A Mathematical Model for Predicting Putative Association between E2/T Ratio and the Development of Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in Rats

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) develops more likely with increasing age and changing serum concentrations of circulating estradiol (E2) and/or testosterone (T). In this study we explored the relationship between serum E2/T ratio and BPH risk in rats by fitting a mathematical model. A total of 176 rats were randomized to one of the following treatment groups: normal control, castrated control, and 20 more groups of castrated animals treated with increasing dose combinations of T and E2, once daily for 30 days. Serial blood samples were obtained to determine serum T and E2 levels by magnetic bead enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Prostate tissue was taken to measure prostate volume. MATLAB software was used to simulate the relationship between prostate/body weight ratio (PBR) and E2/T ratio with a mathematical equation. The values of PBR, E2 and T in the treatment groups were significantly higher than those in the control groups. Stepwise regression showed that PBR was a function of E2 and T. PBR = - 0.1782 + 0.0081 E2 + 0.063 T - 0.6 × 10-5 E22 - 0.28 × 10-3 T2. E2/T ratio change may be one of the risk factors for PBR, which is associated with the development of BPH.

Biology of reproduction. 2018 Jul 25 [Epub ahead of print]

Xiang-Yun Liu, Xin Liu, Li Xu, Bo Gui, Qin-Yu Yang, Jian-Yan Yan, Zu-Yue Sun

Key Laboratory of Exercise and Health Sciences, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China., College of Science, Donghua University, Shanghai, China., Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, China.