Altered Contents of Smooth Muscle and Collagen in Corpus Cavernosum in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction.
- Author:
Hyung Keun PARK
1
;
Jun Hyuk HONG
;
Jong Yeon PARK
;
Tai Young AHN
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. tyahn@www.amc.seoul.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Collagen;
Corpus cavernosum;
Erectile dysfunction;
Penis
- MeSH:
Collagen*;
Erectile Dysfunction*;
Formaldehyde;
Humans;
Male;
Muscle, Smooth*;
Penile Erection;
Penile Implantation;
Penile Induration;
Penile Neoplasms;
Penis;
Relaxation
- From:Korean Journal of Andrology
2000;18(1):55-58
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: Cavernosal smooth-muscle relaxation is essential for penile erection Reduction or dysfunction of the muscle fibers can be related to impaired relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscle. Our study was aimed at seeing the changes in penile smooth muscle and collagen tissue in patients with erectile dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twelve impotent patients (study group; mean age 56.3 years) and five penile cancer patients (control group; mean age 57.6 years) were included. The cause of the impotence was Peyronie's disease, diabetes, and unknown in four patients each. Cavernosal tissues were obtained at the time of penile prosthesis implantation and fixed immediately in 10% Formalin. After staining with Masson's trichrome, analysis of smooth muscle fibers was performed using ImagePro. RESULTS: The smooth muscle ratio was 75.1+/-8.19% (SD) in the control group, 37.7+/-12.2 in Peyronie's disease, 37.1+/-18.4% in the patients with diabetes, and 52.2+/-10.6% in the group with no known underlying disease. There was a statistically significant difference in the smooth muscle ratio between the study and control group, but among the study groups, no significant difference was noted. CONCLUSIONS: Altered content of smooth muscle may contribute to the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction.
