Mammalian-like Purple Acid Phosphatases in Plants

Introduction Purple acid phosphatases （PAPs） comprise of a family of binuclear metal-containing hydrolases, some members of which have been isolated and characterized from animal, plant and fungal sources . PAPs not only catalyze the hydrolyses of a wide range of phosphate esters and anhydrides under acidic reaction conditions, but also catalyze the generation of hydroxyl radicals in a Fenton-like reaction, by virtue of the presence of a redox-active binuclear metal center. Inmammals,

Soybean(Glycine max)rhizosphere organic phosphorus recycling relies on acid phosphatase activity and specific phosphorusmineralizing-related bacteria in phosphate deficient acidic soils

Bacteria play critical roles in regulating soil phosphorus(P) cycling. The effects of interactions between crops and soil P-availability on bacterial communities and the feedback regulation of soil P cycling by the bacterial community modifications are poorly understood. Here, six soybean(Glycine max) genotypes with differences in P efficiency were cultivated in acidic soils with long-term sufficient or deficient P-fertilizer treatments. The acid phosphatase(AcP) activities, organic-P concentrations and associated bacterial community compositions were determined in bulk and rhizosphere soils. The results showed that both soybean plant P content and the soil AcP activity were negatively correlated with soil organic-P concentration in P-deficient acidic soils. Soil P-availability affected the ɑ-diversity of bacteria in both bulk and rhizosphere soils. However, soybean had a stronger effect on the bacterial community composition, as reflected by the similar biomarker bacteria in the rhizosphere soils in both P-treatments. The relative abundance of biomarker bacteria Proteobacteria was strongly correlated with soil organic-P concentration and AcP activity in low-P treatments. Further high-throughput sequencing of the phoC gene revealed an obvious shift in Proteobacteria groups between bulk soils and rhizosphere soils, which was emphasized by the higher relative abundances of Cupriavidus and Klebsiella, and lower relative abundance of Xanthomonas in rhizosphere soils. Among them, Cupriavidus was the dominant phoC bacterial genus, and it was negatively correlated with the soil organic-P concentration. These findings suggest that soybean growth relies on organic-P mineralization in P-deficient acidic soils, which might be partially achieved by recruiting specific phoCharboring bacteria, such as Cupriavidus.

Inhibition of Model Compound of Purple Acid Phosphatases on Growth of Aerobacter aerogenes Investigated by Microcalorimetry

Microcalorimetry was used to study the inhibitory or antibiotic action of six kinds of the model compounds of purple acid phosphatases on a strain of Aerobacter aerogenes . Difference in their capacities to inhibit the metabolism of this bacterium was observed. The extent and duration of the inhibitory effect on the metabolism as judged from the growth rate constant, k , and the half inhibitory concentration, IC 50 , varied with the different drugs. The rate constant k of A. aerogenes (in the log phase) in the presence of the compounds decreased with the increasing of concentrations. The experimental results reveal that the order of the antibiotic activity of the compounds is: LD 1>LD 2>LD 3>XF 1>LD 4～LD 5.

Comparative genetic analysis of Arabidopsis purple acid phosphatases AtPAP10, AtPAP12, and AtPAP26 provides new insights into their roles in plant adaptation to phosphate deprivation

Induction and secretion of acid phosphatases （APases） is thought to be an adaptive mechanism that helps plants survive and grow under phosphate （Pi） deprivation, in Arabidopsis, there are 29 purple acid phosphatase （AtPAP） genes. To systematically investigate the roles of different AtPAPs, we first identified knockout or knock-down T-DNA lines for all 29 AtPAP genes. Using these atpap mutants combined with in-gel and quantitative APase enzyme assays, we demonstrated that AtPAP12 and AtPAP26 are two major intracellular and secreted APases in Arabidopsis while AtPAPlo is mainly a secreted APase. On Pi-deficient （P-） medium or P- medium supplemented with the organophosphates ADP and fructose-6-phosphate （Fru-6-P）, growth of atpaplo was significantly reduced whereas growth of atpap12 was only moderately reduced, and growth of atpap26 was nearly equal to that of the wild type （WT）. Overexpression of the AtPAP12 or AtPAP26 gene, however, caused plants to grow better on P- or P- medium supplemented with ADP or Fru-6-P. Interest-ingly, Pi levels are essentially the same for the WT and overexpressing lines, although these two types of plants have significantly different growth phenotypes. These results suggest that the APases may have other roles besides enhancing internal Pi recycling or releasing Pi from external organophosphates for plant uptake.

