title: Randomized, placebo-controlled trial showing that finasteride reduces prostatic vascularity rapidly within 2 weeks.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To measure expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and microvessel density (MVD) in the prostates of men after transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) following 2 weeks of treatment with finasteride.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-four men scheduled to undergo TURP were randomized to receive 5 mg of finasteride or placebo daily for 2 weeks before surgery. Sections of prostatic urothelium were stained for VEGF expression and for CD31 to assess MVD. Ten consecutive, non-overlapping high-power fields were analysed in a blinded fashion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 31 men received finasteride and 33 placebo; the groups were similar in patient age, resected prostate weight, preoperative catheterization, prostate-specific antigen level, aspirin use, spinal anaesthesia and postoperative diagnosis of prostate cancer. The mean (95% confidence interval) MVD was significantly lower in the finasteride group (60, 55-65) than in the placebo group (71, 64-78; P < 0.01). Similarly, the mean expression of VEGF was significantly lower in the finasteride group (47, 43-52 vs 61, 54-67; P < 0.001)
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Finasteride inhibits angiogenic growth factors leading to reduced vascularity, and this is the basis of its action in reducing haematuria of prostatic origin. The present study shows that finasteride influences the prostatic microvasculature after only 2 weeks exposure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Good Hope Hospital, Birmingham, UK. donohuej@mskcc.org
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Donohue
authors.forename: Dickon
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Hayne
authors.forename: Uttara
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Karnik
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Foster
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018120:Finasteride / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D011467:Prostate / Q000098:blood supply*; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D018120:Finasteride