Piilot Study to Explore Effects of Low-Fat, Flaxseed-Supplemented Diet on Proliferation of Benign Prostatic Epithelium and Prostate-Specific Antigen
Piilot Study to Explore Effects of Low-Fat, Flaxseed-Supplemented Diet on Proliferation of Benign Prostatic Epithelium and Prostate-Specific Antigen
Year: 2004
Authors: Demark-Wahnefried, W., Robertson, C.N., Walther P.J., Polascik, T.J., Paulson, D.F., Vollmer, R.T.
Publication Name: Urology
Publication Details: Volume 63; Pages 900–904
Abstract:
Objectives. Dietary factors may influence the prostate and have an impact on prostatic growth and disease.
A small number of studies have suggested that flaxseed-supplemented, fat-restricted diets may thwart
prostate cancer growth in both animals and humans. Unknown, however, is the potential effect of such a diet on benign prostatic epithelium.
Methods. We undertook a pilot study to explore whether a flaxseed-supplemented, fat-restricted diet
affects the proliferation rates in benign epithelium. We also explored the effects on circulating levels of
prostate-specific antigen (PSA), total testosterone, and cholesterol. Fifteen men who were scheduled to
undergo repeat prostate biopsy were instructed to follow a low-fat (less than 20% kcal), flaxseed-supplemented (30 g/day) diet and were provided with a supply of flaxseed to last throughout the 6-month
intervention period. The PSA, total testosterone, and cholesterol levels were determined at baseline and at
6 months of follow-up. Reports from the original and repeat biopsies were compared, and proliferation
(MIB-1) rates were quantified in the benign prostatic epithelium.
Results. Statistically significant decreases in PSA (8.47 ± 3.82 to 5.72 ± 3.16 ng/mL; P = 0.0002) and
cholesterol (241.1 ± 30.8 to 213.3 ± 51.2 mg/dL; P = 0.012) were observed. No statistically significant
change was seen in total testosterone (434.5 ± 143.6 to 428.3 ± 92.5 ng/dL). Although 6-month repeat
biopsies were not performed in 2 cases because of PSA normalization, of the 13 men who underwent repeat biopsy, the proliferation rates in the benign epithelium decreased significantly from 0.022 ± 0.027 at
baseline to 0.007 ± 0.014 at 6 months of follow-up (P = 0.0168).
Conclusions. These pilot data suggest that a flaxseed-supplemented, fat-restricted diet may affect the
biology of the prostate and associated biomarkers. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine
whether flaxseed supplementation, a low-fat diet, or a combination of the two regimens may be of use in
controlling overall prostatic growth. Author's Abstract.
A small number of studies have suggested that flaxseed-supplemented, fat-restricted diets may thwart
prostate cancer growth in both animals and humans. Unknown, however, is the potential effect of such a diet on benign prostatic epithelium.
Methods. We undertook a pilot study to explore whether a flaxseed-supplemented, fat-restricted diet
affects the proliferation rates in benign epithelium. We also explored the effects on circulating levels of
prostate-specific antigen (PSA), total testosterone, and cholesterol. Fifteen men who were scheduled to
undergo repeat prostate biopsy were instructed to follow a low-fat (less than 20% kcal), flaxseed-supplemented (30 g/day) diet and were provided with a supply of flaxseed to last throughout the 6-month
intervention period. The PSA, total testosterone, and cholesterol levels were determined at baseline and at
6 months of follow-up. Reports from the original and repeat biopsies were compared, and proliferation
(MIB-1) rates were quantified in the benign prostatic epithelium.
Results. Statistically significant decreases in PSA (8.47 ± 3.82 to 5.72 ± 3.16 ng/mL; P = 0.0002) and
cholesterol (241.1 ± 30.8 to 213.3 ± 51.2 mg/dL; P = 0.012) were observed. No statistically significant
change was seen in total testosterone (434.5 ± 143.6 to 428.3 ± 92.5 ng/dL). Although 6-month repeat
biopsies were not performed in 2 cases because of PSA normalization, of the 13 men who underwent repeat biopsy, the proliferation rates in the benign epithelium decreased significantly from 0.022 ± 0.027 at
baseline to 0.007 ± 0.014 at 6 months of follow-up (P = 0.0168).
Conclusions. These pilot data suggest that a flaxseed-supplemented, fat-restricted diet may affect the
biology of the prostate and associated biomarkers. A randomized controlled trial is needed to determine
whether flaxseed supplementation, a low-fat diet, or a combination of the two regimens may be of use in
controlling overall prostatic growth. Author's Abstract.
