UPDATE - Issue 02 - January 1999
Research to improve treatment of benign enlargement
Dr Janet Mackenzie, of the University of Glasgow, is carrying out research, funded by Prostate Research Campaign UK, which could lead to improvements in the treatment of benign enlargement of the prostate (BPH).
One of the symptoms of the condition is slower urinary flow. This is due to constriction of the urethra by the enlarged prostate. This problem is currently alleviated by the patient taking alpha-blocker drugs which inhibit the contraction of the smooth muscle in the enlarged prostate. Dr Mackenzie's work is increasing our understanding of the "alpha-receptors" at which these drugs work. Better understanding of the mechanisms involved should lead to improved targeting and efficacy of the drugs used to treat patients with BPH.
Dr Mackenzie has been working with human cells taken from patients undergoing surgery for BPH. She has developed new methods of studying the receptors on such cells. The technique involves making the alpha-blocker fluoresce so that its behaviour with human prostate cells can be seen and photographed at reasonably high magnifications. The visualisation can also be carried out in real time so that the kinetic properties of receptors and their role in the cellular activation process may be studied.
The photograph shows the 3-dimensional distribution of the alpha-receptors on a live cell. The actual cell is shaped like a short fat cigar and in the photograph one quarter of a cell is shown after cutting the cigar lengthways and then cross ways. It reveals that the receptors are mostly on the cell surface. Detailed analysis also reveals sites within the cell which could be associated with the growth inhibiting effects of alphablockers of the type used, which might represent another beneficial action.