title: Finasteride reduces microvessel density and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in renal tissue of diabetic rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of diabetic microvascular complications. Finasteride has been confirmed to decrease VEGF expression in prostate and prostatic suburethral tissue resulting in limiting hematuria from human benign prostatic hyperplasia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of finasteride on microvessel density (MVD), VEGF protein and mRNA expressions in the renal tissue of diabetic rats.
  
  
  METHODS
  Diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin were intragastrically given finasteride at 30 mg/kg body weight once a day for 4 weeks. Histomorphologic changes in kidney were observed under light microscope. Immunohistochemistry for CD34 and VEGF on kidney sections was performed to assess MVD and VEGF protein expression in glomeruli of rats, respectively. The VEGF mRNA expression in the renal tissue was examined using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The glomerular tuft area, glomerular volume, MVD, VEGF protein expression in glomeruli and VEGF mRNA expression in the renal cortex tissue were significantly increased in diabetic rats and finasteride-treated rats when compared with controls (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). When compared with diabetic rats, the glomerular tuft area, glomerular volume, MVD, VEGF protein expression in glomeruli and VEGF mRNA expression in the renal cortex tissue of finasteride-treated rats were significantly decreased (P < 0.05, P < 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Finasteride reduces the VEGF expression and decreases the MVD in the renal tissue of diabetic rats, suggesting the therapeutic potential of finasteride on diabetic microvascular complications.
authors: Medical College, Affiliated Hospital, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, China.
authors: He-lin
authors: HL
authors: Tian
authors: Chao-xian
authors: CX
authors: Zhao
authors: Hai-ying
authors: HY
authors: Wu
authors: Zhong-xin
authors: ZX
authors: Xu
authors: Li-shun
authors: LS
authors: Wei
authors: Ru-tong
authors: RT
authors: Zhao
authors: Dong-ling
authors: DL
authors: Jin
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003925:Diabetic Angiopathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D003928:Diabetic Nephropathies / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D018120:Finasteride / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007678:Kidney Glomerulus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D055806:Microvessels / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; C467498:vascular endothelial growth factor A, rat; D018120:Finasteride