Rhodobacter sphaeroides Extract Lycogen™ Attenuates Testosterone-Induced Benign Prostate Hyperplasia in Rats
Chiang-Ting Wang 1,2, Ya-Yun Wang 3,4, Wen-Sheng Liu 5,6, Chun-Ming Cheng 7, Kuo-Hsun Chiu 6, Li-Lian Liu 8, Xue-Zhu Liu 9, Zhi-Hong Wen 1,*, Ya-Huey Chen 10,11,12,* and Tsung-Ming Chen6,*

2018/04/05

Abstract

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urological problems in mid-aged to elderly men. Risk factors of BPH include family history, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and high oxidative stress. The main medication classes for BPH management are alpha blockers and 5α-reductase inhibitors. However, these conventional medicines cause adverse effects. Lycogen™, extracted from Rhodobacter sphaeroides WL-APD911, is an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compound. In this study, the effect of Lycogen™ was evaluated in rats with testosterone-induced benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Testosterone injections and Lycogen™ administration were carried out for 28 days, and body weights were recorded twice per week. The testosterone injection successfully induced a prostate enlargement. BPH-induced rats treated with different doses of Lycogen™ exhibited a significantly decreased prostate index (PI). Moreover, the Lycogen™ administration recovered the histological abnormalities observed in the prostate of BPH rats. In conclusion, these findings support a dose-dependent preventing effect of Lycogen™ on testosterone-induced BPH in rats and suggest that Lycogen™ may be favorable to the prevention and management of benign prostate hyperplasia.

http://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/19/4/1137/htm