Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats

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DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24086/cuesj.v9n2y2025.pp1-6

Keywords:

Benign prostaic hyperplasia, empagliflozin, ertugliflozin, finasteride, testosterone

Abstract

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a non-cancerous proliferation of the prostate tissue, predominantly impacting the transitional zone and periurethral area, resulting in lower urinary tract symptoms in elderly males. Chronic inflammation plays a widely acknowledged significant role in the etiology of BPH. Current pharmacological interventions comprise 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and alphaadrenergic antagonists, both of which are linked to considerable adverse effects. Thus, there is an increasing demand for alternate therapy modalities with reduced adverse effects. Sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors were initially developed for glycemic regulation in type 2 diabetes mellitus while also providing benefits in diminishing significant cardiovascular incidents, enhancing heart failure results, and decelerating the advancement of chronic renal disease. Recent research indicates that SGLT2 inhibitors have antiinflammatory and antiproliferative properties. This study examines the impact of ertugliflozin and empagliflozin on testosterone-induced BPH in rats. BPH was induced in rats with the administration of testosterone enanthate. The treatment groups were administered ertugliflozin, empagliflozin, and finasteride. Prostate mass, prostate index, serum testosterone concentrations, and histological alterations were assessed. Ertugliflozin, empagliflozin, and finasteride significantly (P < 0.05) decreased mean prostate weight, prostate index, and blood testosterone levels. Histological investigation revealed a reduction of testosterone-induced BPH to mild prostatic hyperplasia in the ertugliflozin and finasteride groups. However, mild-to-moderate prostatic hyperplasia was observed in the empagliflozin group. Both SGLT2 inhibitors, ertugliflozin and empagliflozin, exhibited efficacy in alleviating BPH development, indicating a possible role in BPH therapy. Additional research is necessary to clarify their specific processes in BPH and clinical relevance.

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Author Biographies

Balen M. Khudhur, Department of Pharmacology, Medical Physics and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq

Balen Muhammed Khudhur is a Master's student in Pharmacology at the College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Iraq. Her research interests focus on pharmacological interventions in disease models, drug repurposing, and experimental therapeutics. She is currently working on preclinical studies aimed at evaluating the effects of pharmacological agents in animal models.

Nidhal A. M. Ali, Department of Pharmacology, Medical Physics and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Hawler Medical University, Erbil, Iraq

Nidhal A. Mohammed Ali is an Assistant Professor of Pharmacology in the College of Medicine at Hawler Medical University, Iraq. Dr. Nidhal's research spans pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, chemotherapeutic agents, endocrine and immunopharmacology, drug effects on fertility, complementary medicine, and treatment evaluation. 

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2025-07-01

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Khudhur BM, Ali NAM. Impact of SGLT2 Inhibitors on Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Rats. Cihan U Erbil SCI J [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 1 [cited 2026 Jun. 23];9(2):1-6. Available from: https://journals.cihanuniversity.edu.iq/index.php/cuesj/article/view/1446

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Vol. 9 No. 2 (2025)

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