Pharmacological characterization of isolated human prostate

Area of Science:

• Pharmacology
• Urology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• The human prostate possesses alpha-1 adrenergic, cholinergic, and nonadrenergic noncholinergic neuroreceptors.
• Understanding these receptors is crucial for managing conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the contractile responses in isolated human prostate tissue using agonistic and antagonistic agents targeting specific neuroreceptors.
• To characterize the neuroreceptor profile of the human prostate.

Main Methods:

• Human prostate tissue samples were obtained from 37 patients undergoing prostatectomy for BPH.
• Tissue specimens were suspended in a tissue bath and subjected to agonist-induced contractions, with norepinephrine (NE) as the initial agonist.
• Tissues were pretreated with various antagonists (adrenergic, cholinergic, nonadrenergic noncholinergic) before exposure to a second agonist, and contractile tensions were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Norepinephrine (NE) induced the strongest contractile force, followed by dopamine, acetylcholine, bethanechol, histamine, and serotonin.
• Specific alpha-1 adrenergic receptor blockers, including terazosin, prazosin, and LY253352, showed significant differences in antagonism.
• The order of alpha-1 adrenergic antagonistic strength was LY253352 > prazosin > terazosin > ketanserin > SCH23390 > diphenhydramine > DO710 > dopamine > serotonin > histamine.

Conclusions:

• Human prostate neuroreceptors include alpha-1 adrenergic, dopaminergic, muscarinic cholinergic, 2A serotonergic, and H1 histaminergic types.
• Interactions between dopamine, serotonin, histamine, and their antagonists suggest potential receptor-receptor cross-talk within the prostate.
• Further pharmacological research may lead to novel drug development for treating bladder outlet obstruction in BPH patients.