Horm Metab Res 2003; 35(5): 296-300
DOI: 10.1055/s-2003-41305
Original Clinical
© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Metabolic Profile in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia or Prostate Cancer and Normal Glucose Tolerance

P.  F.  Zamboni1 , M.  Simone2 , A.  Passaro1 , E.  Doh  Dalla Nora1 , R.  Fellin1 , A.  Solini3
  • 1 Section of Internal Medicine II, University of Ferrara
  • 2 Division of Urology, Arcispedale S. Anna Ferrara
  • 3 Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pisa, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received 25 July 2002

Accepted after Revision 8 November 2002

Publication Date:
13 August 2003 (online)

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Abstract

Familial predisposition together with several environmental factors may be involved in the pathogenesis of common prostate disease such as benign hypertrophy or prostate neoplasm. A higher incidence of both these conditions has been described in some insulin-resistant states such as obesity, but not much information is available on the effect of metabolic profile on gland morphology. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between glucose and lipid pattern and prostate diameters in two groups of non-diabetic individuals with benign prostate hypertrophy or cancer. 109 patients were recruited; plasma glucose, lipids and hormonal profile as well as an ultrasonographic evaluation of the gland volume and diameters were determined. Patients with prostate cancer had significantly higher levels of insulin and were more insulin resistant; in contrast, in subjects with prostate hypertrophy, fasting plasma glucose and - to a lesser extent - serum triglycerides emerged as the main determinants of gland volume. These observations may indicate that an improvement of insulin sensitivity and strategies to maintain a strict glucose and lipid control even in non-diabetic subjects are useful objectives in the prevention of prostate diseases.

References

A. Solini, M.D. 

Department of Internal Medicine University of Pisa · Section of Internal Medicine III ·

Via Roma 67 · 56100 Pisa

Phone: +39(050)993482

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Email: a.solini@int.med.unipi.it