, 310), P = 0.04] and [OR = 2.71, 95% CI (1.72, 4.29), P < 0.0001] and PFS [OR = 1.93, 95% CI (1.25, 2.97), P = 0.003]. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that cytoreductive prostatectomy can confer survival benefits to OPC patients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: INPLASY protocol 202260017 https://doi.org/10.37766/inplasy2022.6.0017 .

In Situ Hydrolysis of Block Copolymers at the Water-Oil Interface.

In situ manipulation of the chemical composition of block copolymers at the fluid interfaces affords a route by which the interfacial tension, the packing of the copolymers, and the penetration of the blocks into the two liquids can be controlled. Here, a series of linear block copolymers of poly(solketal methacrylate-b-styrene) (PSM-b-PS) are used, converting hydrophobic PSM block into a hydrophilic glycerol monomethacrylate (GM) block, that results in a marked decrease in the liquid-liquid interfacial tension. The kinetics of the first-order hydrolysis reaction was analyzed by monitoring the time-dependent interfacial tension as a function of pH, polymer concentration, molecular weight, and composition. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) was used to measure the in-plane dynamics of the copolymers before and after hydrolysis. This work provides insights into a quantitative pathway by which in situ interfacial reactions may be performed and monitored in real time, completely changing the interfacial activity of the molecule.

Combined multiomics analysis reveals the mechanism of CENPF overexpression-mediated immune dysfunction in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in vitro.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is one of the most common aggressive B-cell lymphomas with significant heterogeneity. More than half of patients are cured, but 40%-45% still face relapse or develop drug resistance, and the mechanism is not yet known. In this study, Centrimeric protein F (CENPF) overexpression was found in several DLBCL patients with relapsed or refractory disease compared to patients with complete remission. Thus, the human DLBCL cell line SU-DHL-4 was chosen for this study, and CENPF was upregulated in that cell line by using an adenovirus in vitro. Mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteome analysis was first performed, and the results showed that the expression levels of various proteins were increased when CENPF was upregulated, and these proteins are mainly involved in cellular processes, biological regulation, immune system processes and transcriptional regulator activity. Bioinformatics data analysis revealed that the main enriched proteins, including UBE2A, UBE2C, UBE2S, TRIP12, HERC2, PIRH2, and PIAS, were involved in various ubiquitin-related kinase activities and ubiquitination processes. Thus, ubiquitinome analysis was further performed, and the results demonstrated that proteins in many immune-related cellular pathways, such as natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, the T-cell receptor signaling pathway and the B-cell receptor signaling pathway, were significantly deubiquitinated after CENPF was upregulated in DLBCL cells. Furthermore, TIMER2.0 was also used to reveal the association between CENPF and immune infiltration in DLBCL. The results showed that CENPF expression was positively correlated with CD8+ T cells, NK cells and B lymphocytes in DLBCL samples but negatively correlated with regulatory T cells. Aberrant activation of CENPF may induce immune dysregulation in DLBCL cells by mediating protein deubiquitination in various immune signaling pathways, which leads to tumor escape of DLBCL, but further experimental validation is still needed.

Antitumour activity of TH1579, a novel MTH1 inhibitor, against castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) treatment still remains difficult. The aim of the present study was to determine the antitumour efficacy of the MutT homolog 1 (MTH1) inhibitor, TH1579, against castration-resistant prostate cancer. PC-3 and DU-145 prostate cancer cells were treated with different concentrations of TH1579. C4-2 cells with or without androgen receptor (AR) were also treated with TH1579 to assess AR function. Cell survival, 8-oxo-dG levels and DNA damage were measured using cell viability assays, western blotting, immunofluorescence analysis and flow cytometry. TH1579 inhibited CRPC cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. The viabilities of PC-3 and DU-145 cells treated with 1 µM of TH1579 were 28.6 and 24.1%, respectively. The viabilities of C4-2 cells with and without AR treated with 1 µM TH1579 were 10.6 and 19.0%, respectively. Moreover, TH1579 treatment increased 8-oxo-dG levels, as well as the number of 53BP1 and γH2A.X foci, resulting in increased DNA double-strand breakage and apoptosis in PC-3 and DU-145 cells. The findings of the present study demonstrated that TH1579 exerted strong antitumour effects on CRPC cells, and may therefore be used as a potential therapeutic agent for the clinical treatment of CRPC.

