Background: Several parameters including inflammatory mediators, hormones, dietary factors, inflammatory genes, and oxidative stress (OS) have been considered to play a role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostate tissue damage and OS may lead to compensatory cellular proliferation with resulting hyperplastic growth.
Methods: We searched MEDLINE for articles in English published up to March 2014 using the key words 'oxidative stress', 'antioxidants' and 'benign prostatic hyperplasia'.
Results: Prostatic inflammation can cause the generation of free radicals. The extent of oxidative damage can be exacerbated by a decreased efficiency of antioxidant defense mechanisms. The balance between OS and the antioxidant component also has a role in developing prostate disease. Several works show the role of oxidant products and of depletion of antioxidant substances in BPH patients. It is accepted that free radicals play a role in carcinogenesis and that BPH should be considered a premalignant condition which may evolve into prostate cancer. High OS parameters and low antioxidant activity are more prominent in prostate cancer patients compared with BPH and controls.
Conclusions: Further studies are needed to clarify the potential role of antioxidants in BPH also in view of preventing the progression to prostate cancer.
2014 S. Karger AG, Basel