A dual 5α-reductase inhibitor dutasteride caused reductions in vascular density and area in benign prostatic hyperplasia

Dutasteride, a 5 alpha reductase inhibitor, could be associated with the exacerbation of inflammation in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

BACKGROUND

α-1 blockers and dutasteride are widely used as agents to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); the impact of these drugs on prostatic inflammation is still unclear. Herein, we investigated the impact of α-1 blockers and dutasteride treatment of BPH in terms of the degree of prostatic inflammation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tissue specimens were obtained from 143 BPH patients who were administered α-1 blockers up until their operation. Thirty-three of the patients had also been treated with dutasteride before the procedure. The degree of prostatic inflammation was quantified histologically by the ratio of high endothelial venule (HEV)-like vessels. We divided this retrospective cohort into α-1 blocker monotherapy and combination therapy (α-1 blockers + dutasteride) groups and evaluated clinical parameters of the two groups in relation to the degree of chronic prostatic inflammation. At the same time, we assessed factors exacerbating chronic prostatic inflammation.

RESULTS

Comparison of the monotherapy and combination therapy groups showed no significant differences in the parameters of the urodynamic study or degree of chronic prostatic inflammation, whereas the IPSS total score, voiding subscore, nocturia, intermittency, weak stream, and straining were significantly lower in the combination than the monotherapy group. The duration of α-1 blockers administration was not correlated with the ratio of HEV-like vessels, while that of dutasteride was strongly correlated (correlation coefficient = 0.595; p < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that the duration of dutasteride administration was a key factor exacerbating the degree of chronic prostatic inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed that despite their ameliorating effect on prostatic hyperplasia, dutasteride contributed significantly to chronic prostatic inflammation.

Characterizing prostate zonal shape changes associated with 5α-reductase inhibitors using MRI

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a prevalent medical disorder that primarily affects elderly males. It is distinguished by enhanced angiogenesis of the prostate, aggravating lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and diminishing overall quality of life. Dutasteride, a 5α-reductase inhibitor, has emerged as a significant therapeutic choice for BPH owing to its efficacy in reducing prostate volume. The objective of this study is to analyze alterations in the shapes of prostate zones resulting from dutasteride treatment of BPH, using MRI. We examined 19 drug-administered patients and 33 non-drug-administered patients. MRI sections of all participants before and after drug treatment were collected retrospectively. The transition zone and peripheral zone of the prostate were marked with selected landmarks using TPSDIG v2.04. Generalized Procrustes Analysis was used to analyze shapes statistically. Our results showed that the 5α-reductase inhibitor significantly altered the shape of the transition zone by narrowing its posterior part. There were significant statistical differences between the drug-administered and non-drug-administered groups in the initial and final shapes of the transition zone. These findings indicate that the use of 5α-reductase inhibitors yielded favorable outcomes in terms of prostate size reduction and amelioration of symptoms associated with BPH.

Does dutasteride reduce the bleeding in transurethral resection of the prostate in patients on antiplatelet drugs?

Background

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of a 4-week dutasteride treatment on reducing the intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, as well as the amount and duration of irrigation required to clear the urine after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) ≥50 g in men receiving the antiplatelet drug (APD).

Materials and methods

This double-blind randomized clinical trial included patients with a prostate size ≥50 g who were indicated for TURP and were already receiving APD. The study was conducted in the Urology Department of Cairo University over a 12-month period. Routine preoperative laboratory investigations were performed in all patients. Moreover, baseline prostate size, serum prostate-specific antigen level, and International Prostate Symptom Score were estimated. The patients were randomly divided into 2 equal groups (groups A and B). Group A, the dutasteride group, received dutasteride (0.5 mg) once daily for 4 weeks. Group B, the placebo group, received a placebo capsule once daily for 4 weeks. Both groups underwent bipolar TURP. Fifteen patients were excluded from the study; 9 patients from group A and 6 patients from group B, either due to drug intolerability or loss follow-up.

Results

The mean blood loss was insignificant between the 2 groups immediately after and 24 hours after surgery (Δ hemoglobin: 1.41 ± 0.63 g/dL vs. 1.48 ± 0.54 g/dL, 2.12 ± 0.70 g/dL vs. 2.31 ± 0.78 g/dL, respectively, p = 0.631, p = 0.333; Δ hematocrit: 2.97% ± 1.51% vs. 3.16% ± 1.36%, 4.96% ± 1.87% vs. 5.73% ± 4.39%, respectively, p = 0.610, p = 0.380). However, there were significant differences in duration of indwelling urethral catheter (5.10 ± 0.55 days vs. 5.80 ± 1.79 days, p = 0.048), duration of bladder irrigation (13.60 ± 2.85 hours vs. 16.33 ± 6.62 hours, p = 0.044), and the amount of saline used for bladder irrigation (11.03 ± 2.30 L vs. 13.87 ± 6.13 L, p = 0.046) between group A and group B. respectively.

Conclusions

Treatment with dutasteride for 4 weeks before TURP in men receiving APD did not significantly reduce intraoperative or postoperative bleeding after TURP but could significantly reduce the duration of indwelling catheter placement, as well as the duration and amount of saline irrigation.

