title: Regulation of prostate 5alpha-reductase-2 gene expression and prostate weight by dietary fat and caloric intake in the rat.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  High-fat diet is a major risk factor for prostate cancer. 5alpha-reductases are potential targets of dietary fat.
  
  
  METHODS
  Male ACI/Seg rats given either a low-fat or a high-fat diet at weaning or adulthood were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 10 weeks after dietary treatment. Prostate 5alpha-reductase mRNAs, plasma androgens, food consumption, prostate, and body weight were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prostate 5alpha-reductase-2 mRNA and plasma dihydrotestosterone levels were elevated at 2 weeks, and prostate weight was increased at 10 weeks in neonatal rats fed the high-fat diet. Animals fed the high-fat diet consumed more calories in the first 4 weeks. 5alpha-reductase-1 mRNA, plasma testosterone, and body weight were not different between the two dietary groups. These dietary effects were not observed in adult rats fed the same diets.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high-dietary fat and caloric intake upregulates prostate 5alpha-reductase-2 gene expression, and stimulates prostate growth in neonatal, but not adult rats.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine/ Endocrinology, Weill Medical College of Cornell University, New York, New York 10021, USA.
authors.forename: Li-Qun
authors.initials: LQ
authors.lastname: Cai
authors.forename: Julianne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Imperato-McGinley
authors.forename: Yuan-Shan
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001835:Body Weight; D004041:Dietary Fats; D002149:Energy Intake; D008297:Male; D011467:Prostate / Q000254:growth & development*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology*; D051381:Rats; D012307:Risk Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D013739:Testosterone; D013741:3-Oxo-5-alpha-Steroid 4-Dehydrogenase; C476567:steroid-5alpha-reductase type 2