Relations between circulating levels of testosterone, 17 beta-estradiol, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, and androgenic receptor content of cytosol in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Cytoplasmic androgen receptor content was determined in 26 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia using methyltrienolone (R 1881) as the radioactive ligand. Their concentrations were compared with patient age, adenoma weight, and total circulating concentrations of testosterone, 17 beta-estradiol (17 beta-E2), androstenedione (A) and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S). Statistically significant inverse correlations were noted between adenoma weight and receptor content (p less than 0.05) and significant direct correlations between DHEA-S and receptor concentration (p less than 0.05), although the levels of this androgen were similar to those observed in a 'normal' population of the same age. The possible implications of these findings relative to the pathogenesis of the disease are discussed.