The potential protective role of flaxseed extract on ventral prostate in a rat model of streptozotocin-induced diabetes: A histological and immunohistochemical study

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disorder that can affect the reproductive system leading to fertility dysfunction. The prostate plays an important role in the reproduction and it is a frequent target for diabetic complications. Flaxseed is a promising alternative in many chronic diseases due to its health benefits. It has a proposed role in controlling diabetes due to its wide pharmacological activities.  im: Evaluation of the possible protective role of flaxseed extract on the ventral prostate gland of diabetic rats.  Materials & Methods: Fifty adult male albino rats were used as a control group and experimental group that received a single intra-peritoneal injection of streptozotocin (60 mg/kg). The experimental rats with confirmed diabetes mellitus were subdivided into: diabetic group that kept without treatment and diabetic–flaxseed group (400 mg/kg/day orally). After four weeks, specimens of the ventral prostate lobes were processed for histological and immunohistochemical study using antibodies against Bcl-2, α-smooth muscle actin and androgen receptor.
Results: In comparison with the control, specimens of the diabetic group showed glandular epithelial atrophy with thickening of the fibromuscular stroma. Reduced epithelial height and a statistically significant decrease in Bcl2 immunoexpression were observed in the epithelial cells. A statistically significant increase in the collagen fibers and α-SMA immunoexpression was seen in the stroma. Androgen receptor immunoreactivity was significantly decreased in both epithelial and stromal cells. In contrast, minimal changes appeared in diabetic-flaxseed group that received flaxseed extract.  Conclusion: Diabetes induced structural alterations in the ventral prostate gland of rats. Administration of flaxseed extract attenuated these effects and partially preserved the glandular structure.