Objective: To observe the expression of estrogen receptor-beta (ERbeta) in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) complicated by chronic prostatitis, and to evaluate the correlation of chronic prostatitis with ERbeta expression.
Methods: Histological sections of prostate tissues were obtained from 60 BPH patients complicated by chronic prostatitis and divided into Group 1 (Grade 1), 2 (Grade 2) and 3 (Grade 3) according to the scores on the inflammation of the prostate tissues using the four-point scale designed by Irani et al. The expression of ERbeta was determined by the immunohistochemical method.
Results: There were 24 cases (40%) in Group 1, 21 (35%) in Group 2 and 15 (25%) in Group 3, with no statistically significant differences in age and prostate volume among the three groups (P > 0.05). The expression of ERbeta was significantly decreased in Groups 2 and 3 as compared with Group 1 (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The expression of ERbeta is reduced with increased scores on the inflammation of the prostate tissues in BPH patients, and the decreased ERbeta expression may be associated with the inflammatory stimulation of prostatitis.