Fractal analysis is a useful tool for evaluating prostate tissue remodeling caused by ethanol consumption and androgen therapy

Alcohol has been widely consumed for centuries and is linked to the aggravation of diseases. Several studies have shown that excessive consumption of ethanol results in morphophysiological changes in the male reproductive system. One of the effects of ethanol is the decrease in testosterone concentration and hormonal therapies are an alternative to minimize the changes resulting from chronic alcoholism. Qualitative studies were commonly carried out to evaluate the male histopathological alterations resulting from ethanol consumption, being necessary quantitative and non-subjective techniques. This study analyzes the importance of fractal analysis as a useful tool to identify and quantify tissue remodeling in rats submitted to ethanol consumption and hormone therapy with testosterone. Prostate of animals submitted to chronic ethanol consumption showed tissue disorganization, which was confirmed by an increasing of fractal dimension. Regarding the prostatic stroma, collagen fractal dimension and quantification revealed lower values in animals that were only submitted to androgen therapy. Thus, we can conclude that the fractal analysis was a useful tool to quantify tissue changes caused by ethanol consumption and androgen therapy.

Protective effects of iodine on rat prostate inflammation induced by sex hormones and on the DU145 prostate cancer cell line treated with TNF

Molecular iodine (I₂) prevents oxidative stress and prostate hyperplasia induced by hyperandrogenism and reduces cell viability in prostate cancer cell lines. Here, we aimed to evaluate the protective effect of I₂ and testosterone (T) on hyperestrogenism-induced prostate inflammation. Additionally, the effects of I₂ and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) on cell viability and interleukin 6 (IL6) secretion were evaluated in a prostate cancer cell line (DU145). We also investigated whether the effects of I₂ on viability are peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG)-dependent. Castrated (Cx) rats received pellets of either 17β estradiol (E₂) or E₂ and T and were treated with I₂ (0.05%) in the drinking water for four weeks. The experimental groups were sham, Cx, Cx + E₂, Cx + E₂+I₂, Cx + E₂+T, and Cx + E₂+T + I₂. As expected, inflammation was triggered in the Cx + E₂ group (high inflammation score; increase in TNF and transcriptional activity of RELA [nuclear factor-kappa B p65 subunit]), and this effect was diminished in the Cx + E₂+T group (medium inflammation score and decrease in TNF). The lowest inflammation score (decrease of TNF and RELA and increase of PPARG) was obtained in the Cx + E₂+T + I₂ group. In DU145 cells, I₂ (400 μM) and TNF (10 ng/ml) additively reduced cell viability, and I₂ reduced the production of TNF-stimulated IL6. The PPARG antagonist (GW9662) did not inhibit the effects of I₂ on the loss of cell viability. In summary, our data suggest that I₂ and T exert a synergistic anti-inflammatory action on the normal prostate, and the interrelationship between I₂ and TNF leads to anti-proliferative effects in DU145 cells. PPARG does not seem to participate in the I₂-induced cell viability loss in the prostate.

Gender-Specific Impact of Sex Hormones on the Immune System

Sex hormones are key determinants of gender-related differences and regulate growth and development during puberty. They also exert a broad range modulation of immune cell functions, and a dichotomy exists in the immune response between the sexes. Both clinical and animal models have demonstrated that androgens, estrogens, and progestogens mediate many of the gender-specific differences in immune responses, from the susceptibility to infectious diseases to the prevalence of autoimmune disorders. Androgens and progestogens mainly promote immunosuppressive or immunomodulatory effects, whereas estrogens enhance humoral immunity both in men and in women. This study summarizes the available evidence regarding the physiological effects of sex hormones on human immune cell function and the underlying biological mechanisms, focusing on gender differences triggered by different amounts of androgens between males and females.

Therapeutic effects of β-caryophyllene on proliferative disorders and inflammation of the gerbil prostate

BACKGROUND

The prostate is susceptible to changes in androgen levels, which can play an important role in the development of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). Natural compounds have beneficial properties for organisms and can be an important therapeutic strategy in the treatment of diseases. β-Caryophyllene (BCP) is a phytocannabinoid present in several medicinal and food plants species and has shown beneficial effects in different organs. However, little is known about its effects on the prostate. The present study seeks to evaluate the effects of exposure to BCP on the morphophysiology of the ventral prostate of adult gerbils supplemented with testosterone.

METHODS

Animals were distributed into four groups (n = 8/group): Intact control (C); β-Caryophyllene (BCP): β-Caryophyllene (50 mg/kg/day); Testosterone (T): animals received subcutaneous injections of Testosterone Cypionate (3 mg/Kg), on alternate days, for one month and were euthanized 30 days supplementation ended; Testosterone and β-Caryophyllene (TBCP): animals were exposed to testosterone cypionate (3 mg/Kg) to induce hyperplastic alterations followed by daily BCP (50 mg/kg). Morphological, biometric, immunohistochemical, and serological analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Proliferative disorders and inflammatory foci were present in the ventral prostate of all experimental groups. An increase in the multiplicity of benign intraepithelial neoplasm and subepithelial inflammatory foci was observed in T group. The incidence of intraluminal inflammatory foci and microinvasive carcinoma was verified only in the T group. Cellular rearrangement and tissue remodeling occurred in the prostate of groups exposed to phytocannabinoids. A reduction was observed in the frequency of PHH3 and Cox2 markers in the prostatic epithelium of TBCP in comparison with T. A decrease in F4/80 and CD163 positive macrophages were also observed in the prostatic stroma of the TBCP group in comparison with T. The results suggest that BCP had favorable effects on BPH, reducing the proliferation and frequency of some inflammatory cells.

CONCLUSION

BCP impacts the tissue remodeling process in the premalignant prostate environment and that the use of this phytocannabinoid can have a promising effect in the handling of BPH.