© 2020 |Published by Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates 243 Saudi Journal of Biomedical Research Abbreviated Key Title: Saudi J Biomed Res ISSN 2518-3214 (Print) |ISSN 2518-3222 (Online) Scholars Middle East Publishers, Dubai, United Arab Emirates Journal homepage: https://saudijournals.com/sjbr Original Research Article Evaluation of Diclofenac (DCF) Potassium as a Possible Predisposer of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Wistar Albino Rats Moses Zira Zaruwa 1 , Yusuf Bawa Muhammad 1 , Halima Sadiya Abdullahi 1 , Muhammed Abdullahi Ubana 1* , Kingsley Ikechukwu Ubaoji 2 , and Ruqaiyatu Muhammad Adamu 3 1 Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria 2 Department of Applied Biochemistry, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Nigeria 3 Department of Pharmacy, Federal Medical Centre, Keffi, Nasarawa State, Nigeria DOI: 10.36348/sjbr.2020.v05i08.003 | Received: 05.07.2020 | Accepted: 19.07.2020 | Published: 22.08.2020 *Corresponding author: Ubana Muhammed Abdullahi Abstract Background: Diclofenac (DCF) is a drug widely consumed in developing countries like Nigeria, because of its fast and immediate effect on pains. Objectives: The high number of adult males falling victims to BPH made DCF a suspect in the predisposition to BPH. Methods: Thirsty Six (36) Male Wistar albino rats were divided into five groups of six animals each. Group 1; the Normal control (NC) was injected subcutaneously with olive oil only, Group 2; standard group treated with testosterone Propionate in olive oil (3 mg / kg b.wt.). Groups 3, 4, and 5 were treated with Diclofenac, potassium in solution as low (2 mg / kg b.wt.), mid (4 mg / kg b.wt.), and high (6 mg / kg b.wt.) doses respectively. All animals were fed same diets throughout the twelve (12) weeks. After this period, the rats were allowed to fast overnight then Blood samples were collected and analyzed for liver function, kidney function, lipid profile, prostate specific antigen (PSA), and haematological parameters. Results: The result showed an elevation in liver parameters; ALT, ALP, AST, total bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin in the treatment groups compared to the control. Conversely, the concentration of Na + , Cl - and HCO 3 - revealed no significant difference compared to the control while urea and creatinine increased significantly. Haematological parameters showed increase in WBC, PCV, PLT in the treatments groups while RBC, Hb, MCV decreased. For lipid profile; Total cholesterol, TG, HDL and LDL increased significantly in the groups treated with mid and high dose DCF. Conclusion: The level of PSA was found to increase in all the treatment groups compared to the control. This result revealed that DCF-Potassium at high concentration can inter fare with the liver and kidney functions, lipid profile and haematological parameters as well as increasing PSA level. Thus, we conclude that persistent consumption of DCF can likely predispose to BPH. Keywords: Benign prostate hyperplasia, Diclofenac, Haematological paramaters, Prostate specific antigen. Copyright @ 2020: This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium for non-commercial use (NonCommercial, or CC-BY-NC) provided the original author and source are credited. INTRODUCTION Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is a progressive pathologic condition associated with elderly men and characterized by proliferation of prostatic tissues, prostate enlargement and consequent lower urinary tract symptoms [1]. These include urinary reluctance, frequent urination, weak stream, and nocturia [2]. Although nearly 70% of men, experience prostate enlargement, after the age of 50, the pathogenesis of BPH is yet to be fully understood [2]. Within the transitional zone of the prostate, proliferation of both epithelial and stromal cells occurs. This accumulation of cells could lead to prostatitis and fibrosis, collectively causing lower urinary tract symptoms [3]. BPH development is associated with increased levels of dihydrotestosterone (DHT), produced from testosterone by the 5α-reductase enzyme within the prostate glands [2, 3].There is an increased accumulation of DHT in the prostate with aging which results in increased cell growth and hyperplasia [3]. Benign prostate hyperplasia also involves increased adrenergic tone in prostate smooth muscle mediated by α1-adrenoceptors [4]. Prostatic epithelial cells secrete Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA); a glycoprotein in humans that performs various functions during copulation and fertilization [4, 5]. Serum PSA levels are often elevated in prostate disorders such as BPH and are used as a clinical marker for disease prognosis [5, 6].