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Prostate apoptosis after doxazosin treatment in the spontaneous hypertensive rat model
Author(s) -
Lujan M.,
Ferruelo A.,
Paez A.,
Moreno A.,
Berenguer A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2003.04627.x
Subject(s) - doxazosin , hyperplasia , apoptosis , prostate , medicine , endocrinology , chemistry , cancer , biochemistry , blood pressure
OBJECTIVE To validate the spontaneous hypertensive rat (SHR) model for basic research into benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), and to assess doxazosin‐induced changes in prostatic structure and apoptotic status. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four groups of rats were assessed: group 1, 15 SHRs treated with doxazosin; group 2, 14 SHRs with unilateral excision of the major pelvic ganglion; group 3, 14 untreated SHRs; and group 4, 16 intact Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats. The doxazosin mesylate (0.03 mg daily) was given compacted in rat food for 3 months. The prostatic ventral lobe (VL) was excised and weighed. Stereological light microscopy, multiplex reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction of prostate caspases, and caspase‐3 activity (cellular enzymatic assay) were assessed. RESULTS There was more development of the glandular epithelium ( P < 0.001) in SHR rats than in controls, which was even greater after doxazosin exposure ( P = 0.027). SHR animals had higher caspase expression ( P < 0.05) and activity ( P = 0.008) than WKY rats, but both were reduced after doxazosin therapy ( P < 0.01 and 0.028, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study confirmed prostate hyperplasia in the SHR model. Doxazosin exposure did not reduce the volume of glandular epithelium and contributed to protecting against caspase‐induced apoptosis. The SHR model may be not a valid option to study doxazosin‐induced apoptosis in BPH.