Acid-Phosphorus Activity of Wheat Varieties Rhizobacteria of Uzbekistan

In this work, local strains of phosphate-solubilizing microorganisms were isolated and identified from the wheat rhizosphere and exogenous acid phosphatase enzymes of locally active phosphate- and potassium-mobilizing rhizobacteria belonging to the genera Escherichia, Rahnella, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, and Pantoea were studied. The efficiency of the physiological properties of rhizobacteria is determined by the production of soluble phosphorus, and the amount of phosphorus depends on the activity and biomass of bacteria that secrete phosphorus. This is done by phosphate solubilizing bacteria, and the habitat ecosystem is enriched with beneficial micronutrients. In these studies, active rhizobacteria activity of acid phosphatase in nutrient liquid was studied at different temperatures. Optimum pH activity index and temperature variability of enzymes were determined. It should be noted that in the most active phosphate-solubilizing strains the maximum enzymatic activity was observed in the culture fluid of R. aquatilis strain 17, which produced 1.086 μmol p-nitrophenol μmol/min/ml. P. agglomerans 22, P. agglomerans 20 and Ps. kilonensis 32 cultures phosphatase activity was 0.143 - 0.680 p-nitrophenol μmol/min/ml. It should be noted that the phosphatase activity of bacteria belonging to the same genus and species was very different from each other. That is, the enzyme activity of Rahnella aquatilis strain 17 was 9 times higher than the enzyme activity of Rahnella aquatilis strain 9. The pH optimum of sour phosphatase enzymes in Rahnella aquatilis strain 16 was 6.0. The optimum temperature of acid phosphatase activity was 45˚C and 50˚C. The reason for this may be that the strains were isolated in different soil and climate conditions. When the acid phosphatase activity of R. aquatilis 3, 9, E. cloacae 8 and P. agglomerans 22 cultures was determined at a temperature of 45˚C, it was observed that the enzyme activity increased by 2 - 4 times. Es. hermannii 1, Ps. kilonensis 26 and B. simplex 28 bacteria acid phosphatase activity was not significantly affected by temperature rise.

Effect of acid phosphatase produced by Trichoderma asperellum Q1 on growth of Arabidopsis under salt stress

Salt stress is a major environmental factor that inhibits crop growth.Trichoderma spp.are the most efficient biocontrol fungi and some of the strains can stimulate plant growth.Phosphate solubilization is known as one of the main mechanisms in promoting plant growth,but the underlying mechanisms of phosphate solubilization in the salinity still need to be explored.The Trichoderma asperellum Q1 isolated and identified in our lab is a beneficial rhizosphere biocontrol fungus with a high phosphate solubilization activity.It could produce acid and alkaline phosphatases when using insoluble organic phosphorus as the sole phosphorus source,the salt stress increased the phosphorus-solubilization ability of the strain and the activities of the two enzymes.Furthermore,an acid phosphatase was purified from the fermentation broth by ammonium sulphate precipitation,ion-exchange,and gel filtration chromatography.Its molecular weight was 55 k Da as determined by SDS-PAGE.The purified acid phosphatase was used to investigate growth performance of Arabidopsis thaliana by plate assay and the result showed that it contributed to Arabidopsis growth by transforming organic phosphate into a soluble inorganic form under salt stress.To our knowledge,this is the first report on acid phosphatase purification from T.asperellum and its function in regulation of plant growth under salt stress.

