Figure 5.

Proposed carcinogenic activity of the increased AKR1C transcript levels in prostate samples of patients with type 2 diabetes. AKR1C1, C2, and C3 enzymes are responsible for prostaglandin 2α (PGF2α) and 9α,11β-prostaglandin 2 (9α,11β-PGF2) synthesis. These prostaglandins can activate the NFκB pathways and inflammatory processes that drive carcinogenesis. Furthermore, AKR1C3 is involved in the synthesis of androgen receptor ligands (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone) and may also induce the transcript of androgen receptors. The elevated androgen receptor signaling has been described to induce carcinogenic processes in PCa.