Over expression of PI3K-AkT reduces apoptosis and increases prostate size in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

INTRODUCTION: Even though the role of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathways and apoptosis has been well established in prostate cancer, there are no studies regarding alteration in the gene expression of PI3K/AKT pathway and protein expression of apoptotic components and their association with prostate size in Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Hence the study was designed to analyze the expression pattern of PI3K/AKT and apoptotic components in patients with BPH.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 27 BPH patients aged between 55 and 75 years were recruited in the study and prostatic tissues were obtained after transurethral resection of the prostate. Gene expression levels of PI3K and AKT were assessed by q-PCR. Apoptotic components like BcL-2, caspase-3, caspase-9, BAD, and p-BAD were analyzed by western blotting and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS: Gene expression of PI3K (p85-A) ( p  = .02), AKT1 (p  < .01) and AKT2 ( p  < .01), and protein expression of BcL-2 ( p  < .01) and caspase-9 ( p  < .01) were significantly increased in BPH patients with larger prostate size compared to smaller prostate size.

CONCLUSIONS: Overexpression of PI3K/AKT pathway and BcL-2 were associated with reduced apoptosis and increased prostate size in BPH.