Effects of raloxifene therapy on MNU-induced prostatic inflammation in rats

• Grant number: 23/12378-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2024
• End date: December 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Pathological Anatomy and Clinical Pathology
• Principal Investigator: Cristiane Figueiredo Pinho
• Grantee: Liara Botão da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências (FC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Prostate cancer's ability to progress to a non-responsive phase to androgen deprivation therapy emphasizes the importance of study on adjuvant treatments. Recent research suggests estrogen receptors as possible therapeutic targets in neoplasias and they can be modulated by drugs such as Raloxifene. In this context, this study aims to evaluate the histoprotective and anti-inflammatory potential effects of Raloxifene therapy during prostatic carcinogenesis. Thereunto, 20 male Fisher 344 rats will be inoculated with the MNU carcinogen (15 mg/kg) in the ventral prostate and will receive subcutaneous doses of testosterone cypionate twice a week for 220 days. Subsequently, they will be divided into two experimental groups: Raloxifene group, receiving 10 mg/kg of body weight/day of Raloxifene diluted in corn oil for 30 consecutive days; Induced group, receiving only corn oil (vehicle) for 30 consecutive days. Another 10 animals belonging to the Control group will receive vehicle twice a week for 220 days to simulate the induction process and subsequently for 30 consecutive days to simulate the treatment period. After euthanasia, the ventral prostate will be collected for histopathological analysis of the lesions, quantification of mast cells, and immunostaining for NFºB, TNF-± and TLR4 (inflammatory mediators).