Soluble protein and acid phosphatase exuded by ectomycorrhizal fungi and seedlings in response to excessive Cu and Cd

Fungi and their symbionts can alleviate heavy metal stress by exuding soluble proteins and enzymes. This study examined the role of soluble protein and acid phosphatase （APase） exuded by Xerocomus chrysenteron, an ectomycorrhizal fungus, and the seedlings of its symbiont, Chinese pine （Pinus tabulaeformis）, under conditions of excessive Cu and Cd. The growth type showed that this poorly studied ectomycorrhizal fungus was capable of tolerating high concentrations of Cu, and may be useful in phytoremediation. X. chrysenteron grew well at 80 mg/L Cu, and the EC50 for Cd was 17.82 mg/L. X. chrysenteron also showed enhanced exudation of soluble protein in both isolated and inoculated cultivations under the influence of Cu and Cd. Soluble protein exudation, however, differed under Cu and Cd stress in isolates. In mediums containing Cu, soluble protein exudation increased with concentration, but in mediums containing Cd the content of soluble protein increased to a comparable level at all concentrations. This study demonstrated that soluble protein was related to heavy metal tolerance, although the different ions played different roles. While APase activity in exudates of fungi and seedlings decreased under Cu and Cd stress in comparison to the control, the APase activity in seedlings was maintained by inoculation. Thus, X. chrysenteron facilitated the ability of plant to maintain a normal nutrient uptake, and therefore to protect it from heavy metal toxicity.

Effects of Lanthanum and Cerium on Acid Phosphatase Activities in Two Soils

To evaluate the security of using thulium, comparision between effects of La and those of Ce on acidic phosphatase activities in red soil and yellow soil in Zhejiang district was studied under conditions of ambient temperature and humidity. Results show that the acid phosphatase from different soil respondes to La and Ce differently. The activity of acid phosphatase in soil 1 declines with the increase of the concentration of La and Ce. The maximum inhibitory ratio of La and Ce reaches 69.8% and 71.0% respectively. But La and Ce have stimulative effect on the activity of acid phosphatase in soil 2. Under the effect of same concentration of the thulium, the acid phosphatase in two soils increases with the extending of culture time.

Utilizing zebrafish and okadaic acid to study Alzheimer's disease

Despite the many years of extensive research using rodent models to study Alzheimer＇s disease （AD）, no cure or disease halting drug exists. An increasing number of people are suffering from the disease and a therapeutic intervention is needed. Therefore, it is necessary to have complementary models to aid in the drug discovery. The zebrafish animal model is emerging as a valuable model for the investigation of AD and neurodegenerative drug discovery. The main genes involved in human AD have homologous counter- parts in zebrafish and have conserved function. The basic brain structure of the zebrafish is also conserved when compared to the mammalian brain. Recently an AD model was established by administering okadaic acid to zebrafish. It was used to test the efficacy of a novel drug, lanthionine ketimine-5-ethyl ester, and to elucidate its mechanism of action. This demonstrated the ability of the okadaic acid-induced AD zebrafish model to be implemented in the drug discovery process for therapeutics against AD.

Molecular Characterization and Functional Analysis of a New Acid Phosphatase Gene(Ha-acp1) from Heterodera avenae

For sedentary endo-parasitic nematodes, parasitism genes encoding secretory protein expressed in the subventral glands cells always play an important role during the early parasitic process. A new acid phosphatase gene （Ha-acp1） expressed in the subventral glands of the cereal cyst nematode （Heterodera avenae） was cloned and the characteristics of the gene were analyzed. Results showed that the gene had a putative signal peptide for secretion and in situ hybridization showed that the transcripts of Ha-acp1 accumulated speciifcally in the subventral gland cells of H. avenae. Southern blot analysis suggested that Ha-acp1 belonged to a multigene family. RT-PCR analysis indicated that this transcription was strong at the pre-parasitic juveniles. Knocking down Ha-acp1 using RNA interference technology could reduce nematode infectivity by 50%, and suppress the development of cyst. Results indicated that Ha-acp1 could play an important role in destroying the defense system of host plants.

Detection of Ca^(2+)-dependent acid phosphatase activity identifies neuronal integrity in damaged rat central nervous system after application of bacterial melanin

The study aims to confirm the neuroregenerative effects of bacterial melanin （BM） on central nervous system injury using a special staining method based on the detection of Ca^2＋-dependent acid phosphatase activity. Twenty-four rats were randomly assigned to undergo either unilateral destruction of sensorimotor cortex （group I; n = 12） or unilateral rubrospinal tract transection at the cervical level （C3-4） （group II; n = 12）. In each group, six rats were randomly selected after surgery to undergo intramuscular injection of BM solution （BM subgroup） and the remaining six rats were intramuscularly in）ected with saline （saline subgroup）. Neurological testing confirmed that BM accelerated the recovery of motor function in rats from both BM and saline subgroups. Two months after surgery, Ca^2＋-dependent acid phosphatase activity detection in combination with Chilingarian＇s calcium adenoside triphosphate method revealed that BM stimulated the sprouting of fibers and dilated the capillaries in the brain and spinal cord. These results suggest that BM can promote the recovery of motor function of rats with central nervous system injury; and detection of Ca^2＋-dependent acid phosphatase activity is a fast and easy method used to study the regeneration-promoting effects of BM on the injured central nervous system.

