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01-04-2017 | Original Contribution

Flaxseed reduces epithelial proliferation but does not affect basal cells in induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats

Authors: Ilma Cely de Amorim Ribeiro, Carlos Alberto Soares da Costa, Vivian Alves Pereira da Silva, Lanna Beatriz Neves Silva Côrrea, Gilson Teles Boaventura, Mauricio Alves Chagas

Published in: European Journal of Nutrition | Issue 3/2017

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to quantitatively and qualitatively evaluate the effects of a flaxseed-based diet on the histoarchitecture of the prostate of normal Wistar rats and of rats with induced BPH.

Methods

The study included four experimental groups of ten animals each: casein control group (CCG), who were fed a casein-based diet; flaxseed control group (FCG), who were fed a flaxseed-based diet; hyperplasia-induced casein group (HICG), who were fed a casein-based diet; and hyperplasia-induced flaxseed group (HIFG), who were fed a flaxseed-based diet. Hyperplasia was induced by the subcutaneous implantation of silicone pellets containing testosterone propionate. After 20 weeks, the rats were euthanized and their prostate fixed in buffered formalin. Tissue sections were stained with HE, picrosirius red and immunostained for nuclear antigen p63. Histomorphometric analysis evaluated the epithelial thickness, epithelial area, individual luminal area, and total area of prostatic alveoli.

Results

The mean epithelial thickness obtained for HIFG and HICG was 16.52 ± 1.65 and 20.58 ± 2.86 µm, respectively. The mean epithelial thickness in HICG was greater than that in the other groups tested. HIFG had a smaller epithelial thickness and lower percentage of papillary projections in the prostatic alveoli. No significant difference was observed between CCG and FCG. The total area and mean alveolar area showed no significant differences between the groups. The number of cells immunostained for p63 was not significantly different between the groups evaluated.

Conclusion

These results suggest that flaxseed has a protective effect on the prostate epithelium in BPH-induced animals.

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Title: Flaxseed reduces epithelial proliferation but does not affect basal cells in induced benign prostatic hyperplasia in rats
Authors: Ilma Cely de Amorim Ribeiro
Carlos Alberto Soares da Costa
Vivian Alves Pereira da Silva
Lanna Beatriz Neves Silva Côrrea
Gilson Teles Boaventura
Mauricio Alves Chagas
Publication date: 01-04-2017
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in: European Journal of Nutrition / Issue 3/2017
Print ISSN: 1436-6207
Electronic ISSN: 1436-6215
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-016-1169-1

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