Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Is Expressed in the Prostate Gland of Lean and Obese Rats

Abstract

Background and Objective: The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has been implicated in obesity and related disorders. The tissue distribution of AhR in the prostates of rats suffering from metabolic syndrome were explored in this study. Materials and Methods: In animal model, i.e., male Wistar rats obesity and metabolic syndrome were induced in them. The rats were divided into lean (normal) and obese groups, both groups received standard rat food and drinking water but the obese group also received a sustained supply of 20% w/v of fructose. Morphometric, biochemical, histological and immunohistochemical methods were used. Results: AhR was expressed in both the lean and obese rats but it showed higher regulation in the obese group, which had diffused cytoplasmic and nuclear staining in the prostatic epithelium, in lean rats, the expression was only nuclear. This higher expression pattern led to the obese rats having a shorter prostatic epithelium than the lean rats had. AhR was also expressed in the mast cells of both groups. Conclusion: Higher regulation of AhR in the prostatic epithelium during the induction of metabolic syndrome points to AhRs direct involvement in prostate pathology. It thus may be possible to use AhR as a therapeutic target to control metabolic syndrome-induced prostate problems.