Androgens in Patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Before and After Prostatectomy

Abstract

Plasma androgens [testosterone (T), 17beta-hydroxy-5alpha-androstan-3-one (DHT), androst-4-en-3,17 dione(A), and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)] as well as 17 hydroxyprogesterone were measured in a group of patients (age 60-80 yrs.) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) just before prostatectomy and compared to values obtained in subjects of similar age without signs of BPH. The most important difference was observed in the mean DHT level which was significantly (P less than 0.025) higher than in the control group; mean T and free testosterone levels in BPH patients were slightly higher (P less than 0.05) in the age group 70-80 yrs; whereas in age group 60-70 mean values were similar to those observed in normal controls. Mean A, DHEA and 17 OHP and E2 levels were not significantly different in BPH patients when compared to age matched controls. 2-5 months after prostatectomy, T and DHT levels were significantly higher than immediately preoperatively. The preoperative stress may have influenced the preprostatectomy values.

Hyperinsulinaemia as a Risk Factor for Developing Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

“…Up to now, however, few data have linked aberrations of these hormones to the development of BPH [7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14]. …”

Concentration of Dihydrotestosterone and 3α-Androstanediol in Naturally Occurring and Androgen- Induced Prostatic Hyperplasia in the Dog

“…Second, the concentration of dihydrotestosterone is elevated in the hyperplastic prostates of man (10,11) and dog (12,13). Third, the plasma levels of dihydrotestosterone are elevated in men with hyperplastic prostates (14,15). Fourth, both canine and human prostatic hyperplasia are accompanied by an increase in the activity of 3a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (16, 17), and (in the human prostate at least) this increased activity is paralleled by a decreased tissue concentration of 3a-androstanediol (11).…”

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: a Disorder of Androgen Metabolism in the Male

“…In 1975 we first reported that in the face of normal or reduced total testosterone levels in healthy elderly men with BPH studied in a retirement home, plasma DHT levels were significantly increased and the data indicated the presence of a separate population as compared with younger men [42], This observation has now been con firmed by five other groups [39,41,43]. Vermeulin and DeSy [39], in confirming our data, were able to study a group of aged-matched controls without clinical evidence of BPH.…”

“…Estradiol in plasma tends to increase [36,37] and this in part is due to increased sex hormone binding pro tein (SHBG) concentration [1], Testosterone and in par ticular free testosterone levels fall in men 60-80 years of age [38,39], This remains controversial since unusually healthy men especially selected for their excellent health may not show these changes [40], However, an unselected group of outpatients probably more representative of the aging population show reduced testosterone levels. In a recent study from our laboratory a small group of men 65 years of age had normal plasma testosterone but clearly reduced secretion rates; the result of reduced testosterone clearance [41].…”