Whey Supplementation Alleviated Ventral Prostate Damage and Circulating Hormones in Aged Rats

Abstract

Many studies have focused on the aging related hypertrophy and prostate injuries. The use of natural product to prevent the prostate tissues degradation are of particular concern. The study's aim was to determine the biological significance of whey supplementation in optimizing aging-related changes in the structure and function of prostate of aged rats. Male Wistar albino rats aged 8 and 30-months were categorized into two main groups with or without whey supplementation (n=8). After two months of oral whey supplementation (2 ml, twice doses/day), the rats were euthanized, blood was collected and serum was separated for assessments of serum hormonal levels of testosterone and tri-and tetra-iodothyronin. The prostate was dissected and processed for histological, immunohistochemical and transmission electron microscopy. The studies showed that whey supplementation alleviated the shrieked and atrophy of prostate acini as well as hyperplasia of their lining epithelium. Whey supplementation also decreased expression of the caspase 3 and prostate specific antigen (PSA) immunohistochemistry. This was influenced by increased the immune reaction of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA).This were also associated with improved the serum hormonal levels of testosterone and triodo-and tetra-iodothyronine. Finally the author finally concluded that whey supplementation improved properties of aged properties and reduced hyperplasia, inflammatory lesions and collagenous infiltration. Increased testosterone and thyroid hormonal levels were also found.