Resveratrol reduces the levels of circulating androgen precursors but has no effect on, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, PSA levels or prostate volume. A 4-month randomised trial in middle-aged men.
BACKGROUND
Resveratrol is a naturally occurring polyphenol with purported inhibitory effects on prostate growth and cancer development. A number of studies have demonstrated that resveratrol reduces prostate growth in animal models and reduces prostate cell growth in vitro. Based on these pre-clinical findings, interest in resveratrol is increasing in relation to the management of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer. So far, no human trials have evaluated the effects of resveratrol on circulating androgens, prostate size, or biochemical markers of prostate size.


METHODS
In a randomized placebo controlled clinical study using two doses of resveratrol (150 mg or 1,000 mg resveratrol daily) for 4 months, we evaluated the effects on prostate size, prostate specific antigen (PSA) and sex steroid hormones in 66 middle-aged men suffering from the metabolic syndrome(MetS).


RESULTS
At baseline, prostate size and PSA were positively correlated (R = 0.34, P < 0.007) as was prostate size and age (R = 0.37, P < 0.003). Prostate size did not correlate with testosterone, free testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or any other androgen precursor at baseline. The highest dose of resveratrol lowered the serum level of androstenedione 24% (P = 0.052), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) 41% (P < 0.01), and dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEAS) 50% (p<0.001), compared to the control group. However, prostate size and levels of PSA, testosterone, free testosterone and DHT remained unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
In this population of middle-aged men suffering from MetS, high dose resveratrol (1,000 mg daily) administration for 4 months significantly lowered serum levels of the androgen precursors androstenedione, DHEA and DHEAS, whereas prostate size and circulating levels of PSA, testosterone, free testosterone, and dihydrotestosterone were unaffected. The present study suggests that resveratrol does not affect prostate volume in healthy middle-aged men as measured by PSA levels and CT acquired prostate volumes. Consequently, we find no support for the use of resveratrol in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia.
Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine MEA, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Thomas Nordstrøm
TN
Kjaer
Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine MEA, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Marie Juul
MJ
Ornstrup
Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine MEA, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Morten Møller
MM
Poulsen
Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine MEA, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Jens Otto Lunde
JO
Jørgensen
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology and Genetics, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej, Copenhagen S, Denmark.
David Michael
DM
Hougaard
Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Immunology and Genetics, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej, Copenhagen S, Denmark.
Arieh Sierra
AS
Cohen
Department of Radiology, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Shadman
S
Neghabat
Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine MEA, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Bjørn
B
Richelsen
Department of Endocrinology and Internal Medicine MEA, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus C, Denmark.|Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Steen Bønløkke
SB
Pedersen
D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000378:metabolism*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000097:blood*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D011467:Prostate / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000097:blood*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D000077185:Resveratrol; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood*; D045165:Testosterone Congeners / Q000097:blood*
D000728:Androgens; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D013267:Stilbenes; D045165:Testosterone Congeners; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen; D000077185:Resveratrol
17,20 lyase; human clinical trial; prostate specific antigen; resveratrol; steroidogenesis