Oxidative stress results from an imbalance between the production of the toxic and DNA damaging reactive oxidative species and the ability of the body to detoxify and repair tissue damage. These pathological processes have been involved in several diseases including cancer and dementia such Alzheimer’s. As a result, and although not proven effective, some antioxidants have been used to treat or prevent these illnesses. Although markers of oxidative stress have been found in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), it is not clear if this is a cause or consequence of the pathogenesis of BPH.

Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine and Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Texas, performed a novel study to address this issue. Their results were recently published in the Prostate journal, under the title “Oxidative Stress Promotes Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia“.

The team of researchers led by Dr. Paz Vital measured a marker of oxidative stress called 8-OH deoxyguanosine in both normal prostate tissue and BPH tissue. Furthermore, and to establish if oxidative stress could be a cause of BPH, mice with higher expression of Nox4, a substance that promotes the formation of reactive oxygen species responsible for the oxidative stress, were also analysed. Results showed that prostate tissues from BPH patients, as shown by previous studies, have higher levels of the marker for oxidative stress 8-OH deoxyguanosine. Not only that, but higher levels of this marker were associated with more severe BPH. Mice with overall increased oxidative stress throughout their body had bigger prostates with more DNA damage and other tissue changes compatible with BPH.

These results showed that oxidative stress might be one of the causes underlying BPH. Authors hypothesized this could be due to the direct stimulation of cell growth in the prostate and the release of signaling substances after DNA damage that promotes a pathological response. Although the role of antioxidants in the treatment of BHP is still not known, this study could open the door to a novel approach in the management of the disease, perhaps through the use of antioxidant supplements such as vitamin E.