Effect of sildenafil citrate in testosterone induced benign prostate hyperplasia rat model

Efficacy of treatments for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is limited because the disease has complex etiopathogenesis. Recent studies have demonstrated the presence of phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) receptors in prostate tissue. We investigated efficacy of sildenafil citrate in testosteron - induced BPH in rats.

The rats were divided into three groups. Each groups had 7 rats. Group 1 was control group. Testosteron propionate 3 mg/kg/day was injected subcutaneously for two weeks in Group 2. The same procedure was done for Group 3 and sildenafil citrate was added to water at daily doses of 2 mg/kg for two weeks. The rats were euthanized with intraperitoneal pentobarbital. The body weights were measured and the prostates were removed.

The mean weights of rats were 288±31.93, 345±23.23 and 294±32.86 g in Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The mean prostate weights of rats were 0.74±0.18, 1.3±0.13 and 0.72±0.24 g in Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Group 2 had statistically significantly higher prostate weights than the other groups (p<0.01). Relative prostate weight is calculated with ratio of prostate weight to body weight. BPH group showed an increase in relative prostate weight compared with other groups with significant difference (p=0.036 and p=0.040). There was statistical difference for acinar area between Group 2 and the others, no significant difference of number of acini, interstitial space and epithelial thickness. Group 2 has more papillary projections per acini than the other groups.

Favourable effect of sildenafil citrate on dimensions of prostate but not all on histological parameters was observed. We expect that PDE-5 inhibitors might be a treatment option for BPH patients if the studies support our findings in the future.