Experimental autoimmune prostatitis: dihydrotestosterone influence over the immune response

In experimental autoimmune prostatitis in a rat model of chronic prostatic inflammation of noninfectious origin the prostatic 5alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentration decreases because of depressed 5alpha-reductase activity. This decrease in androgens in situ could favor the development of autoimmune status at the same time. We noted that a DHT increase could protect the gland from immune aggression and/or its consequences in regard to prostatic androgenic metabolism.

We analyzed in vitro the (3H)-DHT enzymatic bioconversion of prostate homogenates of male accessory sexual gland extract (MAG) immunized rats and MAG immunized plus DHT implanted rats (DSG rats), and performed ventral prostate histological observations. The specific cell immune response against MAG antigen(s) was studied by delayed type hypersensitivity.

In DSG and MAG rats, and controls enzymatic activities (3alpha/3beta-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductases) were 112.7 +/- 11.3, 91.4 +/- 15.0 (not significant) and 147.0 +/- 12.8 pmol per minute per mg protein (p <0.025). Histological findings in DSG rat ventral prostates revealed infiltrating mononuclear cell foci in lower quantity and less magnitude than in MAG rat prostates. Delayed type hypersensitivity values were positive in MAG rats and lower in DSG rats in relation to kidney treated and untreated rats.

Results suggest that constantly elevated DHT levels could decrease the cell immune response but not at significantly. In contrast, androgenic metabolism remains altered in the presence of exogenous androgens.