Comparison of 3-dimensional laparoscopy and conventional laparoscopy in the treatment of complex renal tumor with partial nephrectomy: A propensity score-matching analysis.

To compare the efficacies of 3-dimensional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy for complex renal tumors. The complex renal tumors was defined as Preoperative Aspects and Dimensions Used for an anatomical (PADAU) ≥10, including some cT1b tumors.This was a retrospective analysis of patients with local complex renal tumors who presented to our hospital from January 2014 to January 2018. All patients were managed with laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) or 3-dimensional partial nephrectomy (3DLPN).There were 48 patients in the LPN group and 60 in the 3DLPN group. In the matched groups, demographic and tumor characteristics including Charlson Comorbidity Index, PADUA, based on the preoperative images, were similar. By contrast, 3DLPN achieved better results in terms of warm ischemia time (19 vs 27 minutes), operation time (105 vs 128 minutes), postoperative complications (14.9% vs 23.4%), and marginal width (0.6 cm vs 0.4 cm). We found statistically significant differences in terms of length of stay, estimated blood loss (EBL), positive surgical margin (PSM), and conversion to open or radical nephrectomy (RN). Median follow-up time was 17 and 18.5 months for the LPN and 3DLPN groups, respectively. The recovery of renal function (% change eGFR, 0 vs -8.7) was significantly different between the 3DLPN and LPN groups, whereas 12-month recurrence-free survival did not differ.Both 3-dimensional laparoscopic nephron-sparing nephrectomy and conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy are safe, effective, and acceptable approaches to treating complex renal tumors, while the former may facilitate tumor resection and renorrhaphy for challenging cases, offering a minimally invasive surgical option for patients who may otherwise require open surgery.

Expression of KAP1 in epithelial ovarian cancer and its correlation with drug-resistance.

KAP1 is a universal corepressor for Kruppel-associated box zinc finger proteins. In this study, expression level of KAP1 and its association with drug resistance and expression of P-gp and BCRP in epithelial ovarian cancer were investigated. Immunohistological staining of KAP1 in cancer and matched paraneoplastic tissues was evaluated in 242 patients with epithelial ovarian cancer. Immunohistological staining of P-gp and BCRP were also evaluated, and the associations with the expression of KAP1 in epithelial ovarian cancer were investigated. MTT assay for cell proliferation and clonogenic survival assay were applied to determine the effect of KAP1 on the sensitivity of DDP, through up-regulating the level of KAP1 expression of SKOV3 using KAP1 plasmid and down-regulating the level of KAP1 expression of SKOV3/DDP using siRNA. The results demonstrated that the expression levels of KAP1 in cancer tissues were higher than matched paraneoplastic tissues (t = 21.39, P<0.001). The patients with higher KAP1 expression often had drug resistance, and the level of KAP1 expression was positively correlated with the expression of P-gp and BCRP (P = 0.07 and P<0.001 respectively). Up-regulated the expression of KAP1 in SKOV3 cell line induced the up-regulated expression of BCRP and P-gp, increasing the resistance of chemotherapeutic drug, and down-regulated the expression of KAP1 got opposite effects. KAP1 expression correlated with aggressive clinical features in ovarian cancer, maybe through regulating the expression of P-gp and BCRP.

Elevated serum ferritin levels in patients with hematologic malignancies.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively analyze variability and clinical significance of serum ferritin levels in Chinese patients with hematologic malignancies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum ferritin were measured by radioimmunoassay, using a kit produced by the Beijing Institute of Atomic Energy. Patients with hematologic malignancies, and treated in the Department of Hematology in Nanjing First Hospital and fulfilled study criteria were recruited. RESULTS: Of 473 patients with hematologic malignancies, 262 patients were diagnosed with acute leukemia, 131 with lymphoma and 80 with multiple myeloma. Serum ferritin levels of newly diagnosed and recurrent patients were significantly higher than those entering complete remission stage or in the control group (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum ferritin lever in patients with hematologic malignancies at early stage and recurrent stage are significantly increased, so that detection and surveillance of changes of serum ferritin could be helpful in assessing conditions and prognosis of this patient cohort.

