[The apoptosis and its relationship with the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and Bcl-2 proteins in prostate carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between the apoptosis and the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and Bcl-2 in prostate carcinoma (PCa).

METHODS

Expression of Bcl-2 and iNOS and apoptotic cells in 24 cases of PCa, 15 cases of BPH and 5 cases of normal prostate tissues were detected by immunohistochemical technique and terminal-deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), respectively.

RESULTS

Apoptosis index (AI) and iNOS-positive index of PCa were much higher than that of the benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and the normal prostate group(P < 0.01). The AI of the Bcl-2-positive group was lower than that of the negative ones in PCa(P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

AI might serve as a marker in evaluating the aggression of PCa. The iNOS-positive index of PCa had no relationship with the differentiated grades but had a negative relationship with the expression of Bcl-2. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was negatively related to PCa cell apoptosis. Both iNOS and Bcl-2 were believed to play roles in the pathogenesis and development of PCa by influencing the cell apoptosis.