Coconut Oil Mitigates the Effects of Aging on the Mongolian Gerbil Prostate

Abstract

Background: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a disease linked to the hormonal imbalance that occurs during aging and over the last decades, complementary and alternative medicines have come on the scene as a treatment option for BPH, such as herbal medicines. Coconut oil has been shown to be capable of interfering in testosterone-induced BPH. However, until now there is no study of the effect of coconut oil during aging. The present study evaluated the effect of the intake of coconut oil on the prostate of aging gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). Methods: Two experimental groups were assigned: Gavage control (GC—animals subjected to gavage with water for 1 year, n = 11) and coconut oil (CO—animals subjected to gavage with coconut oil for 1 year, n = 11). Testosterone, and estradiol serum levels were determined by ELISA assay and histopathological analysis employed Hematoxylin–Eosin. Cell proliferation index was determined by PHH3 immunohistochemistry and TUNEL assay and receptors of androgen (AR) and estrogen (ERα and ERβ) were evaluated on the prostate. Results: The CO group exhibited a lower prostate weight (↓16.62%), decreased thickness of the prostate muscle stroma (↓18.27%), reduced expression of both AR (↓51.32) and ERα (↓14.26%) and reduced the percentage of BPH (↓1.53%) and intraepithelial neoplasms in the prostate (↓14.24%). Coconut oil intake mitigated age-related changes and increased the rate of apoptosis in prostatic cells (↑54.32). Conclusions: Coconut oil treatment throughout aging helped counteract the negative effects of aging on prostate health.