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Zhao Y, Zhang Y, Li Y, Yang M, Yuan J, Cao Y, Xu L, Ma X, Lin S, An J, Wang S. Yohimbine hydrochloride inhibits benign prostatic hyperplasia by downregulating steroid 5α-reductase type 2. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 908:174334. [PMID: 34265299 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 07/02/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a frequently encountered disease in older men that affects sexual function and is capable of causing lower urinary tract dysfunction. Unfortunately, current treatment options for BPH primarily seek to address the lower urinary tract dysfunction aspect of the disease and do not improve sexual function. Yohimbine has been effectively used for decades to treat erectile dysfunction. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory effect of yohimbine on BPH and explore the associated underlying mechanisms. Thirty-six rats were randomly divided into the control, BPH, finasteride (1 mg/kg), and yohimbine (2, 4, and 8 mg/kg) groups. Except for the rats in the control group, those in the other groups were subcutaneously injected testosterone propionate (5 mg/kg/day) daily for a period of 4 weeks to establish BPH models. They were also administration the corresponding drug daily for a period of 6 weeks. After the treatments, in addition to determining prostate wet weight and index, the histopathological status of the prostate was observed, and the levels of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, prostatic acid phosphatase, the prostate-specific antigen, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and steroid 5α-reductase were determined. Specifically, the administration of 2, 4, and 8 mg/kg yohimbine inhibited prostatic index increase by 46.7, 55.1, and 69.3%, respectively, in BHP rats. Further, yohimbine significantly reduced the levels of dihydrotestosterone, prostatic acid phosphatase, prostate-specific antigen, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and steroid 5α-reductase, suggesting that it exerts beneficial effects against BPH by modulating the steroid 5α-reductase pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yani Zhao
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 710021, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 710021, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yao Li
- Key Laboratory Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Min Yang
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 710021, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiani Yuan
- Air Force Hospital of Western Theater Command, Chengdu, 610000, Sichuan, China
| | - Yu Cao
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Natural Medicines, School of Pharmacy, The Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Lu Xu
- Department of Chinese Materia Medica and Natural Medicines, School of Pharmacy, The Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xuexinyu Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, 712046, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sisong Lin
- Key Laboratory Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China
| | - Junming An
- Xi'an Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi'an, 710021, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Siwang Wang
- Key Laboratory Resource Biology and Biotechnology in Western China, Ministry of Education, Faculty of Life Science and Medicine, Northwest University, Xi'an, 710069, Shaanxi, China.
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Fang T, Xue ZS, Li JX, Liu JK, Wu D, Li MQ, Song YT, Yun SF, Yan J. Rauwolfia vomitoria extract suppresses benign prostatic hyperplasia by reducing expression of androgen receptor and 5α-reductase in a rat model. JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE-JIM 2020; 19:258-264. [PMID: 33341427 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2020.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Herbal medicine is an important therapeutic option for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a common disease in older men that can seriously affect their quality of life. Currently, it is crucial to develop agents with strong efficacy and few side effects. Herein we investigated the effects of the extract of Rauwolfia vomitoria, a shrub grown in West Africa, on BPH. METHODS Rats with testosterone-induced BPH were treated with R. vomitoria. Prostates were histologically analyzed by Hematoxylin and eosin staining. Proliferation index and the expression levels of androgen receptor and its associated proteins were quantified through immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting. Androgen receptor target genes were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The sperm count and body weight of rats were also measured. RESULTS The oral administration of R. vomitoria extract significantly reduced the prostate weight and prostate weight index in BPH rats, supported by the decreased thickness of the prostate epithelial layer and increased lumen size. Similar effects were observed in the BPH rats treated with the reference drug, finasteride. R. vomitoria extract significantly reduced the testosterone-induced proliferation markers, including proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1, in the prostate glands of BPH rats; it also reduced levels of androgen receptor, its associated protein steroid 5α-reductase 1 and its downstream target genes (FK506-binding protein 5 and matrix metalloproteinase 2). Notably, compared with the finasteride group, R. vomitoria extract did not significantly reduce sperm count. CONCLUSION R. vomitoria suppresses testosterone-induced BPH development. Due to its milder side effects, R. vomitoria could be a promising therapeutic agent for BPH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Fang
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China; Center for Veterinary Drug Research and Evaluation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Ze-Sheng Xue
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jia-Xuan Li
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Jia-Kuan Liu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Di Wu
- Department of Information, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Mei-Qian Li
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yu-Ting Song
- Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Shi-Feng Yun
- Department of Comparative Medicine, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing 210002, Jiangsu Province, China.
| | - Jun Yan
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Fudan University, Shanghai 200032, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Model Animals for Disease Study, Model Animal Research Center of Nanjing University, Nanjing 210061, Jiangsu Province, China.
