Abstract
This study investigates the inhibitory effect of astaxanthin (AST) on testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats. Except for the sham operation, BPH model rats were randomly assigned to five groups: the BPH model control rats, AST-treated BPH model rats (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 80 mg/kg), and epristeride (EPR)-treated BPH model rats. After treatment, as compared with the BPH model control rats, the prostate and ventral prostate weights of the AST-treated rats decreased, while there was a marked decline in the 80 mg/kg AST-treated rats. The same effect was also observed in the prostate index and ventral prostate index. The proliferation characteristics of epithelia observed in the BPH model control group were gradually alleviated in the AST-treated rats. As compared with the BPH model control rats, lower epithelial thicknesses of prostates and fewer secretory granules in epithelia were observed in the AST-treated rats. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of prostates increased in all the AST-treated rats with a significant increase in the 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg AST-treated rats. The testosterone (T) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels of prostates in the AST-treated groups were lower than those in the BPH model control group, and a significant decline was found in the T level of prostates in the 40 g/kg and 80 mg/kg AST-treated rats and the DHT level of prostates in the 40 mg/kg AST-treated rats. These results indicate that AST might have an inhibitory effect on T-induced BPH in rats, possibly due to SOD activity regulation and T and DHT levels.
Highlights
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to the progressive enlargement of the prostate gland and is one of the most common diseases in the aging male population.Approximately, half of men over 50 years of age develop benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) [1]
BPH is usually accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms and related complications such as urinary frequency, urinary retention, and urinary tract infection, which may lead to a decrease in the quality of life and even cause extreme annoyance and embarrassment
The levels of T and DHT of prostates in the three AST-treated groups decreased as compared with the BPH model control group; a significant decline was found in the T level of prostates in the 40 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg AST-treated rats and the DHT level of prostates in the 40 mg/kg AST-treated rats, albeit not in a dose-response relationship
Summary
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) refers to the progressive enlargement of the prostate gland and is one of the most common diseases in the aging male population. Half of men over 50 years of age develop BPH [1]. BPH is usually accompanied by lower urinary tract symptoms and related complications such as urinary frequency, urinary retention, and urinary tract infection, which may lead to a decrease in the quality of life and even cause extreme annoyance and embarrassment. BPH is typically treated with pharmacological intervention or surgery [2]. Notwithstanding, the first treatment option for many BPH patients is still pharmacological therapies, among which the main classes of medicine include 5α-reductase inhibitors and α-adrenergic blockers are currently used for symptom relief [3]. It is necessary to search for and use “safer” and effective alternatives against BPH
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
