Effects of the chronic use of finasteride and doxazosin mesylate on the histomorphometric characteristics of the prostate: experimental study in rats

Objective The objective of the present study is to evaluate the histomorphometric characteristics of the prostate of rats submitted to chronic (long-time) treatment with doxazosin mesylate, finasteride and both substances combined. Materials and methods Four groups of eight rats each were selected for this study and treated with saline solution (control), doxazosin mesylate, finasteride and combination of the drugs, during 10 months. After this time, the prostate was removed, weighed and sent for histological analysis. Prostate sections were stained with Masson trichrome. With an image analyzer, the percentage of smooth muscle, collagen, epithelium, acinar lumen and interstitial space was measured. Also, the minimum, medium and maximum epithelial thickness, number of acini per field, mean acinar area and the presence of papillary projections were evaluated. Results The mean prostate weight of rats treated with finasteride and combined treatment was lower when compared to the control group ( P