Objectives: To investigate the effects of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its antireceptor antibody on prostatic blood flow regulation using a rat model. We estimated that PGE2 participated in the signaling pathway of hormonal regulation of the prostatic blood flow.
Methods: The rats were castrated and injected locally with dihydrotestosterone (200 ng/head) or PGE2 (250 ng/head) directly into the prostatic membrane. After local dihydrotestosterone or PGE2 administration, anti-PGE2 receptor antibody (200 ng/head) was injected locally to investigate interruption of the signaling pathway. After administration, we evaluated the relative prostatic blood flow using a laser blood flow meter. The change in cyclooxgenase-2 mRNA expression and the changes in PGE2 concentration in response to androgen stimulation were also examined.
Results: PGE2 was involved in blood flow regulation with activity equal to that of androgen. The effect of dihydrotestosterone was abolished by coadministration with anti-PGE2 receptor antibody. Cyclooxgenase-2 gene expression was upregulated in response to androgen stimulation. The PGE2 concentration also increased in response to androgen stimulation.
Conclusions: Our finding of PGE2 participation in androgen regulation of prostatic blood flow might lead to pathophysiologic elucidation of prostatic diseases.