Adiponectin deficiency contributes to the development and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia in obesity

The incidence of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is increasing among obese individuals, but few studies have fully explained the underlying mechanisms. We aimed to elucidate the relationship between obesity and BPH. Herein, we show that in prostatic epithelial and stromal cells, adiponectin exerts multifunctional effects including anti-proliferation, blocking of G1/S-phase progression and the promotion of apoptosis via inhibiting the MEK-ERK-p90RSK axis. Furthermore, we found that a high-fat diet (HFD) led to adiponectin deficiency and microscopic BPH in a mouse model of obesity. And an adiponectin supplement protected the obese mice from microscopic BPH. The present study provides evidence that adiponectin is a protective regulator in the development and progression of BPH and that adiponectin deficiency causally links BPH with obesity.