Effect of noise exposure(85 dB) on testicular adrenocortical steroidogenic key enzymes, acid and alkaline phosphatase activities of sex organs in mature albino rats

Changes in the activities of Δ 5\|3β\|hydroysteroid dehydrogenase(HSD) in testis and adrenal gland, 17β\|hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in testis, acid and alkaline phosphatase in testis, prostate and seminal vesicle were observed in noise exposed mature rats at the intensity of 85 dB for 8 h/day for 45 days. The results indicated that noise exposed group showed a significant diminution in the activities of androgenic key enzymes Δ 5\|3β and 17β\|HSD, acid phosphatase in testis, prostate and seminal vesicle. There was a significant elevation in the activities of adrenal Δ 5\|3β\|HSD, alkaline phosphatase in testis and other accessory sex organ in noise exposed group. Gonadosomatic, prostatosomatic and seminal vesiculo\|somatic indexes were decreased significantly in noise exposed group. Therefore, it is evident that noise exposure at 85dB exerts a deleterious effect on testicular and adrenocortical activities.

Effect of Salinity on Germination,Seedling Growth and Acid Phosphatase Activity in Lettuce

The impact of salt stress (NaCl 100 mM) on two lettuce varieties Romaine and Vista was conducted at germination and early seedling stages. The seeds of lettuce varieties were provided by the Seed Laboratory of Tunisian Ministry of Agriculture. The seeds were germinated in Petri dishes with double filter paper in distilled water (control) or NaCl solution (100 mM) for 5 days. The result showed that salinity significantly affected percentage and rate of germination in Vista variety but 100% of germination was found in Romaine. Length and fresh weight of root and shoot were reduced significantly with salt treatment in two lettuce varieties. Regarding biochemical analysis, acid phosphatase activity in root increased in Romaine and decreased in Vista. In shoot, this activity showed no difference with the control in the two varieties. However in cotyledons, and during 24 hours after germination, salinity decreased acid phosphatase activity in both varieties whereas in the later hours (48 - 96 h) this activity reached the value of the control in Romaine and Vista.

Phosphorus Starvation Tolerance in Rice Through Combined Physiological,Biochemical,and Proteome Analyses

Phosphorus(P) deficiency limits the growth,development,and productivity of rice.To better understand the underlying mechanisms in P-deficiency tolerance and the role of Pup1 QTL in enhancing P use efficiency(PUE) for the development of P-efficient rice cultivars,a pair of contrasting rice genotypes(Pusa-44 and NIL-23) was applied to investigate the morpho-physio-biochemical and proteomic variation under P-starvation stress.The rice genotypes were grown hydroponically in a PusaRich medium with adequate P(16 mg/kg,+P) or without P(0 mg/kg,-P) for 30 d.P-starvation manifested a significant reductions in root and shoot biomass,shoot length,leaf area,total chlorophyll,and P,nitrogen and starch contents,as well as protein kinase activity.The stress increased root-to-shoot biomass ratio,root length,sucrose content,and acid phosphatase activity,particularly in the P-tolerant genotype(NIL-23).Comparative proteome analysis revealed several P metabolism-associated proteins(including OsCDPKs,OsMAPKs,OsCPKs,OsLecRK2,and OsSAPks) to be expressed in the shoot of NIL-23,indicating that multiple protein kinases were involved in P-starvation/deficiency tolerance.Moreover,the up-regulated expression of OsrbcL,OsABCG32,OsSUS5,OsPoll-like B,and ClpC2 proteins in the shoot,and OsACA9,OsACA8,OsSPS2F,OsPP2C15,and OsBiP3 in the root of NIL-23,indicated their role in P-starvation stress control through the Pup1 QTL. Thus,our findings indicated that-P stress-responsive proteins,in conjunction with morpho-physio-biochemical modulations,improved PUE and made NIL-23 a P-deficiency tolerant genotype due to the introgression of the Pup1 QTL in the Pusa-44 background.

