Corticosterone influences gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus) prostatic morphophysiology and alters its proliferation and apoptosis rates

Author(s)

Antoniassi, Julia Quilles ; Fochi, Ricardo Alexandre ; Goes, Rejane Maira ; Leite Vilamaior, Patricia Simone ; Taboga, Sebastiao Roberto

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: International Journal of Experimental Pathology; v. 98, n. 3, p. 134-146, JUN 2017.
• Web of Science Citations: 1

Abstract

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones that are widely used in medicine; but although side effects are generally recognised, little is known about the precise mechanisms that is implicated in many of these side effects. Furthermore, GCs are highly correlated with stress and behaviour disorders. This study evaluated the effects of the glucocorticoid corticosterone on the ventral prostate of the Mongolian gerbil. Male gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) (n = 5) received intraperitoneal injections of saline or corticosterone in doses of 0.5 mg/kg/day and 1.5 mg/kg/day for 5 days; while some of the animals were killed immediately after the treatment, the others were killed 5 days after the treatment period. The data show that corticosterone influences the structure and functionality of this organ. This hormone has anti-proliferative and anti-apoptotic properties in the prostate. In addition, the frequencies of the androgen (AR), oestrogen (ER alpha, ER beta) and glucocorticoid (GR) receptors changed. The frequencies of AR, GR and ER beta decreased in the Ct1/5 group; in the groups with rest period, the frequencies of GR increased and ER beta decreased in the epithelium. Changes in the proliferative index, apoptotic index and receptor activity may have contributed to the emergence of prostatic morphological alterations, such as the presence of cellular debris and inflammatory cells. Different doses of corticosterone had variable effects on the prostate, with a higher dose showing subtler effects and a lower dose showing more striking effects. The corticosterone effects on nuclear receptors were reverted or attenuated after a rest period, which was not observed for proliferation and apoptosis. In summary, we have demonstrated that corticosterone might influence the prostatic morphophysiology and that these changes may be linked in some way to the altered receptor distribution. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 09/16790-5 - Prostate evaluation of the male and female senile gerbils exposed to ethinylestradiol during pre natal and pubertal period
• Grantee: Ana Paula da Silva Perez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 11/06335-9 - Effects of intrauterine and puberal exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals on the old gerbils prostate
• Grantee: Sebastião Roberto Taboga
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants