Induction of apoptosis in rat ventral prostate by finasteride is associated with alteration in MAP kinase pathways and Bcl-2 related family of proteins

  • Authors:
    • Hung Huynh
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  • Published online on: June 1, 2002     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.20.6.1297
  • Pages: 1297-1303
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Abstract

Finasteride is widely used in treatment of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Treatment of rats with finasteride caused a significant decrease in ventral prostate weight and intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone levels while intraprostatic testosterone levels were increased. Finasteride inhibited Akt-1 and MAPK expression while expression of PTEN was significantly increased only at 100 mg dose. Basal phosphorylation of c-Raf, MEK1/2, MAPK and the transcription factor Elk-1 was significantly reduced by finasteride. The rate of prostate epithelial apoptosis is equivalent to 0.1±0.03, 0.6±0.18%, 0.92±0.24% and 1.42±0.3% on treatments with 0, 1, 10 and 100 mg finasteride per kg body weight, respectively. Concomitantly, these treatments led to a 2.5-, 4.0- and 4.0-fold increase in Bad while a slight decrease in Bax was observed. Similar elevations were also observed in Bcl-xs levels which increased by 9.8-, 10- and 12-fold respectively in the finasteride treatments as compared to controls. Bcl-xL levels in ventral prostates treated with 1, 10 and 100 mg finasteride were approximately 30, 30 and 26% of control, respectively. Significant reduction in Bcl-2 expression was observed only at the dose of 100 mg/kg body weight. These findings suggest that modulation of MAP kinase and Akt expression, Bcl-xL, Bcl-xs, Bcl-2 and Bad proteins by finasteride may be, in part, responsible for the anti-proliferative and apoptotic effect of this drug seen clinically and in animal models.

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June 2002
Volume 20 Issue 6

Print ISSN: 1019-6439
Online ISSN:1791-2423

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Spandidos Publications style
Huynh H: Induction of apoptosis in rat ventral prostate by finasteride is associated with alteration in MAP kinase pathways and Bcl-2 related family of proteins. Int J Oncol 20: 1297-1303, 2002
APA
Huynh, H. (2002). Induction of apoptosis in rat ventral prostate by finasteride is associated with alteration in MAP kinase pathways and Bcl-2 related family of proteins. International Journal of Oncology, 20, 1297-1303. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.20.6.1297
MLA
Huynh, H."Induction of apoptosis in rat ventral prostate by finasteride is associated with alteration in MAP kinase pathways and Bcl-2 related family of proteins". International Journal of Oncology 20.6 (2002): 1297-1303.
Chicago
Huynh, H."Induction of apoptosis in rat ventral prostate by finasteride is associated with alteration in MAP kinase pathways and Bcl-2 related family of proteins". International Journal of Oncology 20, no. 6 (2002): 1297-1303. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijo.20.6.1297