Androgen receptors in the development and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Introduction. One of the most common urological diseases of aging men is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Androgens and androgen receptors (AR) are essential for the proper development and functioning of the prostate of an adult, and research is ongoing to understand the mechanisms involved in androgen availability, transport and activity of AR in the prostate. The aim. To review current research on evidence of the involvement of androgen receptors in the development and progression of BPH. Materials and methods. Using the databases eLibrary, PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration and Embase, the search and analysis of publications over the past 20 years have been carried out. The key words were: benign prostatic hyperplasia; BPH; prostate; androgens; androgen receptors. The inclusion criteria were: prospective (cohort) studies and randomized clinical trials. The total number of sources included in this review was 40. Results. The review highlights the following sections: anatomy and function of pancreas, the role of androgens (A) and AR in the development and progression of BPH, unresolved issues of BPH pathogenesis, conclusions. An analysis of the work showed that changes in the expression/transmission of AR signals play an important role in the pathogenesis of BPH. However, there are still questions that need to be answered. Is BPH caused by the «awakening» of the pancreatic stroma with increased AR expression? Can BPH be initiated by a violation of AR signaling in the cells of the pancreatic lumen? On the one hand, many studies have proven a positive relationship between AR activity and the progression of BPH, however, there are works demonstrating alternative conclusions, consisting in the fact that suppression of AR activity, increased inflammation in the pancreas contribute to increased cell proliferation, and the progression of BPH. Conclusion. The mechanisms of AR involvement in the development and progression of BPH have not yet been clarified. New research in this area is needed.