The Effects of Finasteride on Apoptosis, Antioxidants, and Cytokines in Experimental Diabetes Rats

AKŞİT D., Altun E., Celebi M., Celebi C., AKŞİT H.

Journal of Applied Toxicology, vol.45, no.10, pp.2042-2054, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 45 Issue: 10
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1002/jat.4823
  • Journal Name: Journal of Applied Toxicology
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Communication Abstracts, Environment Index, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.2042-2054
  • Keywords: antiinflammatory, antioxidant, apoptosis, diabetes, finasteride
  • Kütahya Health Sciences University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the five leading causes of death worldwide. Finasteride is an inhibitor of type 2 5-alpha reductase enzyme. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of finasteride on apoptosis, oxidative stress, antioxidants, and cytokines in the liver, kidney, and testis in an experimental diabetes model in rats. Thirty-two male rats were randomly divided into four equal groups as follows: control, finasteride (30 mg/kg 14 days by gastric gavage), diabetes, and diabetes+finasteride. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and total antioxidant status (TAS) levels in liver, kidney, and testis tissues, and nitric oxide (NO), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in blood samples were examined. In addition, tissue sections were evaluated immunohistochemically (B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax)) and histopathologically. Induction of diabetes with streptozotocin resulted in an increase MDA, NO, IL-6, TNF-α levels whereas TAS and SOD decreased compared to the control group. Diabetes+Finasteride group was compared with the diabetes group decrease in MDA, NO, IL-6, TNF-α levels, and increase in TAS and SOD levels were observed. Finasteride suppressed apoptosis through the down regulation of Bax and the induction of the expression of Bcl-2 in the liver and kidney. Finasteride administration ameliorated some histopathological changes and decreased oxidative stress, apoptosis, and inflammation while increasing the antioxidant defense system in the STZ-induced diabetes group. In conclusion, finasteride might show a protective effect by suppressing oxidative stress and apoptosis and downregulation of proinflammatory cytokines in diabetic rats with its antioxidant and antiapoptotic effects. Human trials are needed before clinical application.