Effects of metformin on prostatic tissue of rats with metabolic syndrome and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Objectives To investigate the efficacy of insulin sensitizer on prostatic tissue in animal model with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) secondary to metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods Models were established by providing Sprague–Dawley rats with high fat diet (HFD) combined with metformin or not. All objects were killed 40 days later with prostatic tissue being removed, weighed before stained, as well as the expression level of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-1) and receptor (IGF-1R) being measured, and the level of insulin resistance (IR) has also been evaluated. Results Model has been successfully established. Level of prostatic hyperplasia and IR as well as IGF-1 and IGF-1R expressions in the blank and saline control subunits of HFD group was higher than that of normal diet group ( P