Immunocytochemical Localization of Glutathione-Peroxidase (GSH-PO) and Bcl-2 in the Rat Ventral Prostate

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In order to confirm the relationship between glutathione-peroxidase (GSH-PO) and Bcl-2, we have studied the immunocytochemical localization of GSH-PO, Bcl-2, androgen receptor (AR) and apoptosis in the rat ventral prostatic cells in the presence and absence of testosterone. Male Crj:CD (SD) IGS rats were divided into four experimental groups. Group 1 consisted of untreated controls. In group 2, rats were sacrificed two days after castration. In groups 3 and 4, rats were subcutaneously administered 1 mg/animal of testosterone daily for 3 or 7 days after two days of castration, respectively. In group 1, GSH-PO was predominantly observed in the glandular epithelial cells. Bcl-2 was localized exclusively in the cytoplasm of the glandular epithelial cells. AR was localized in the nuclei of the glandular epithelial cells. In group 2, the intensity of the staining of GSH-PO, Bcl-2 and AR markedly decreased. However, the number of apoptotic cells (apoptotic index) markedly increased. In groups 3 and 4, the immunoreactivities of GSH-PO, Bcl-2 and AR clearly recovered. These findings strongly suggest that the expression of GSH-PO and Bcl-2 in the glandular epithelial cells of the rat ventral prostate is testosterone-dependent. Furthermore, co-expression of GSH-PO and Bcl-2 in the prostatic cells are considered to be normal or adaptive aspects of the cells.