Objective: To investigate the effects of finasteride on capillary in the ventral prostate of rat and study the mechanisms therein involved,
Methods: Male SD rats were given via gavage finasteride 40 mg/kg per day for 7 days (group B) and for 14 days (group C). The changes of capillary infused with Chinese ink were observed with the use of HE staining. Immunohistochemical (IHC) SP-method was adopted in measuring the protein expression of VEGF and eNOS in rat prostatic tissue.
Results: In comparison with the relevant values measured in the control group (group A), the microvessel density (MVD) values in group B and group C decreased by 35.2% and 56% respectively, the protein expression of VEGF in group B and group C decreased by 31.7% and 62.6% respectively, the protein expression of eNOS in group B and group C decreased by 15.7% and 52.5% respectively.
Conclusion: Finasteride can inhibit the protein expression of VEGF and eNOS and thereby can suppress angiogenesis of capillary in the ventral prostate of rat.