STUDIES ON MECHANISMS OF THE ACTION OF ANDROGENS ON PROSTATE

(2ND REPORT) INHIBITORY EFFECT OF ESTROGEN ON 5α-REDUCTASE AND APPLICATION OF ESTRADIOL-17β DIPHOSPHATE TO TREATMENT OF PROSTATIC CANCER

Abstract

1. The activity of 5α-reductase from prostate was inhibited in vitro by supplementing the estrogenic compounds. Estradiol-17β showed the strongest inhibitory effect among tested samples.
2. Administration with estradiol-17βdiphosphate in vivo revealed a rather weak estrogenic effect, however, this compound showed significant inhibition of 5α-reductase when added to incubation medium of prostatic slices.
3. Treatment of 8 cases of prostatic cancer was performed with a daily dose of 100mg of estradiol-17βdiphosphate which was injected intramuscularly 30-65 times. The results of the treatment were very satisfactory and tumor-regressive effect was observed in all cases. No serious side-effect was observed during and after treatment except slight changes of the mammary gland seen in all cases.