[Methylation of FHIT gene promoter region in DNA from plasma of patients with myelodysplastic syndromes and demethylating effect of decitabine].

This study was aimed to detect the methylation status of FHIT gene promoter region in the DNA from plasma of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), and to investigate the demethylating effect of decitabine. Methylation-specific PCR method was used to detect the methylation status of FHIT gene promoter region in the DNA from plasma of 4 patients with MDS before and after treatment with decitabine plus semis CAG therapy (among them, 1 case of newly diagnosed MDS, 3 cases progressed into acute leukemia). The results indicated that 3 cases were found to have an increased methylation in the promoter region. After treatment with decitabine plus semis CAG, increased methylation was reversed in 2 cases. In 4 cases, 2 cases displayed clinical response. It is concluded that FHIT gene hypermethylation is associated with MDS pathogenesis. Decitabine has demethylating effect on the FHIT gene hypermethylation of plasma from MDS patients. Detecting the methylation status of FHIT gene in DNA from plasma may play a role in MDS auxiliary diagnosis or prognosis.

Simultaneous determination of 15 steroids in rat blood via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to evaluate the impact of emasculation on adrenal.

Adrenal was believed to affect the prostate tumor tissue growth by its secretion of adrenal androgens. However, the mechanisms regulating these effects were not fully understood. In this work, a sensitive and specific method for the determination of 15 steroids in blood via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selective ion storage detection mode was established to evaluate the impact of emasculation on adrenal steroids metabolism. Steroids were isolated by solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridge, and then derivated with heptafluorobutyric anhydride before analysis. The limits of detection were between 0.15 and 1.0 ng/mL and limits of quantification were between 0.62 and 2.6 ng/mL. The recoveries of steroids were above 83%, and both the intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD%) were lower than 8%. Pregnenolone, progesterone, 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (17alphaP), 17alpha-hydroxypregnenolone (17alphaH), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estrone, 17beta-estradiol, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), 4-androstenedione (4-A), 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione, 11-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone, cortisol and aldosterone were quantified in 156 major male SD rats at 0, 1, 2, 4, 7 days, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 weeks following emasculation. T and DHT decreased by 86.2% and 73.4%, respectively in the first 7 days following emasculation, but adrenal androgens (DHEA, 4-A) stabled at the normal level accordingly. Adrenal androgens and their precursors (17alphaH, 17alphaP) increased from the 2nd week along with the increase of androgens and the decrease of mineralocorticoids. These facts revealed that adrenal possibly enhanced its function of producing adrenal androgens from the 2nd week responding to the low androgens level induced by emasculation.

Changes in the androgen levels in the ventral prostate of spontaneously hypertensive rats after castration.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the changes in androgen levels in the prostate after castration, as androgens are critical in the progression of prostate cancer after castration, but the time at which the androgen remaining in the prostatic cancer tissue after castration exerts its effects is poorly understood. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ventral prostate (VP) in adult male spontaneously hypertensive rats was excised at 2, 4 and 8 h, 1, 2, 4 and 7 days, and 2, 4 and 8 weeks after castration. The dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and androstenedione (4-dione) levels in the VP were measured simultaneously using gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Within 2 days of castration, the DHT and testosterone levels in the VP decreased sharply, while there were no significant changes in the DHEA or 4-dione levels. From 2 days to 2 weeks after castration (2-7 days for 4-dione), there was a sharp peak in tissue androgen levels in the VP (P < 0.05 for all androgens); during the subsequent 6 weeks after castration, all of the tissue DHT, testosterone, DHEA and 4-dione levels gradually increased with time. CONCLUSIONS: These data show the changes which occur in androgen levels in rat VP after castration and support the concept that the adrenal glands compensate for the loss of testicular androgen.