Hyperinsulinemia and dyslipidemia in non-diabetic benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

Background: BPH is a multifactorial disease. Several studies have elucidated the role of hormones and growth factors in its etiology. Insulin is a growth-stimulating hormone. Previous studies have reported the association between hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidemia and BPH in patients with metabolic disorders like diabetes. We evaluated insulin and lipid profile parameters in non-diabetic BPH cases and correlated it with prostate size.

Methods: 50 symptomatic BPH cases and 38 controls were included in this study. Fasting serum insulin concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. Insulin resistance was assessed by HOMA. Fasting glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides were quantified by enzymatic methods. HDL-cholesterol was quantified by phosphotungstate magnesium chloride method. LDL-cholesterol was calculated by Friedwald's formula.

Results: Fasting serum insulin, HOMA, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in cases as compared to controls. Insulin was significantly associated with prostate size, cholesterol, triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in BPH cases. Stepwise regression analysis showed insulin as an independent risk factor in the development of BPH.

Conclusions: Hyperinsulinemia associated with insulin resistance is an independent risk factor in the development of BPH.