Correlation between Prostatic Atrophy and Apoptosis in the Canine Spontaneous Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia(BPH) Following Chlormadinone Acetate(CMA) Administration.

Abstract

In order to confirm the relationship between benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) regression and atrophic effect of chlormadinone acetate (CMA), the prostates of spontaneous BPH dogs administered CMA for 6 months were investigated histopathologically and immunohistochemically. Male beagle dogs (5-8 years old) were divided into four experimental groups; Group 1 consisted of untreated controls. Groups 2 to 4 received CMA 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg/day, p.o., respectively, for 6 months. In group 1, glandular hyperplasia of the prostate was clearly detected. In groups 2 to 4, CMA produced marked atrophy of the glandular epithelium. The interacinar fibro-muscular stroma was prominent. To evaluate the frequency of apoptosis, we counted the positive cells stained by the nick end labeling method. In group 1, the apoptotic index was 0.68 ± 0.03 %. In groups 2 to 4, apoptotic indices were 10.32 ± 0.96 %, 2.05 ± 0.88 %, and 1.15 ± 0.75 %, respectively. Apoptotic cell death was mainly observed in the glandular epithelial cells. Based on our data, regression of BPH after treatment with CMA may be apoptotic cell death.