Fucoidan Ameliorates Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in Rats

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pharmacology
• Marine Biotechnology

Background:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent urological condition affecting men worldwide.
• Fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide from seaweed, possesses various beneficial bioactivities.
• This study investigates the potential of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan in managing BPH.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan in a rat model of testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
• To assess the impact of fucoidan on prostate size, hormonal levels, and specific biomarkers related to BPH.

Main Methods:

• Forty-eight Sprague Dawley rats were allocated into six groups, including control, BPH induced by testosterone, finasteride treatment, and varying doses of fucoidan treatment.
• Parameters monitored included clinical signs, body weight, feed consumption, prostate weight and index, and serum/prostate levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), prostate-specific antigen (PSA), TNF-α, and IL-1β.
• Apoptosis-related gene expression (BAX and BCL-2) and histopathological changes were also analyzed.

Main Results:

• Fucoidan significantly inhibited the increase in prostate weight and prostate index caused by testosterone.
• Treatment with fucoidan led to a significant reduction in prostate DHT and serum/prostate testosterone levels compared to the BPH control group.
• Fucoidan administration resulted in significantly lower PSA levels and demonstrated a pro-apoptotic effect by decreasing BCL-2 and increasing BAX expression.

Conclusions:

• Undaria pinnatifida fucoidan effectively mitigates symptoms of testosterone-induced benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in rats.
• Fucoidan shows promise as a therapeutic agent for BPH by modulating key hormonal pathways and promoting apoptosis.