[Role of adiponectin in prostate cancer: A preliminary study]

To investigate the relationship of the serum adiponectin level with the development of prostate cancer (PCa) and its influence on the biological characteristics of PCa cells.

This retrospective case-control study included 45 cases of PCa and 50 non-PCa controls. We analyzed the relationship of the serum adiponectin level with the development of PCa. Using the lentiviral vector, we constructed a stably transfected cell line with adiponectin receptor deficiency, treated the PCa cells with adiponectin, and determined the influence of the adiponectin level on the biological behavior of the PC-3 cells by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, tube formation assay and scratch wound healing assay.

The level of serum adiponectin was decreased in the PCa patients as compared with the controls and it was negatively correlated with the Gleason scores. Adiponectin suppressed the proliferation, migration and tube formation of the PC-3 cells and inhibited them from transforming into S-stage cells. In the condition of adiponectin receptor deficiency, the PC-3 cells exhibited even greater abilities of proliferation, migration and pro-angiogenesis.

The decreased level of the serum adiponectin or deficiency of adiponectin receptor may contribute to the development of prostate cancer.