Univariant analysis revealed that the insulin receptor content of the tumors correlated positively with tumor size (P = 0.014), histological grading (P = 0.030), and the estrogen receptor content (P = 0.035). There were no significant correlations between insulin receptor content and the age, body weight, menopausal status, and nodal involvement of the patients. These studies indicate, therefore, that the insulin receptor content is increased in breast cancers and raise the possibility that the insulin receptor may have a role in the biology of these tumors. (J. Clin. Invest. 1990Invest. . 86:1503Invest. -1510

Primary cell cultures from human fetal olfactory neuroepithelium have been isolated, cloned, and propagated in continuous in vitro culture for approximately 1 year. The two clones we report here synthesize both neuronal proteins and olfactory-specific markers as well as the putative olfactory neurotransmitter, carnosine. In addition, patchclamp experiments reveal that these cells are electrically excitable. Following exposure to a panel of aromatic chemicals one of the cell cultures shows a specific increase in intracellular cAMP, indicating that some degree of functional maturity is expressed in vitro. The results suggest that these cells originate from the "stem cell" compartment that gives rise to mature olfactory receptor neurons. These long-term cell cultures represent models that will be useful in studying the mechanism(s) of olfaction and the regulation of olfactory neurogenesis and differentiation.

Objective: Calcitriol analogues might represent an interesting new therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). We here report the preclinical characterization of BXL-628, an analogue selected for an ongoing double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled phase II trial in BPH. Design: Experiments with BXL-628 were carried out in human BPH cells and in the ventral prostate of intact and castrated rats. Methods: BPH cell and rat prostate growth were evaluated along with morphological and biochemical hallmarks of apoptosis. Results: BXL-628 inhibited human BPH cell proliferation and induced apoptosis even in the presence of androgens or growth factors. It also decreased prostate growth to an extent similar to finasteride, inducing DNA fragmentation and apoptosis, both in intact and in testosterone-supplemented castrated rats. Accordingly, BXL-628, like finasteride, increased the expression of clusterin, a prostatic atrophy marker. However, BXL-628 did not inhibit 5a-reductase 1 and 2, did not bind to the androgen receptor (AR) in BPH homogenates and did not affect AR-coupled luciferase activity. In addition, BXL-628 did not affect rat pituitary and testis activity or calcemia. Conclusions: BXL-628 inhibited in vitro and in vivo prostate cell proliferation, and therefore might represent a novel, interesting option for the treatment of BPH.European Journal of Endocrinology 150 591-603

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PurposeTestosterone by promoting different metabolic pathways contributes to short-term homeostasis of skeletal muscle, the largest insulin-sensitive tissue and the primary site for insulin-stimulated glucose utilization. Despite evidences indicate a close relationship between testosterone and glucose metabolism, the molecular mechanisms responsible for a possible testosterone-mediated insulin-like effects on skeletal muscle are still unknown.MethodsHere we used undifferentiated proliferating or differentiated human fetal skeletal muscle cells (Hfsmc) to investigate the short-term effects of testosterone on the insulin-mediated biomolecular metabolic machinery. GLUT4 cell expression, localization and the phosphorylation/activation of AKT, ERK, mTOR and GSK3β insulin-related pathways at different time points after treatment with testosterone were analyzed.ResultsIndependently from cells differentiation status, testosterone, with an insulin-like effect, induced Glut4-mRNA expression, GLUT4 protein translocation to the cytoplasmic membrane, while no effect was observed on GLUT4 protein expression levels. Furthermore, testosterone treatment modulated the insulin-dependent signal transduction pathways inducing a rapid and persistent activation of AKT, ERK and mTOR, and a transient inhibition of GSK3β. T-related effects were shown to be androgen receptor dependent.ConclusionAll together our data indicate that testosterone through the activation of non-genomic pathways, participates in skeletal muscle glucose metabolism by inducing insulin-related effects.