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Ultrasonography of the Adult Male Urinary Tract for Urinary Functional Testing
Published on: August 14, 2019
Fat boosts, while androgen receptor activation counteracts, BPH-associated prostate inflammation
Linda Vignozzi1, Mauro Gacci, Ilaria Cellai
1Sexual Medicine and Andrology Unit, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
The Prostate
|April 27, 2013
Summary
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) are linked by inflammation. Dyslipidemia and insulin may worsen BPH inflammation, while testosterone (T) conversion to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may offer protective benefits.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Endocrinology
- Inflammation Research
Background:
- Metabolic syndrome (MetS) and benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) frequently coexist.
- Chronic inflammation is a key factor in BPH pathogenesis and may link MetS and BPH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between MetS and prostatic inflammation in BPH patients.
- To explore the in vitro inflammatory effects of metabolic factors on human prostatic myofibroblastic cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of prostatectomy specimens from 244 BPH patients to assess inflammation.
- In vitro studies using human prostatic myofibroblastic cells (hBPH) exposed to metabolic insults.
Main Results:
- Prostatic inflammation scores correlated with the number of MetS factors.
- Dyslipidemia (reduced HDL, elevated triglycerides) and hypogonadism were associated with increased inflammation.
- Oxidized LDL (oxLDL) significantly increased IL-8 secretion in hBPH cells; dihydrotestosterone (DHT) inhibited this effect.
Conclusions:
- Lipids and insulin may promote BPH inflammation.
- Testosterone (T), via conversion to DHT, may exert protective effects against metabolic-induced prostate alterations.
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