Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the leading causes of male reproductive disorders. Therapeutic agents currently in use have severe side effects; therefore, alternative drugs that exhibit improved therapeutic activity without side effects are required. The present study investigated the protective effect of GV1001 against testosterone‑induced BPH in rats. BPH in castrated rats was established via daily subcutaneous (s.c.) injections of testosterone propionate (TP, 3 mg/kg) dissolved in corn oil for 4 weeks. GV1001 (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mg/kg, s.c.) was administered 3 times per week for 4 weeks, together with TP (3 mg/kg) injection. The rats were sacrificed on the last day of treatment, and their prostates were excised and weighed for biochemical and histological studies. Serum levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) were also measured. In rats with TP‑induced BPH, a significant increase in prostate weight (PW) and prostatic index (PI), accompanied by a decrease in antioxidant enzyme activity, was observed. Histological studies revealed clearly enlarged glandular cavities in rats with BPH. GV1001 (0.01 and 0.1 mg/kg) treatment significantly decreased PW and PI in rats with TP‑induced BPH. In addition, GV1001 demonstrated a potent inhibitory effect on 5α‑reductase in prostate. The present data suggest that the protective role of GV1001 against testosterone‑induced BPH is closely associated with its antioxidant potential. Additional studies are required to identify the mechanisms by which GV1001 protects against BPH to determine its clinical application.
International journal of molecular medicine. 2018 Jul 05 [Epub ahead of print]
Kyeong Seok Kim, Hun Yong Yang, Seung-Cheol Chang, Young-Mi Kim, Kwang Youl Lee, Byung Mu Lee, Hyung Sik Kim
Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi‑do 16419, Republic of Korea., Department of Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Gyeonggi‑do 16419, Republic of Korea., Institute of Bio-Physio Sensor Technology, Center for Proteome Biophysics, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of Korea., College of Pharmacy and Institute of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, Hanyang University, Ansan, Gyeonggi‑do 15588, Republic of Korea., College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Drug Development, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea.