Fatty acid composition of phospholipids in epithelium and stroma of human benign prostatic hyperplasia.

BACKGROUND

Although it is well known that prostatic 5alpha-reductase is active only in its membrane-bound form, rather limited information is available concerning the composition of cellular lipids in human BPH. Therefore, in the present study, the phospholipid fatty acid composition and content in epithelium and stroma of human BPH have been investigated for the first time.

METHODS

Phospholipids separated on TLC plates were methylated and fatty acid methyl esters were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography.

RESULTS

The fatty acid composition of total phospholipids was significantly different between epithelium and stroma. In particular, the percentage of oleic acid was significantly higher in epithelium as compared with stroma, whereas that of arachidonic acid was significantly lower in epithelium than in stroma. In addition, significant differences between epithelium and stroma were found in regard to the fatty acid composition of the main phospholipid subclasses. Another remarkable finding were the age-dependent changes of the fatty acid composition in human BPH.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the fatty acid composition of phospholipids is significantly different between epithelium and stroma of human BPH. Furthermore, age-dependent alterations of the fatty acid composition were found. Further studies are needed to determine whether the endogenous hormonal milieu in the prostate modulates the fatty acid composition of the prostatic cells, as well as what impact such modulation could have on the properties of membrane proteins, i.e., enzymes like the 5alpha-reductase and receptors, which are thought to be affected by alterations in membrane fluidity or composition, or both.