[Quantitative analyses of alpha-adrenoceptors in human prostatic capsule, adenoma and urethra--a comparison between...

The adrenergic alpha-1 and -2 receptors in the three layers of the prostate (capsule, adenoma and urethra) were measured in humans with or without benign prostatic hypertrophy to examine the differences between the hypertrophied and non-hypertrophied (normal) prostate. Both alpha-1 and -2 receptors were found to exist in similar amounts in prostatic adenoma of both hypertrophied and normal prostate groups. In the prostatic capsule and urethra of both groups alpha-1 receptors were more abundant than alpha-2 receptors. Both alpha-1 and -2 receptors in all three prostatic layers were found to be increased significantly in hypertrophied group compared to normal group. Further more the increases in alpha-1 and -2 receptors of hypertrophied group were most remarkable in prostatic adenoma. These results seems to demonstrate that not only alpha-1 but also alpha-2 receptors play some important roles in benign prostatic hypertrophy.