Effects of Combined Administration of Nicotine and Caffeine on Adult Rat Prostate

Abstract

Objectives: Nicotine and caffeine have been shown to be a reproductive toxicant in animals and are associated with risk of cancer. The objective of this study was to evaluate the combined effect of these two drugs on rat prostate histology and serum testosterone level.
 Settings: King Fahad Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
 Design: Experimental study, animals were injected with 100 mg/kg bw of caffeine by intra peritoneal injection daily for one month, concomitantly nicotine was injected at 10 mg/kg bw three times /week by subcutaneous injection. Effect on rats' body weight, histological changes in the prostate, and on serum testosterone level were observed.
 Results: Nicotine at the tested dose causes increased interacinar space with reduction in stromal tissue (loose stroma), and also many congested blood vessels were noted in the stroma. The acini themselves become dilated and thin-walled with poorly infolded mucosa and reduction in the height of epithelial lining with flattened columnar cells. An increase in testosterone level was also noted with both the group treated with caffeine alone and with the group treated with both drugs with no significant effect on alanine transaminase or cholesterol.
 Conclusion: At the used dose, nicotine caused toxic effects in male rat prostate that can be antagonized by concomitant treatment with caffeine.