I read with great interest and appreciated very much the article written by Russo A, Capogrosso P, La Croce G et al. [Citation1].
In their review, the authors consider the various possibilities of treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They discuss that the combination serenoa (SeR)–selenium (Se)–lycopene (Ly) was reported to increase the therapeutic activity of SeR alone in a rodent model of bladder outlet obstruction, reducing inflammation in the prostate. Our previous studies suggest that the combined treatment with SeR–Se–Ly was more effective than the single treatments in preventing the histological features of BPH, causing a greater pro-apoptosis enhancing effect in the prostate of BPH rats [Citation2,Citation3]. Moreover, Ly alone showed a better protection than SeR and Se and the combination SeR-Se-Ly produced the highest expression of caspase 3 and inhibition of NAIP and survivin [Citation3]. It can be assumed that the major benefits in the combination SeR-Se-Ly are related to presence of Ly and not SeR. I believe that the potent action of combination SeR-Se-Ly in inhibiting the apoptosis and inflammation should be tested in the prevention of prostatic carcinoma. Finally, I should like to congratulate the authors for their splendid paper.
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The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.
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References
- Russo A, Capogrosso P, La Croce G, et al. Serenoa repens, selenium and lycopene to manage lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Expert Opin Drug Saf. 2016 Jun;1:1–10.
- Minutoli L, Altavilla D, Marini H, et al. Inhibitors of apoptosis proteins in experimental benign prostatic hyperplasia: effects of serenoa repens, selenium and lycopene. J Biomed Sci. 2014 Mar;10(21):19.
- Altavilla D, Bitto A, Polito F, et al. The combination of Serenoa repens, selenium and lycopene is more effective than serenoa repens alone to prevent hormone dependent prostatic growth. J Urol. 2011 Oct;186(4):1524–1529.