eulexin exert toxic effects on the prostate of adult male albino rats? Histological and immunohistochemical study

ABSTRACT

Eulexin [flutamide] is a pure nonsteroidal antiandrogen drug widely used in the treatment of prostatic cancer, hirsutism, and acne vulgaris. The aim of this work is to determine the histological and immunohistochemical effects of eleuxin on the prostate of adult albino rats. 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 67.5mg/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 and 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. 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 acinin 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. 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