The Postnatal Offspring of Finasteride-Treated Male Rats Shows Hyperglycemia, Elevated Hepatic Glycogen Storage, and Altered GLUT2, IR, and AR Expression in the Liver

January 2021 in “ International Journal of Molecular Sciences ”

Paulina Kur, Agnieszka Kolasa, Marta Grabowska, Andrzej Kram, Maciej Tarnowski, Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka, Sylwia Rzeszotek, Małgorzata Piasecka, Barbara Wiszniewska

finasteride hyperglycemia hepatic glycogen storage GLUT2 insulin resistance type 2 diabetes androgen receptor glucose metabolism Propecia high blood sugar liver glycogen storage glucose transporter type 2 AR

Studysummary This study suggests that finasteride treatment in male rats can lead to changes in liver carbohydrate metabolism and may result in metabolic disruptions and liver steatosis in their offspring. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

Male rats treated with finasteride had offspring that showed changes in glucose metabolism, including hyperglycemia, increased glycogen storage in the liver, and altered gene expression related to glucose metabolism in the liver. These effects suggest potential negative impacts on the metabolic health of the offspring, including an increased risk for insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. The study highlights the importance of considering potential trans-generational effects of finasteride treatment.

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Antioxidant Enzyme Expression of mRNA and Protein in the Epididymis of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring During Postnatal Development

research Antioxidant Enzyme Expression of mRNA and Protein in the Epididymis of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring During Postnatal Development

2 citations , September 2017 in “Archives of Medical Science”

The researchers reported that finasteride treatment in male rats may lead to changes in antioxidant enzyme activity in their offspring's epididymis, potentially affecting sperm maturation.

research Androgen Levels and Apoptosis in the Testis During Postnatal Development of Finasteride-Treated Male Rat Offspring

10 citations , September 2015 in “Folia Histochemica Et Cytobiologica”

This study found that paternal exposure to finasteride in male rats may impair fertility and affect androgen-sensitive spermatogenesis in their male offspring.

research 5α-Reductase Type 1 Deficiency or Inhibition Predisposes to Insulin Resistance, Hepatic Steatosis, and Liver Fibrosis in Rodents

93 citations , September 2014 in “Diabetes”

This study found that male 5αR1 knockout mice and obese Zucker rats treated with finasteride showed increased insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis, potentially implicating 5α-reductase activity in metabolic liver disease development.

research DHT Deficiency Perturbs the Integrity of the Rat Seminiferous Epithelium by Disrupting Tight and Adherens Junctions

27 citations , April 2011 in “Folia Histochemica et Cytobiologica”

In this study using rats, finasteride-induced DHT deficiency led to morphological changes in seminiferous tubules, linked with altered junctional protein expression, potentially impairing fertility.

research The Expression of Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) in the Testis and Epididymis of Rats with a Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) Deficiency

28 citations , January 2009 in “Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters”

This study concluded that finasteride-induced DHT deficiency intensified constitutive iNOS expression in rat testicular and epididymal cells, suggesting a complex regulatory relationship needing further investigation.

research Natural Variability and the Influence of Concurrent Control Values on the Detection and Interpretation of Low-Dose or Weak Endocrine Toxicities

51 citations , February 2004 in “Environmental Health Perspectives”

This article analyzes various cases of weak or low-dose endocrine effects in laboratory animals and highlights challenges in data interpretation due to variability among controls, but reports no new experimental findings.

research The Effect of Finasteride in Men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

1040 citations , October 1992 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

In this study, 5 mg of finasteride per day significantly improved urinary symptoms and reduced prostate volume in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia, but increased the risk of sexual dysfunction.