[Expression of Eag1 K(+) channel in prostate cancer and its significance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of the Eag1 K( +) channel in the prostate cancer (PCa) tissue, its correlation with the development and progression of PCa, and whether it could be a target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa. METHODS: We used RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry to determine the mRNA and protein expressions of the Eag1 K(+) channel in the normal peritumoral tissue of androgen-dependent PCa (ADPCa) (group A) and androgen-independent PCa (AIPCa) (group B) as well as in the tumorous tissue of ADPCa (group C) and AIPCa (group D). RESULTS: The relative coefficients of the mRNA expression of the Eag1 K(+) channel were 0.265 +/- 0.413, 0.167 +/- 0.511, 2.673 +/- 2.988 and 2.815 +/- 2.901 in groups A, B, C and D, respectively, increased significantly in the latter two groups (P < 0.05). The positive rates of the protein expression of the Eag1 K (+) channel were significantly higher in groups C (88.9%) and D (86.7%) than in A (7.4%) and B (6.7%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The Eag1 K(+) channel might be involved in the pathophysiological processes of PCa, and is expected to be a valuable target for the diagnosis and treatment of PCa.

[Impact of asymptomatic prostatitis on semen quality].

OBJECTIVES: To study the impact of asymptomatic prostatitis on semen parameters. METHOD: Based on the count of WBC in EPS, we assigned 152 patients with asymptomatic (type IV) prostatitis to Groups A (WBC + to + +) and B (WBC + + + to + + + +), and included 68 normal healthy men controls in Group C. All the patients were examined for the volume, pH value and liquefaction time of the semen, sperm concentration, sperm survival rate, grade a sperm percentage, morphologically normal sperm percentage, WBC count, and accompanying inflammatory cytokines. RESULTS: The semen liquefaction time, grade a sperm percentage and morphologically normal sperm percentage were (24.5 +/- 5.2) min, 20.0 +/- 4.1 and 10.5 +/- 4.8 in Group A, (30.4 +/- 5.0) min, 10.0 +/- 3.8 and 7.5 +/- 4.2 in Group B, and (18.5 +/- 5.3) min, 32.3 +/- 4.5 and 17.8 +/- 3.6 in Group C, with statistically significant differences between A and B (P < 0.01). The pH value, semen volume, sperm survival rate and sperm concentration were 7.6 +/- 0.3, (3.0 +/- 1.1) ml, 56.0 +/- 6.0 and (65.9 +/- 11.3) x 10(6)/ml in Group A, 7.7 +/- 0.3, (2.8 +/- 1.2) ml, 52.3 +/- 6.3 and (62.5 +/- 10.3) x 10(6)/ml in Group B, and 7.5 +/- 0.2, (2.9 +/- 1.2) ml, 62.1.0 +/- 5.3 and (87.7 +/- 10.1) x 10(6)/ml in Group C, with no significant differences among the three groups (P > 0.05). The contents of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the semen were (58.64 +/- 30.82) pg/ml and (50.57 +/- 27.48) pg/ml in Group B, significantly increased as compared with (17.68 +/- 5.65) pg/ml and (23.50 +/- 4.80) pg/ml in Group C (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Asymptomatic prostatitis effects significant changes in the major parameters of the patient's semen quality.