Serum and urinary measurements of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostatic specific antigen (PSA) in dogs

Effects of Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract on the Hormones, Serum Biochemicals, and Hematological Parameters in Dogs with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is the most common prostate disorder in non-neutered dogs and is often caused by androgenic stimulation or changes in the ratio of androgen to estrogen. Also, it is commonly seen in neutered older dogs. Clinical signs may not be presented, but persistent or intermittent hematuria, hemospermia, or a primary hemorrhagic discharge are usually reported. In this research, ethanolic extract of licorice root (EELR) was used as the treatment, which has various antioxidant and healing properties and can reduce lesions by establishing an antioxidant balance and reducing inflammation. For this experiment, 30 dogs of approximately the same age and weight were randomly divided into 6 groups of 5 each. The treatment groups received the EELR at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg separately, while the control group received no medications. At the end of the 9-week treatment period, biochemical and hormonal factors were measured and analyzed by blood sampling. The results showed that the EELR has multiple positive effects on the serum biochemical indices and also positively affects hormone levels, while it can decrease the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level in BPH dogs. In conclusion, the EELR can effectively reduce BPH-induced lesions without any side effects.

Changes in specific serum biomarkers during the induction of prostatic hyperplasia in dogs

BACKGROUND

Prostatic hyperplasia (PH) is one of the most important disorders in intact dogs. In this study, we aimed to induce PH experimentally using the combination of testosterone and estrogen and evaluate important factors associated with this disease.

RESULTS

The results showed that in the induction group, prostate volume and prostate specific antigen (PSA) concentration increased significantly on day 21 onwards compared to those of the control group. Canine prostatic specific esterase (CPSE) and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations increased significantly on day 42 onwards while the testosterone levels increased on day 63. In addition, prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) concentration did not change significantly in the control and induction groups. Biochemistry profiles and hematologic factors were measured for monitoring the function of liver and kidney, and there were no adverse effects following the induction of PH.

CONCLUSIONS

It seems that testosterone and estrogen administration led to prostatic hyperplasia during 2 months. Investigating the size of the prostate, accompanied by prostate markers including CPSE, PSA, DHT, and testosterone, is helpful for the PH diagnosis. However, further studies should be carried out on PAP.

Treatment of experimentally induced benign prostatic hyperplasia with Tadalafil and castration in dogs

New methods are being developed for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Tadalafil on the treatment of experimentally induced BPH in dogs. Twenty-five adult intact male dogs were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5): normal group; dogs induced with BPH and treated with Tadalafil (5 mg/day p.o.); dogs which received Tadalafil (5 mg/day p.o.); dogs induced with BPH and treated with castration; and dogs induced with BPH. For 4 sequential weeks, the hematologic and prostate-specific factors (dihydrotestosterone (DHT), serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), serum prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP), and canine prostatic specific esterase (CPSE)) were measured. Significant differences were observed in the level of PSA, CPSE, and PAP concentration between the normal vs. BPH-Tadalafil, BPH-castrated, and BPH groups. Treating BPH-induced dogs with Tadalafil or castration significantly declined the serum PSA, CPSE, and PAP levels compared to those of the untreated BPH-induced group. The treatment of normal dogs with Tadalafil did not affect prostate-specific biomarkers in comparison with normal dogs. In conclusion, and according to the prostatic indices, it could be stated that Tadalafil, compared with castration, could be used for the treatment of BPH in dogs.

Punção aspirativa com agulha fina guiada por ultrassom e biópsia por videolaparoscopia em próstata de cães

Onze cães, sem raça definida, machos, adultos, não castrados e hígidos foram submetidos à punção aspirativa com agulha fina da próstata guiada por ultrassom para avaliação citológica e, após um período mínimo de sete dias, à videolaparoscopia para obtenção de fragmento prostático para avaliação histológica. Nos exames citológicos, dois animais apresentaram alterações celulares compatíveis com hiperplasia prostática benigna. Durante a videolaparoscopia, a colheita do fragmento prostático foi realizada de maneira rápida, não sendo observada hemorragia significativa após o procedimento. Os animais não apresentaram nenhuma complicação no período pós-operatório. Verificaram-se, ao exame histológico, morfologia e estrutura celulares e teciduais nos padrões normais do parênquima prostático em 10 animais; um único cão apresentou alterações celulares e teciduais sugestivas de hiperplasia prostática benigna.