title: Influence and pathophysiological mechanisms of simvastatin on prostatic hyperplasia in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the effects and mechanisms of simvastatin on prostate hyperplasia in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six male SHRs were randomly divided into three groups: the 10 and the 20 mg/kg/d simvastatin group and the control group. After 6 weeks the ultra-microscopic prostate structures were observed. The serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) and angiotensin II (Ang-II) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was evaluated with immunohistochemistry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared to the control group, the 20 mg/kg/d simvastatin group presented with lower absolute (p = 0.005) and relative prostate weight (p = 0.009). The basal cells and columnar cells presented with edema, condensed heterochromatin in interstitial fibroblast nuclei, widened nucleus gaps, and decreased mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum in the 10 mg/kg/d simvastatin group, these changes were more pronounced in the 20 mg/kg/d simvastatin group. The IL-6 levels in the 10 and 20 mg/kg/d simvastatin groups were lower than those of the controls (p = 0.005 and p = 0.008). The IGF-1 levels of the 20 mg/kg/d simvastatin group were reduced compared to the control group (p = 0.016).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simvastatin can delay and inhibit prostatic hyperplasia and progression in SHR. These actions may be mediated through the suppression of inflammatory and growth factors.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Geriatrics and Urology, Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China.
authors.forename: Xiangyu
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Lini
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Xiaokun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xiaobing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qu
mesh_terms: D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D004721:Endoplasmic Reticulum / Q000187:drug effects; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007249:Inflammation; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000378:metabolism; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000187:drug effects; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D011470:Prostatic Hyperplasia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D051381:Rats; D011918:Rats, Inbred SHR; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000804:Angiotensin II; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D019821:Simvastatin; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; C496316:Nos3 protein, rat