Background
Eulexin (flutamide) is a pure nonsteroidal antiandrogen drug widely used in the
treatment of prostatic cancer, hirsutism, and acne vulgaris.
Aim of the work
The aim of this work is to determine the histological and immunohistochemical effects
of eleuxin on the prostate of adult albino rats.
Materials and methods
Thirty adult male albino rats were used and divided into a control group of six rats
and an experimental group of 24 rats. This group was further subdivided into three
subgroups (eight rats each). Each rat of the experimental subgroups received a daily
dose of 67.5 mg/kg body weight of flutamide by the oral route. Animals were weighed
and sacrificed after 2, 4, and 6 weeks. The prostate specimens were subjected
to H&E, PAS reaction, and immunohistochemistry for androgen receptor (AR) and
estrogen receptor (ER) localization. Statistical analysis of body weight and area % of
the immunoreactivity of ARs and ERs was carried out.
Results
Eleuxin induced a significant reduction in the body weight of the rats of the
experimental subgroups. Moreover, the experimental groups showed a significant
decrease in the immunoreactivity of ARs and an increase in the immunoreactivity of
the ERs. Early changes in acini were represented by folding of some areas of acini,
whereas other acini were rudimentary after 2 weeks of treatment. Cystic dilatation of
acini with a decrease in epithelial height was observed in acini treated for 4 weeks.
Highly dilated and irregular acini with no stroma in between were observed after 6
weeks of treatment and there was an apparent acini decrease in the cell number with
dilated and congested blood vessels. There was a decreased PAS reaction in the
apical parts of epithelial cells with an irregular apparent thick basement membrane
especially in the folded area.
Conclusion
Eleuxin exerted many histological effects on the prostate of adult albino rats. Further
study is required to determine the effect of flutamide on the function of the male
reproductive system, especially fertility. |
