Relationship between prostatic atrophy and apoptosis in the canine spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) following chlormadinone acetate (CMA).

The effect of a synthetic steroidal antiandrogen, chlormadinone acetate (CMA), on spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in dogs was investigated. Male beagle dogs (5-8 years old) were divided into four experimental groups. Group 1 consisted of untreated controls. Groups 2 to 4 received CMA 0.03, 0.1, and 0.3 mg/kg/day, p.o., respectively, for 6 months. In group 1, glandular hyperplasia of the prostate was clearly detected. In groups 2 to 4, CMA produced marked atrophy of the glandular epithelium. The interacinar fibro-muscular stroma was prominent. To evaluate the frequency of apoptosis, we counted the positive cells stained by the nick end labeling method. In group 1, the apoptotic index was 0.76 +/- 0.03%. In groups 2 to 4, apoptotic index were 15.41 +/- 1.26%, 2.63 +/- 0.98% and 1.45 +/- 0.85%, respectively. Apoptotic cell death was mainly observed in the glandular may be epithelial cells. Based on our data, regression of BPH after treatment with CMA apoptotic cell death.