Effects of Purified Indian Cattle Tick Rhipicephalus microplus Saliva Toxins on Various Enzymes in Blood Serum, Liver and Muscles of Albino Mice

In the present investigation, in vivo effects of purified ticks’ saliva toxin were evaluated on the level of certain important cellular metabolic enzymes i.e. acid phosphatase (ACP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and lactic dehydrogenase. For this purpose, sub-lethal doses, 40% and 80% of 24 h LD50 purified saliva toxins of Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini, 1888) were injected subcutaneously in the albino mice. In treated mice saliva toxins targeted membrane-bound enzymes i.e. serum acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase, its level was increased from 118.30% to 163.63% at the 6th hr in comparison to the control. Besides this, the levels of serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) also increased up to 161.11% (at 6th hr), 148.27 (at 8th hr) and 125.45% (at 6th hr) respectively in comparison to control. An increase in the level of LDH showed insufficient oxygen supply, massive disintegration of cells and leakage of the enzyme into the circulation. It clearly indicated the toxic effects of saliva toxins on the membrane of blood cells, hepatocytes and myocardial muscle cell functions in albino mice. On the other hand activity of acetyl cholinesterase was reduced by 65.51% at the 6th hr of the saliva toxin injection in comparison to the control. This inhibition of acetyl cholinesterase activity caused the accumulation of acetylcholine molecules at the synaptic junctions and led to prolonged activation of acetylcholine receptors. It caused permanent stimulation of nerves and muscle cells that may result in muscular paralysis and finally death of the animal.

Effect of Purified Paper Wasp Ropalidia marginata Venom Toxin Enzyme Activity in Blood Serum, Liver, and Gastrocnemius Muscle of Albino Mice

In the present, investigation effects of sub-lethal dose of purified paper wasp Ropalidia marginata venom toxins were evaluated on important metabolic enzymes i.e. ALP ACP, GPT, GOT, LDH, and AchE enzyme activity in serum, liver, and gastrocnemius muscles of albino mice. Alkaline phosphatase was found to be increased up to 119.9% at the 6th hr of the toxin injection in comparison to control. This elevation may be due to cytolysis. Maximum increase i.e., 153.33% level of glutamate pyruvate transaminase (GPT) was found at 6 hrs of 40% of 24-h LD50 treatment while it was found to be 151.1% at 6 hrs of 24 hr 80% of LD50, venom injection. A significant elevation was observed in LDH activity in serum, liver, and muscles, while the activity of AchE was decreased in serum, liver, and gastrocnemius muscles of albino mice after injecting the sub-lethal dose of Ropalidia marginata venom. This increase in the activity of LDH produces liver damage, massive disintegration and necrosis of hepatic cells. This elevation in LDH level led to a significant increase in the glucose catabolism and elevated oxidative stress in muscle and liver cells. It also displays insufficient oxygen supply and consequently leads to cell death. In experimental animals, venom toxin treatment decreased AchE level, and animals showed muscular paralysis. When mice were treated with 40% and 80% of 24-h LD50 of purified venom caused a significant (p < 0.05) elevation in the level of ACP, GOT, GPT, and LDH while the reduction in ALP and AChE level. Present study will be useful in the development of prototypes for study of pharmacological and therapeutic effects of various venom toxins. For this purpose structure activity relationship of enzyme and venom toxin, its due interaction to various metabolic enzymes and receptors must be explored.

Effects of lead exposure on histological structure and antioxidant capacity in the cerebellum of 30-day-old mice

The current study sought to observe the effects of lead on histological structure and antioxidant capacity in 30-day-old mice.Spectrophotometry was used to detect the activities of superoxide dismutase,catalase,alkaline phosphatase,acid phosphatase and the malondialdehyde content.The results revealed that Purkinje cells in the lead-exposed group exhibited obvious pyknosis,atrophy and a decrease in overall number.Granular cells exhibited a disorderly arrangement,and were reduced in number.Administration of lead decreased the activities of superoxide dismutase,catalase,alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase,while malondialdehyde content increased.Two-way analysis of variance indicated that dose contributed more to lead-induced cerebellum damage than treatment time.The present study demonstrated that lead exerted strong effects on histological structure and inhibited antioxidant capacity of the cerebellum in 30-day-old mice.

