Serum adiponectin, C-peptide and leptin and risk of symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia: results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

Abstract

Background: Recent epidemiologic studies have identified obesity as a risk factor for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We examined whether adiponectin, leptin, and C-peptide were associated with incident, symptomatic BPH and whether these factors mediate the relationship between obesity and BPH risk.

Methods: Data are from Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial placebo arm participants who were free of BPH at baseline. Incident BPH (n = 698) was defined as treatment, two International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) values > 14, or an increase of >or=5 in IPSS from baseline documented on at least two occasions plus at least one score >or=12. Controls (n = 709) were selected from men reporting no BPH treatment or IPSS > 7 during the 7-year trial. Baseline serum was analyzed for adiponectin, C-peptide, and leptin concentrations.

Results: Neither C-peptide nor leptin was associated with BPH risk. The odds ratio [95% CI] contrasting highest to lowest quartiles of adiponectin was 0.65[0.47, 0.87] P(trend) = 0.004. Findings differed between levels of physical activity: there was a strong inverse association between adiponectin and BPH among moderately/very active men OR = 0.43 [0.29, 0.63], and no association among sedentary/minimally active men OR = 0.92 [0.65, 1.30] P(interaction) = 0.005. Adiponectin concentrations explained only a moderate amount of the relationship between obesity and BPH risk.

Conclusions: High adiponectin concentrations were associated with reduced risk of incident, symptomatic BPH. This association was limited to moderately/very active men; suggesting the relationship between obesity and BPH involves a complex interaction between factors affecting glucose uptake and insulin sensitivity. However, adiponectin is likely not the only mechanism through which obesity affects BPH risk.