Lipid associated antioxidants: arylesterase and paraoxonase-1 in benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment-naïve patients

Background Oxidative stress and antioxidants have been implicated in many diseases including prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Lipid peroxidation contributes to oxidative stress. However, new and emerging antioxidants such as paraoxonase 1 (PON1) and arylesterase (ARE) associated with lipoprotein peroxidation have not been examined in BPH patients. PON1 and ARE, a high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol-bound enzyme system of antioxidants, protect low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and HDL from oxidation by hydrolysis. The study primarily determined paraoxonase (PON1) and ARE activities in BPH treatment-naïve patients. Materials and methods Sixty newly diagnosed patients (treatment-naïve) alongside 30 apparently healthy controls were recruited. Blood examinations included lipid profile (total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, HDL), glutathione peroxidase, PON1, ARE, and prostate specific antigen (PSA).Prostate volume and International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) were determined. Results PSA was significantly different between patient and control groups (P < 0.0001). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, and LDL were significantly higher in the patient group (P = 0.002, P < 0.001, P = 0.003, respectively). Glutathione peroxidase was very low in the patient group compared to the control group (5.65 ± 2.30 ng/mL and 17.43 ± 10.98 ng/mL, respectively). Although PON1 was higher in the patient group (50.22 ± 19.68/61.30 ± 29.55 ng/mL; P > 0.05), ARE was significantly lower in the patient group (61.31 ± 21.76/49.30 ± 19.82 ng/mL; P = 0.0098). No correlation was established between antioxidants and the lipid profile except for the LDL and PON1 patient group (r = 0.1486, P = 0.0374). Similarly, a weak correlation was also established between PSA and LDL in the patient group (r = -0.275, P = 0.033). PON1/HDL ratio was not significantly different. However, the ARE/HDL ratio was significantly lower in the patient group (P < 0.0001). Conclusion These results signify the presence of a higher lipoprotein peroxidation activity and lower lipid-associated antioxidant activity in the patient group. The ARE/HDL ratio is a better indicator of the HDL associated antioxidant than the PON1/HDL ratio or the individual antioxidants (PON1 and ARE) as reported by others.