The effect of 5-α reductase inhibitor on Th1, Th2, and Th17 cell-related inflammatory response in BPH

To investigate the effect of 5-α reductase inhibitor on the expression of inflammation-related cytokines in Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) specimens after transurethral prostatic resection (TUR-P).

We prospectively examined the expression of inflammation-related cytokines with immunohistochemistry in the paraffin blocks of 60 patients who underwent TUR-P. 30 cases in the 5-α-reductase inhibitor group were treated with finasteride, 5 mg qd, for more than 6 months; 30 cases in the control group were not treated with medicine before operation. HE staining was used to analyze the difference of inflammation reaction between the two groups, and immunohistochemical staining was used to analyze the effect of 5-α reductase inhibitor on the expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Interleukin-2 (IL-2), Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), Interleukin-4 (IL-4), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), Interleukin-17 (IL-17), Interleukin-21 (IL-21) and Interleukin-23 (IL-23) in prostatic tissue.

There was no statistical difference in the location, range and degree of inflammation between the two groups (P > 0.05). When IL-17 expression was low, there was statistical difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). Bcl-2 expression was positively correlated with IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IFN-γ (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in the expression of IL-21, IL-23 and high expression of IL-17 between the two groups (P > 0.05).

5-α Reductase inhibitor can inhibit the expression of Bcl-2 in prostatic tissue and the inflammatory response related to T-helper cell 1 (Th1) and T-helper cell 2 (Th2) cells. However, it did not affect Th17 cell-related inflammatory response.