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Propranolol treatment affects ventral prostate blood vessels and serum testosterone concentrations in adult rats
Author(s) -
Plećaš B.,
Glavaški A.,
Solarović T.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
andrologia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.633
H-Index - 59
eISSN - 1439-0272
pISSN - 0303-4569
DOI - 10.1111/j.1439-0272.1997.tb00472.x
Subject(s) - propranolol , endocrinology , prostate , medicine , testosterone (patch) , vasoconstriction , antagonist , doxazosin , adrenergic antagonist , receptor , blood pressure , cancer
Summary The influence of prolonged β‐adrenergic receptor blockade on stereologic parameters‐ of the ventral prostate and serum testosterone concentrations was examined in adult rats injected with propranolol (0.1 or 0.4 mg kg ‐1 /day) for 15 or 30 consecutive days. Both doses of propranolol reduced the relative and absolute volume of the ventral prostate blood vessels. This effect was prevented by simultaneous administration of urapidil, an α 1 ‐adrenergic receptor antagonist, indicating that a compensatory vasoconstriction took place as a consequence of propranolol treatment. Serum testosterone concentration was significantly increased following the 30‐day application of the lower dose of the drug. These results show that prolonged administration of propranolol, although not affecting the epithelial component of the gland, may indirectly influence prostatic function by reducing the blood flow to the gland.