Effect of preoperative finasteride on perioperative blood loss during transurethral resection of the prostate and on microvessel density in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: An open label randomized controlled trial

Objective:

Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) is a common procedure for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Previous studies on the effect of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors on perioperative blood loss in TURP and microvessel density (MVD) in the prostate are equivocal. We evaluated whether pretreatment with finasteride for 2 weeks before surgery can reduce perioperative blood loss in TURP and MVD in the prostate.

Materials and Methods:

Sixty-eight patients of BPH planned for TURP were randomized into two groups. The study group comprising 34 patients was treated with finasteride (5 mg/day) for 2 weeks and the placebo group comprising 34 patients received placebo for 2 weeks, before TURP. Blood loss was measured in terms of a reduction in the blood hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (HCT) levels between preoperative values and 24 h after surgery. MVD was measured in the resected prostate tissue stained with anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody.

Results:

The reduction of Hb and HCT in the finasteride group was significantly lower than the reduction in the placebo group (P < 0.05). The artery (P = 0.005), vein (P = 0.05), and gland (P = 0.008) densities were significantly less in the finasteride group than in the placebo group. There was no significant correlation between blood loss and MVD.

Conclusions:

Our study suggests a clear advantage of the preoperative use of finasteride for 2 weeks by reducing the perioperative blood loss in TURP in patients with BPH. While there is a significant reduction in MVD in the prostate on treatment with finasteride, it is not clear that this is the mechanism of reduction in blood loss in TURP.

WITHDRAWN: Transurethral Resection of Prostate and Bleeding: A Prospective Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial to See Efficacy of Short-term Use of Finasteride and Dutasteride on Operative Blood Loss and Prostatic Microvessel Density

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. The full Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal can be found at http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy.

The effect of two weeks of treatment with dutasteride on bleeding after transurethral resection of the prostate

PURPOSE

Dutasteride affects the prostate by reducing intraprostatic dihydrotestosterone and prostate tissue vascularity. We evaluated the effect of pretreatment with dutasteride for two weeks on perioperative and postoperative bleeding during transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighty-three patients who had benign prostatic hyperplasia together with the criteria for eligibility for TURP were included. The dutasteride group consisted of 40 patients who were treated with dutasteride (0.5 mg/d) for two weeks before surgery, and the control group consisted of 43 patients who did not receive dutasteride. Blood loss was evaluated in terms of reduction in serum hemoglobin (Hb) and hematocrit (Hct) levels, which were measured before, immediately after, and 24 hours after surgery. We also measured the durations of indwelling urethral catheter use, continuous saline bladder irrigation, and hospitalization.

RESULTS

Lower mean blood loss was observed in the dutasteride group than the control group immediately after and 24 hours after surgery (ΔHb=0.65±1.27 g/dL vs. 1.16±0.73 g/dL, 1.30±1.00 g/dL vs. 1.86±1.05 g/dL respectively, p=0.019, p=0.011; ΔHct=1.89%±3.83% vs. 3.47%±2.09%, 3.69%±2.95% vs. 5.39%±3.23% respectively, p=0.016, p=0.011). In addition, there were fewer days of indwelling urethral catheter use (2.95±1.02 d vs. 3.92±1.14 d, p=0.000), continuous saline bladder irrigation (1.81±1.08 d vs. 2.36±1.06 d, p=0.016), and hospitalization after TURP (3.95±1.09 d vs. 4.76±1.19 d, p=0.001) in the dutasteride group.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative treatment with dutasteride for two weeks before TURP reduces surgical bleeding and length of hospitalization after TURP. This pretreatment can be used to decrease surgical bleeding associated with TURP.

Short-term pretreatment with a dual 5α-reductase inhibitor before bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP): evaluation of prostate vascularity and decreased surgical blood loss in large prostates

OBJECTIVE

To investigate if short-term treatment with dutasteride (8 weeks) before bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate (B-TURP) can reduce intraoperative bleeding, as dutasteride a dual 5α-reductase inhibitor (5-ARI) blocks the conversion of testosterone into its active form dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and reduces prostate volume and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels, while increasing urinary flow rate.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In all, 259 patients were enrolled and randomised to two groups: Group A, receiving placebo and Group B, receiving dutasteride (0.5 mg daily for 8 weeks). Blood samples were taken before and after B-TURP for serum chemistry evaluation. In particular we evaluated blood parameters associated with blood loss [haemoglobin (Hb) and haematocrit (Ht)] and prostate vascularity [vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) immunoreactivity and microvessel density (MVD) using cluster of differentiation 34 (CD34) immunoreactivity].

RESULTS

Total testosterone, DHT, PSA level and prostate volume were evaluated and with the exception of DHT and PSA level there was no statistically significant differences between the groups. When comparing changes in Hb and Ht between Group A and Group B before and after B-TURP, there was a statistically significant difference only in patients with large prostates of ≥50 mL (ΔHb 3.86 vs 2.05 g/dL and ΔHt 4.98 vs 2.64%, in Groups A and B, respectively). There was no significant difference in MVD and VEGF index in prostates of <50 mL, conversely in large prostates the difference become statistically significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Dutasteride was able to reduce operative and perioperative bleeding only in patients with large prostates (≥50 mL) that underwent B-TURP. Our findings are confirmed by Hb and Ht values reported before and after the B-TURP and reductions in the molecular markers for VEGF and CD34 in the dutasteride-treated specimens.