[Effect of trans-4-hydroxy-3-methoxycinnamic acid (ferulic acid) on polyamine level in the rat ventral prostate]

Ferulic acid (FA) specifically inhibits the growth of the ventral prostate in rats not through antiandrogenic mechanisms (Saito et al. Experientia 35: 696, 1979). Levels of polyamines in the rat ventral prostate were determined before and after FA administration (10, 25 and 50 mg/kg BW, s.c., for 5 days). SD strain male rats, 5 approximately 7 weeks of age, were used. The ventral prostates were homogenized with 10% TCA and centrifuged. The supernatant was washed twice with diethylether, freeze-dried, and redissolved in distilled water. Then, the contents of putrescine, spermidine and spermine were measured by an isotachograph (LKB), using a leading buffer composed of 5 mM Ba(OH)2/15 mM valine, pH 9.94, and a terminating buffer composed of 20 mM triethylenediamine, pH 10.20. Total polyamines were reduced dose-dependently (12.12, 9.95, 9.10 and 7.74 nmol/mg wet tissue at 0, 10, 25 and 50 mg/kg FA, respectively). Spermidine was more sensitive to FA than spermine. According to the attitude of the Spermidine/Spermine ratio, the inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase by FA has been suggested.