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Expression patterns of vitamin D receptor in human prostate
1Department of Pathology, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261, USA. krilld@msx.upmc.edu.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry
|August 14, 2001
Summary
Vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression in prostate tissue changes with age, peaking in the 40s and declining thereafter. VDR levels are also higher in the peripheral zone compared to the central zone.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Endocrinology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Vitamin D and UV exposure are associated with prostate cancer risk.
- Vitamin D exerts its cellular effects via vitamin D receptors (VDR).
- Prostate cancer risk increases with age.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate age-related changes in VDR expression in normal prostate tissue.
- To compare VDR expression between peripheral and central prostate zones.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical analysis of VDR expression in prostate tissue.
- Tissue samples from donors across various age decades (10-69 years) were analyzed.
- VDR expression was quantified and compared between prostate zones and age groups.
Main Results:
- Mean VDR expression was lowest in the youngest age group (10-19 years).
- Nuclear VDR intensity increased up to the fifth decade (40s) and subsequently declined in older age groups (60-69 years).
- VDR expression was significantly higher in the peripheral prostate zone compared to the central zone.
Conclusions:
- Prostate VDR expression exhibits an age-dependent pattern, with a notable decline after age 50.
- The peripheral prostate zone shows higher VDR expression than the central zone.
- These findings contribute to understanding the role of vitamin D in prostate health and disease.