Hormonal and Biochemical Risk Factors for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Enugu State, Nigeria.

Abstract

Some biochemical parameters known to be associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were determined. The study subjects consisted of 100 human subjects within the age bracket of 53-85. They were divided into two main groups: 1 and 2. Group 1 comprised 50 apparently healthy subjects who were the employees of the Medical Centre, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu and served as control subjects. Group 2 was made up of 50 patients diagnosed with BPH and were attending urology clinic or were admitted at the wards in the hospital and whose clinical records and medical histories were well documented. Groups 1 and 2 subjects were age matched. For all the groups the subjects were non diabetics, non smokers and non alcoholics and were not taking any medication (such as lipid lowering drugs) that may interfere with the parameters. Fasting blood samples from the subjects were determined using standard methods. The results showed that prostate specific antigen (PSA), total acid phosphatase (TAP) and prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in Group 2 subjects compared to Group 1 subjects. The levels of total cholesterol, triacylglycerols (TAG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) of Group 2 subjects were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than the levels in Group 1subjects. The high density lipoprotein (HDL) level was significantly (p < 0.05) lower in BPH patients of Group 2 subjects compared to the HDL level in normal control subjects of Group 1. The glycosylated haemoglobin and fasting blood sugar levels of Group 2 subjects were not significantly (p > 0.05) different from the control subjects. The levels of calcium and potassium ions of subjects in Group 2 were non-significantly (p > 0.05) different from the control subjects. There were significantly (p < 0.05) higher levels of oestrogen, sodium ion, uric acid, creatinine and urea in Group 2 subjects compared to that of Group 1 subjects. Concentrations of testosterone zinc and selenium, and activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) were found to be significantly (p < 0.05) lower in group 2 subjects than group 1 subjects. There were significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between PSA in BPH patients and parameters such as PAP, TAP, total cholesterol, TAG, LDL, oestrogen, urea, creatinine, uric acid, potassium and sodium with r = 0.859; r = 0.877; r = 0.408; r = 0.722; r = 0.390; r = 0.301; r = 0.820; r = 0.843; r = 0.819; r = 0.642; r = 0.212 respectively. There were significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation between PSA and parameters such as: catalase, GPx, selenium, and testosterone with r = -0.346; r = -0.0549; r = -0.692; r = -0.493 respectively. There was no correlation between PSA and other parameters. There were significant (p < 0.05) positive correlation between PAP in BPH patients and parameters such as: PSA, TAP, total cholesterol, TAG, LDL, oestrogen, urea, creatinine, uric acid and potassium with r = 0.859; r = 0.864; r = 0.394; r = 0.741; r = 0.307; r = 0.260; r = 0.813; r = 0.830; r = 0.780; r = 0.664 respectively. There were significant (p < 0.05) negative correlation between PAP and parameters such as: catalase, GPx, selenium and testosterone with r = -0.508; r = -0.560; r = -0.684; r = -0.559 respectively. The parameters determined in this study reveal the presence of some abnormal conditions such as dyslipidaemia, oxidative stress and hormonal aberrations. Therefore, these parameters could be indicators and possible diagnostic markers for prostate disorder.