Autophagy Plays a Potential Role in the Process of Sea Cucumber Body Wall “Melting” Induced by UV Irradiation

The changes of tissue appearances and structures in the process of UV-induced ＂melting＂ for sea cucumber （Stichopus japonicus） body wall were studied. And the localization and determination of acid phosphatase （ACP）, Cathepsin B and Cathepsin L activities were also investigated. The results show that the connective tissue was damaged with many hollows emerging and the regular collagen bundles were broken apart into irregular fragments. Margination of condensed chromatin at the nuclear membrane was observed. Both Golgi＇s body and endoplasmic reticulure swelled, curled, and eventually double- or multi-lamellar vesicles were formed. A number of autophagic vesicles distributed in all through the whole cytoplasm. ACP becomes more active after UV irradiation. The activities of cathepsin B and cathepsin L increased in UV-treated sea cucumbers and both achieved their maximum under certain conditions, It indicates that autophagy plays a potential role in the ＂melting＂ process for sea cucumber body wall induced by UV irradiation.

Olive leaf extract inhibits lead poisoning-induced brain injury

Olive leaves have an antioxidant capacity, and olive leaf extract can protect the blood, spleen and hippocampus in lead-poisoned mice. However, little is known about the effects of olive leaf extract on lead-induced brain injury. This study was designed to determine whether olive leaf extract can inhibit lead-induced brain injury, and whether this effect is associated with antioxidant capacity. First, we established a mouse model of lead poisoning by continuous intragastric administration of lead acetate for 30 days. Two hours after successful model establishment, lead-poisoned mice were given olive leaf extract at doses of 250, 500 or 1 000 mg/kg daily by intragastric administration for 50 days. Under the transmission electron microscope, olive leaf extract attenuated neuronal and capillary injury and reduced damage to organelles and the matrix around the capillaries in the frontal lobe of the cerebral cortex in the lead-poisoned mice. Olive leaf extract at a dose of 1 000 mg/kg had the greatest protective effect. Spectrophotometry showed that olive leaf extract significantly in- creased the activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, alkaline phosphatase and acid phes- phatase, while it reduced malondialdehyde content, in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, immunohistochemical staining revealed that olive leaf extract dose-dependently decreased Bax protein expression in the cerebral cortex of lead-poisoned mice. Our findings indicate that olive leaf extract can inhibit lead-induced brain injury by increasing antioxidant capacity and reducing apop- tosis.

Effect of adrenalectomy and hydrocortisone on ventral prostate of rats

Aim: To study the effects of adrenalectomy and hydrocortisone on the ventral prostate of SD rats. Methods: Inadrenalectomised (ADX) and ADX + hydrocortisone (1, 2, or 4 mg) treated rats, the prostatic histology and thecholesterol, protein, zinc, and copper levels and the enzymic profile (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, aryl sul-phatase, lactic dehydrogenase, and leucine aminopeptidase) in the prostatic tissue were determined; the serum hormon-al profile (testosterone, FSH and LH) was also assayed. Results; Adrenalectomy caused a progressive degenerationin prostatic structure that was not reversed by hydrocortisone treatment. The serum testosterone were significantly lowerin ADX than in sham operated rats and lower in ADX + hydrocortisone than in ADX-C rats (P < 0.01). The serumFSH and LH were below the detection limit of 1 mIU/mL. The enzymatic activity was higher in ADX than in sham op-erated rats and higher in ADX + hydrocortisone than in ADX-C rats (P<0.05-0.01). The prostatic zinc levels weresignificantly higher in sham operated than in ADX, and higher in ADX-C than in ADX + hydrocortisone rats (P < 0.05-0.01). The prostatic copper level was significantly lower in sham operated than in ADX, and lower in ADX-C thanin the ADX + hydrocortisone rats (P <0.01). Conclusion; In rats, adrenalectomy leads to pathological and func-tional changes of the prostate. Hydrocortisone treatment at the doses employed did not reverse these changes. (Asian JAndrol 2001 Dec; 3: 289 - 300)