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Anti‐Androgenic Effect of Fatty Acids and Phytosterols in Saw Palmetto Extract on Growth of Syrian Hamster Androgen‐Sensitive Flank Organ

2015; Wiley; Volume: 29; Issue: S1 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1096/fasebj.29.1_supplement.753.15

1530-6860

Alexander B. Opoku‐Acheampong, Kavitha Penugonda, Nicole Fiorentino, Brian Lindshield,

Estrogen and related hormone effects

Saw palmetto supplements are one of the most commonly consumed supplements by men with prostate cancer. These supplements' anti-androgenic action may be related to their ability to inhibit 5α-reductase enzymes, which convert testosterone into the more potent dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Saw palmetto supplements (SPS) contain phytosterols and fatty acids, in particular the medium chain fatty acids laurate and myristate, thought to be bioactive components. The objective of this study was to investigate whether saw palmetto supplement fatty acid and phytosterol concentrations determine their effectiveness in impacting androgen-sensitive flank organ growth. Five to six-week old, castrated male Syrian hamsters treated with either testosterone or DHT were randomized into Control, High Medium Chain Fatty Acids-Low Phytosterols, High Long Chain Fatty Acids-Low Phytosterols, or High Long Chain Fatty Acids-High Phytosterols groups. Testosterone or DHT was applied topically daily to the right flank organ, and the control left flank organ was treated with ethanol. Thirty minutes later, SPS or ethanol were applied to each flank organ in treatment groups (n = 6) and control groups (n = 4), respectively. Flank organ area was measured weekly and the study was terminated after 3 weeks. SPS treatments caused a notable, but nonsignificant reduction in the difference between the left and right flank organ areas in the testosterone-treated saw palmetto groups. The same level of inhibition was not seen in the DHT-treated saw palmetto groups. Results may suggest saw palmetto extracts are more effective at inhibiting 5α-reductase activity than preventing binding of DHT to the androgen receptor.