Relationship and potential mechanisms between gut microbiota and benign prostatic hyperplasia

Abstract

Microbiota is defined as symbiotic microflora living in specific parts of the human body, with the gut microbiota being one of the largest microbiotas in the human body. In recent years, research on the microbiome has provided new perspectives on human health and disease, with increasing evidence suggesting a link between gut microbiota imbalance and the progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Disruption of the gut microbiota may lead to local or systemic inflammation affecting BPH, with changes in levels of sex hormones, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) induced by gut microbiota, and metabolic syndrome (MS) possibly involved in BPH development. Furthermore, alterations in gut microbiota composition during aging and dietary may also be factors influencing BPH. This article focuses on recent advances in research on the gut microbiota and BPH, exploring how gut microbiota is linked to BPH through inflammation, sex hormones, IGF-1, MS, aging, and diet to provide new perspectives and approaches for the prevention and treatment of BPH by interfering with the gut microbiota.

Keywords

• gut microbiota
• benign prostatic hyperplasia
• sex hormones
• inflammation
• metabolic disorders