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Herbert H, Flügge G. Distribution of alpha 2-adrenergic binding sites in the parabrachial complex of the rat. ANATOMY AND EMBRYOLOGY 1995; 192:507-16. [PMID: 8751108 DOI: 10.1007/bf00187181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The present study describes the distribution of alpha 2-adrenoceptors in the parabrachial and Kölliker-Fuse nucleus of the rat by employing the tritium-labeled alpha 2-receptor antagonist rauwolscine ([3H]-RAUW) as a ligand. The [3H]-RAUW binding was densitometrically quantified in five nuclei of the parabrachial (PB) complex in serial coronal sections. We found that cytoarchitectonically and anatomically distinct nuclei of the PB complex exhibit different numbers of [3H]-RAUW-binding sites. The largest number of binding sites was observed over the external lateral PB and caudally over the waist area of the PB. Lower numbers of binding sites were found in the remaining lateral PB nuclei, followed by the medial PB and the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus. In addition we disclosed that the internal lateral PB contains a very low number of binding sites while the external medial PB is marked by dense [3H]-RAUW binding. Also, the affinities of the binding sites differed between the PB areas. High affinities were observed in the external lateral PB, the remaining lateral PB nuclei and in the waist area of the PB, while the medial PB and the Kölliker-Fuse nucleus exhibited only low affinities for the ligand. Furthermore, saturation curves demonstrated non-linear profiles, indicating the presence of more than one population of binding sites in the PB nuclei for the radioligand. Our data demonstrate that the PB exhibits a distinct distribution of alpha 2-adrenergic binding sites. These correlate well with the cytoarchitectonically defined nuclei of the PB complex and with the pattern of ascending axons from the medial nucleus of the solitary tract and the area postrema terminating in the PB. Since a large number of these projection neurons utilize adrenaline or noradrenaline as their transmitters, we conclude that solitary-parabrachial neurotransmission to the forebrain is, at least in part, mediated via alpha 2-adrenoceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Herbert
- University of Tübingen, Department of Animal Physiology, Germany
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Fitch RH, Feder H. Neonatal prazosin exposure reduces ovarian weight and estrogen receptor binding in adult female rats. Int J Dev Neurosci 1992; 10:435-8. [PMID: 1492594 DOI: 10.1016/0736-5748(92)90033-v] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Exposure of estrogen treated adult female guinea pigs to the alpha-1 antagonist prazosin has been shown to reduce levels of estrogen binding in the hypothalamus and preoptic area. To further investigate this interaction between the noradrenergic and neuroendocrine axes, newborn female rat pups received an s.c. implant of prazosin (0.0125 mg/day for 5 days) or placebo. In adulthood, subjects were sacrificed by perfusion with DMSO on the morning of proestrous. Tissue analysis of the medial preoptic area, corticomedial amygdala, and mediobassal hypothalamus revealed that cytosolic estrogen binding was significantly reduced in all three areas for the prazosin treated group as compared to controls. Ovarian weight was also significantly reduced in the prazosin treated group, although uterine weight was unaffected. Interestingly, prazosin treated females showed a post-pubertal increase in body weight characteristic of ovariectomized females, while controls showed no such increase. These results support the existence of a significant developmental interaction between the noradrenergic system and the neuroendocrine axis as measured by ovarian weight and estrogen binding in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- R H Fitch
- Center for Molecular and Behavioral Neuroscience, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ 07102
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Roselli CE, Fasasi TA. Estradiol increases the duration of nuclear androgen receptor occupation in the preoptic area of the male rat treated with dihydrotestosterone. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 1992; 42:161-8. [PMID: 1567782 DOI: 10.1016/0960-0760(92)90024-d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Androgens and estrogens interact in neural tissues to regulate behavioral and neuroendocrine responses. As an initial attempt to identify the cellular level at which these steroids interact, we characterized the time course of nuclear androgen receptor (ARn) occupation in the preoptic area of the hypothalamus (POA) after chronic dihydrotestosterone (DHT) administration and determined whether it was modified by concurrent treatment with estradiol benzoate (EB). We found that ARn levels peaked (47.1 +/- 12.6 fmol/mg DNA) by 12 h after castrated rats were treated with Silastic capsules filled with crystalline DHT and remained significantly elevated for at least an additional 12 h. When EB was injected (2 micrograms/rat) at the same time the DHT capsules were inserted, peak levels of ARn in POA were reached sooner (6 h) and retained longer (48 h). Comparisons with other central and peripheral tissues suggested that this response was unique to the POA. These results suggest that estrogens may modify the response of POA neurons to androgens by altering the duration of ARn occupation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C E Roselli
- Department of Physiology, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098
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Brown TJ, Blaustein JD, Hochberg RB, MacLusky NJ. Estrogen receptor binding in regions of the rat hypothalamus and preoptic area after inhibition of dopamine-beta-hydroxylase. Brain Res 1991; 549:260-7. [PMID: 1884219 DOI: 10.1016/0006-8993(91)90466-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that administration of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC), a dopamine-beta-hydroxylase inhibitor, results in a decreased concentration of estrogen receptors measured in the rodent hypothalamus and preoptic area. To determine if this modulation of receptor content is region-specific, in vitro estrogen binding assays were performed on cytosol and cell nuclear extracts of microdissected brain regions from female rats treated with DDC. For cytosol binding comparisons, ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with 550 mg DDC/kg b. wt. or the saline vehicle 12 h before sacrifice. For cell nuclear binding comparisons, OVX rats received a maximal dose of estradiol 12 h after DDC or saline treatment and 1 h before sacrifice. No region-specific decreases in estrogen binding were observed in either cytosol or nuclear extracts. To further examine possible regional specificity, quantitative autoradiographic analysis of the in vivo hypothalamic uptake of an iodinated analog of estradiol, 11 beta-methoxy-16 alpha-[125I]iodoestradiol (MIE2), in OVX rats treated with DDC was conducted. Animals received a saturating dose of [125I]MIE2 12 h after DDC or saline treatment and 1 h before sacrifice. DDC treatment resulted in higher background levels of radioactivity and a trend toward higher uptake levels in all brain regions, but with no evidence of marked regional specific effects in any area of the brain. In tissue uptake studies, DDC treatment resulted in higher levels of radioactivity recovered from serum and neural tissues of [125I]MIE2-injected rats, suggesting that DDC slows the clearance of MIE2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- T J Brown
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510
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