Metabolic syndrome is associated with aggressive prostate cancer regardless of race.

PURPOSE: Recent meta-analyses suggest the Metabolic Syndrome (MS) increases high-grade prostate cancer (PC), although studies are inconsistent and few black men were included. We investigated MS and PC diagnosis in black and white men undergoing prostate biopsy in an equal access healthcare system. We hypothesized MS would be linked with aggressive PC, regardless of race. METHODS: Among men undergoing prostate biopsy at the Durham Veterans Affairs Hospital, medical record data abstraction of diagnosis or treatment for hypertension (≥ 130/85 mmHg), dyslipidemia (HDL < 40 mg/dL), hypertriglyceridemia (≥ 150 mg/dL), diabetes, hyperglycemia (fasting glucose ≥ 100 ml/dL), and central obesity (waist circumference ≥ 40 inches) were done. Biopsy grade group (GG) was categorized as low (GG1) or high (GG2-5). Multinomial logistic regression was used to examine MS (3-5 components) vs. no MS (0-2 components) and diagnosis of high grade and low grade vs. no PC, adjusting for potential confounders. Interactions between race and MS were also tested. RESULTS: Of 1,051 men (57% black), 532 (51%) had MS. Men with MS were older, more likely to be non-black, and had a larger prostate volume (all p ≤ 0.011). On multivariable analysis, MS was associated with high-grade PC (OR = 1.73, 95% CI 1.21-2.48, p = 0.003), but not overall PC (OR = 1.17, 95% CI 0.88-1.57, p = 0.29) or low grade (OR = 0.87, 95% CI 0.62-1.21, p = 0.39). Results were similar in black and non-black men (all p-interactions > 0.25). CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that metabolic dysregulation advances an aggressive PC diagnosis in both black and non-black men. If confirmed, prevention of MS could reduce the risk of developing aggressive PC, including black men at higher risk of PC mortality.

Ultrastructure of Psammobatis extenta (Rajidae) electrolytes and cytochemical localization of acetylcholinesterase, acetylcholine receptor and F-actin

1. The electrocytes from the electric organ of the Patagonian ray P. extenta are very unusual cells: semicircular in shape, multinucleated and highly polarized. They have an anterior, concave, innervated face, which exhibits positive histochemical reactions for acetylcholinesterase and for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Multiple nerve-endings are covered with Schwann cell projections, similar to those present in skeletal muscle. Their posterior face is convex, non-innervated and is in contact with collagen fibres. 2. The cytoplasm of these electrocytes possesses abundant filamentous actin (F-actin), orderly distributed in the cell and exhibiting intense fluorescence with NBD-phallacidin. The F-actin is in contact with Z-lines as in muscle, and in contrast with Torpedo (Kordeli et al., 1986, 1987) and Discopyge (Vidal et al., 1986, 1989a) electrocytes, where it is confined to the non-innervated face. 3. Electrocytes of this Rajidae are an ideal model for the study of F-actin because of the similar embryological origin with skeletal muscle tissue and also because of the peculiar characteristics of their cytoplasm, packed full with F-actin. In addition, electric organs could constitute an alternative biological source for the study of the cholinergic synapse.

Ultrastructure of Psammobatis extenta (Rajidae) electrolytes and cytochemical localization of acetylcholinesterase, acetylcholine receptor and F-actin

1. The electrocytes from the electric organ of the Patagonian ray P. extenta are very unusual cells: semicircular in shape, multinucleated and highly polarized. They have an anterior, concave, innervated face, which exhibits positive histochemical reactions for acetylcholinesterase and for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Multiple nerve-endings are covered with Schwann cell projections, similar to those present in skeletal muscle. Their posterior face is convex, non-innervated and is in contact with collagen fibres. 2. The cytoplasm of these electrocytes possesses abundant filamentous actin (F-actin), orderly distributed in the cell and exhibiting intense fluorescence with NBD-phallacidin. The F-actin is in contact with Z-lines as in muscle, and in contrast with Torpedo (Kordeli et al., 1986, 1987) and Discopyge (Vidal et al., 1986, 1989a) electrocytes, where it is confined to the non-innervated face. 3. Electrocytes of this Rajidae are an ideal model for the study of F-actin because of the similar embryological origin with skeletal muscle tissue and also because of the peculiar characteristics of their cytoplasm, packed full with F-actin. In addition, electric organs could constitute an alternative biological source for the study of the cholinergic synapse.(AU)