Endocrine, prostatic vascular, and proapoptotic changes in dogs with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated medically...

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Canine Urology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common canine condition linked to hormonal imbalances and prostate growth.
• Current treatments include surgery (orchiectomy) and medication (finasteride), but finasteride's optimal use in dogs requires further study.
• Understanding local effects and dosage is crucial for effective finasteride therapy in canine BPH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of varying finasteride doses and orchiectomy on canine BPH.
• To evaluate effects on hormonal profiles, prostate apoptosis, blood flow, and size.
• To establish optimal treatment strategies for canine BPH.

Main Methods:

• Dogs with BPH were divided into untreated, finasteride (0.1, 0.2, 0.5 mg/kg/d), and orchiectomy groups.
• Monthly assessments included B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography, and hormonal analysis (testosterone, dihydrotestosterone).
• Prostate biopsies at 60 days evaluated apoptosis (caspase-3) via immunohistochemistry.

Main Results:

• Orchiectomy and higher finasteride doses (0.2, 0.5 mg/kg/d) significantly reduced prostate volume compared to controls.
• Prostatic blood flow increased in the 0.2 and 0.5 mg/kg/d finasteride groups and orchiectomy group.
• Orchiectomy markedly reduced androgen levels, while finasteride showed dose-dependent effects on apoptosis and hemodynamics.

Conclusions:

• Finasteride at 0.5 mg/kg/d demonstrated effective prostate apoptosis and hemodynamic improvements in medically treated dogs.
• Orchiectomy induced significant prostate atrophy and substantial endocrine alterations.
• Both 0.5 mg/kg/d finasteride and orchiectomy represent viable options for managing canine BPH, with distinct mechanisms of action.