Human prostatic cells in culture: Different testosterone metabolic profile in epithelial cells and fibroblasts from normal or hyperplastic prostates

• Published in: The Journal of steroid biochemistry and molecular biology Vol. 58; no. 2; pp. 235 - 242
• Main Authors: Berthaut, Isabelle, Portois, Marie-Claire, Cussenot, Olivier, Mowszowicz, Irène
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01-05-1996
• Subjects: 17-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases - metabolism; 3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase - metabolism; Cells, Cultured; Epithelial Cells; Epithelium - metabolism; Fibroblasts - metabolism; Humans; Male; Prostate - cytology; Prostate - metabolism; Prostatic Hyperplasia - metabolism; Prostatic Hyperplasia - pathology; Testosterone - metabolism; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0960-0760; 1879-1220
• DOI: 10.1016/0960-0760(96)00019-2

The prostate gland depends on androgens for its development and the maintainance of its differentiated structures and secretory function. We have characterized the metabolic pathways of testosterone in isolated epithelial (NE) and fibroblast cultured cells from normal (NF) and hyperplastic (BPHF) prostates, in order to provide a tool for the study of androgen function in the prostate in defined conditions. In NE, 5α-reductase (5α-R) is the predominant metabolic pathway whereas in NF 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-OHSDHase) is the main activity. However, 5α-R in NF is 5–10-fold higher than in NE. Furthermore, a striking increase in both enzyme activities is observed in fibroblasts from hyperplastic prostates (5α-R × 8; 17β-OHSDHase × 250 relative to NF). Δ4-androstenedione coud serve as a reservoir for testosterone or could be a tentative protective mechanism directing testosterone metabolism towards an inactive molecule. In conclusion, human epithelial and stromal cells maintain in culture their main metabolic characteristics. The knowledge derived from these studies should facilitate the reconstitution and analysis of their interactions, which in vivo may modify their respective metabolism.