Isolation and properties of mast cells from rat prostate

Disorders of the prostate gland are extremely common in adult men and include prostatitis and benign prostatic hyperplasia. The former condition involves a generalised inflammation of the prostate gland and is characterised by a typical inflammatory infiltrate, including mast cells, into the tissues and prostatic secretions. Benign prostatic hyperplasia involves an increase in both glandular and muscular tissue in the organ. Part of the restriction of the bladder outflow following prostatic hyperplasia involves contraction of smooth muscle and may be due to the release of mast cell spasmogens. As little is known about the properties of prostatic mast cells, we have now isolated these cells from the rat.