The Metabolism of Isolated Prostatic Tissue

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Abstract
Regulations produced by sex hormones on the carbohydrate metabolism of this gland were studied. The oxidative phase was measured by the O2 consumption in the presence of glucose and of pyruvate, with the formation of lactate and utilization of pyruvate under optimal conditions. The anaerobic phase was studied by determining glucose fermentation under optimal conditions for glycolysis. Data are included on the metabolism of human prostatic adenoma. In 4 dogs, a section of the left lobe of the prostate was excised and bilateral orchidec-torny was carried out. The metabolism of this tissue was compared with the untouched right lobe 31 days after castration. Two dogs were injected with diethyl stilbestrol, 6 mg. each wk. for 4 wks. and the metabolism of the prostate was detd. The results were as follows: The QO2 of normal dog''s and rabbit''s prostate are 4.3 and 6.2 respectively; the QLN2 are 4.3 and 1.9. The oxidative phase of carbohydrate metabolism is normally impaired as indicated by the presence of aerobic glycolysis (QLO2 in dog''s prostate = 0.97). Pyruvate is utilized by the prostate at a high rate when compared with the total O2 uptake: Q pyruvate, 5.66. The oxidative phase of carbohydrate metabolism is markedly decreased both after castration and after injection of stilbestrol. as indicated by diminished QO2, diminished Q pyruvate and increased QLO2, while QLN2 is unchanged. The carbohydrate metabolism of human prostatic adenoma is characterized by a low respiration (QO2 1.95), low pyruvate utilization (Q pyruvate, 1.92), high anaerobic glycolysis (QLN2, 5.4) and aerobic glycolysis (QLO2, 2.2). Evidently the [male] sex hormones take part in the regulation of the oxidative phase of the carbohydrate metabolism of prostatic tissue, their reduction producing a decrease of this oxidative phase.