Toxic effects of ethanol administration on rat prostate and the controversies about the role of alcohol drinking in prostate cancer induction

M.I. DÍAZ GÓMEZ; C. RODRÍGUEZ DE CASTRO; S.L. FANELLI; A.M.A. DELGADO DE LAYÑO; M.H. COSTANTINI; J.A. CASTRO; G.D. CASTRO

Washington DC

Congreso; International Research Conference on Food, Nutrition and Cancer; 2006

American Institute for Cancer Research / World Cancer Research Foundation

Potential correlation between alcohol (EtOH) consumption and prostate cancer led to controversial findings. It would be important to know whether prostate tissue upon interaction with EtOH, leads to similar alterations to those attributed for EtOH promoted liver cell injury or cancer. Previous results from our laboratory showed that prostate cytosolic and microsomal fractions are able to activate EtOH to acetaldehyde (AC) and 1-hydroxyethyl radicals. Present studies were performed in SD male rats fed with a nutritionally adequate liquid diet containing EtOH for 28 days and compared against adequately pair fed controls. Prostate microsomal fractions showed a CYP2E1-mediated EtOH metabolism and that activity was induced by repetitive EtOH drinking. Cytosolic activation of AC led to acetyl radical, as detected by spin trapping with PBN and GC-MS analysis.  Low activities of ADh and AlDh were observed in prostate tissue and AC accumulation occurred after EtOH administration. An increased oxidability of lipids  was detected by chemiluminiscence emission and by increased levels of lipid hydroperoxides. Alterations in epithelial cells involved marked condensation of chromatin, moderate dilatation of ER and some cells undergoing apoptosis. In summary, alcohol drinking leads to the formation of mutagenic AC and to tumor-promoting oxidative stress. However, it exerts direct and undirect proapoptotic effects in the prostate epithelial cells. The balance between both actions might explain, at least in part, many controversial results observed in epidemiological studies.Supported by CONICET (PIP 02323) and UNSAM (PIDA UF013).