Avocado Oil (Persea americana) Reduces Epithelial Proliferation on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of avocado oil on the histoarchitecture of the prostate of normal rats and on rats with induced benign prostatic hyperplasia using computerized histomorphometry and immunohistochemistry.MethodsTwenty-eight Wistar rats were divided into four groups: the control group (CG), the avocado oil group (AOG) fed with avocado oil-based diet, the induced group (IG), and the avocado oil testosterone-induced group (AOIG). Prostate hyperplasia was induced by subcutaneous implantation of silicone pellets, filled with testosterone, to promote androgen stimulation. After 12 weeks, the rats were euthanized, and their prostates were removed. The material was prepared for paraffin processing and stained using hematoxylin-eosin and immunostaining for p63 nuclear antigen.ResultsThe mean epithelial thickness obtained from AOIG (19.44 +/- 2.62 mu m) was significantly reduced compared to that from IG (27.02 +/- 4.1 mu m). The average alveolar area in AOIG was 0.100 +/- 0.03, which was greater than that of CG. The immunostaining for p63 in basal cells in AOIG was 17.77% +/- 2.72 of the total area, a result greater than that in AOG (12.13% +/- 2.04) and CG (12.01 +/- 2.05). Collagen remodeling was observed with thicker fibers predominating in CG and AOG over thinner fibers in IG and AOIG.ConclusionThe results suggest that avocado oil has a protective effect on the prostatic epithelium of Wistar rats subjected to long-term induced prostate hyperplasia.