The Effects of Finasteride on Apoptosis, Antioxidants, and Cytokines in Experimental Diabetic Rats

June 2025 in “ Journal of Applied Toxicology ”

Dilek Akşit, Eren Altun, Murat Çelebi, Çağla Çelebi, Hasan Akşit

finasteride apoptosis antioxidants cytokines malondialdehyde nitric oxide interleukin 6 tumor necrosis factor-α total antioxidant status superoxide dismutase Bax Bcl-2 Propecia

TLDR Finasteride may protect diabetic rats from oxidative stress and inflammation.

This study investigated the effects of finasteride on oxidative stress, apoptosis, and cytokines in diabetic rats. Thirty-two male rats were divided into four groups: control, finasteride, diabetes, and diabetes+finasteride. Diabetes increased malondialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, while decreasing total antioxidant status (TAS) and superoxide dismutase (SOD). The diabetes+finasteride group showed decreased MDA, NO, IL-6, and TNF-α levels, and increased TAS and SOD levels compared to the diabetes group. Finasteride reduced apoptosis by downregulating Bax and upregulating Bcl-2 in the liver and kidney, ameliorating histopathological changes and enhancing antioxidant defenses. The study concludes that finasteride may protect against oxidative stress and inflammation in diabetic rats, but human trials are necessary for clinical application.

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