Neuroendocrine Cells and Peptidergic Innervation in Human and Rat Prostrate

The prostate hosts neuroendocrine cells whose origin and functional roles warrant better understanding. These cells synthesize and deliver a number of neurosecretory substances having regulative activities over growth, cell differentiation, and secretion, and might influence the development of proliferative disorders such as hyperplasia or cancer. This study demonstrates that the neuroendocrine cell population from the transition zone of the human prostate was greater than in both central and peripheral regions.

"The prostate hosts an important amount of neuroendocrine cells which origin and functional role need to be better addressed. These cells synthesize and deliver a number of neurosecretory substances (serotonin, neuropeptides) having regulative activities over growth, cell differentiation, and secretion and might have a remarkable influence in the development of prostatic proliferative disorders such as hyperplasia or cancer. Moreover, the autonomous nervous system seems to be relevant in the maintenance of structural and functional integrity of the prostate, a wide variety of peptidergic fibres has been described in the prostate gland; such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) nerves, etc. There is evidence about morphologic and functional relationships between neuroendocrine cells and prostate nerve fibres, resulting in a neuro-hormonal system that might modulate the androgenic action on the prostate.

The Human Prostate.- The Neuroendocrine System and the Human Prostate.- Innervation and Neuroendocrine Cells in Both Normal and Hyperplastic Prostate.- The Prostate of the Rat.- Neuroendocrine Cells in the Rat Prostate.- Innervation of the Rat Prostate.