The Effect of Finasteride on the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Microvessel Density: A Possible Mechanism for Decreased Prostatic Bleeding in Treated Patients
January 2003
in “
The Journal of Urology
”
Studysummary This study found that finasteride significantly reduced VEGF expression and microvessel density in prostatic suburethral tissue, suggesting a mechanism for decreased bleeding in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
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Between 1998 and 2001, a study involving 24 patients undergoing prostatic surgery for benign disease investigated the effects of finasteride on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and microvessel density. The study included 12 patients treated with finasteride for at least 6 weeks before surgery and 12 control patients. Results showed that finasteride significantly reduced VEGF expression and microvessel density in the prostatic suburethral tissue compared to controls (p <0.05), but not in the hyperplastic prostate tissue. The study concluded that finasteride's reduction of prostatic urethral bleeding is due to its ability to decrease VEGF expression, inhibit angiogenesis, and reduce microvessel density in the suburethral region of the prostate.
