Previously, we demonstrated the changes of erectile tissues by intraperitoneal administration of BPA with toxic dose (cumulative dose of 900mg) in the rabbit. We performed this study to investigate the changes of erectile tissues by intracavernosal administration of BPA with low dose. New Zealand white rabbits were treated intracavernosally with 1 mg, 1 micro gram, 1 ng, and 1pg of BPA. Four weeks after administration of BPA, the contractions and relaxation of cavernosal tissue strips were significantly suppressed in the BPA-treated animals in a dose-dependent fashion compared with the control animals. Histologically, thickening of tunica albuginea by increased collagen fibers, subtunical deposition of fat, and decreased sinusoidal space by severe cavernosal smooth muscle hyperplasia with fibrosis were observed in the BPA treated animals. These results suggest that xenoestrogen BPA may affect the erectile function through evident histological changes of the penis in low dose.
Animals ; Collagen ; Fibrosis ; Hyperplasia ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth ; Penis ; Rabbits ; Relaxation

PURPOSE: A variety of biodegradable polymers have been utilized to fabricate matrices for engineering genitourinary tissues, Chitosan is a biosynthetic polysaccharide that is the deacetylated derivative of chitin. The aims were to investigate the characteristics of the newly developed porous chitosan-based biodegradable scaffolds and to reconstruct cavernosal smooth muscle structure in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To study the cytotoxicity of the newly developed scaffolds, cultured L929 murine fibroblasts were stained with PKH-26 and then cultured on culture plate or loaded in chitosan/hyaluronic acid polymers. For in vivo study, human corpus cavernosal smooth muscle cells were seeded on the scaffolds at concentration of 20*106 cells per cm3 .A total of 24 polymer scaffolds were implanted subcutaneously with cells in one side and without cells in the other side, respectively, in 12 athymic mice, Mice were scarificed 7, 14, 28 days after implantation, respectively. H-E stain and monoclonal anti-alpha smooth muscle actin stain were performed. RESULTS: Scanning electron micrographs of chitosan and 0.03% hyaluronic acid based scaffolds showed sheet-like porous structure. The cell division numbers of L929 murine fibroblasts sere significantly increased in scaffolds by chitosan/hyaluronic acid compared with chitosan alone, Histologically the retrieved polymers seeded with cavernosal smooth muscle cells showed organized smooth muscle structure 28 days after implantation. immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the smooth muscle phenotype. CONCLUSION: These results show that porous chitosan-based biodegradable scaffolds are new biomaterials for the reconstruction of cavernosal smooth muscle structure. However, further studies are needed to make cavernosal sinusoidal structure using this new scaffolds.
Actins ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials ; Cell Division ; Chitin ; Chitosan ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Hyaluronic Acid ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Penis ; Phenotype ; Polymers ; Tissue Engineering

PURPOSE: Diabetes changes the properties of collagen in our body tissue, increasing cross-linked collagen via nonenzymatic glycosylation and accumulation of advanced glycosylation end products. Glucose-derived cross-linked collagen formation may contribute to the development of chronic diabetic complications such as decreasing the compliance of tissue. Aminoguanidine, a hydrazine compound, prevent formation of glucose-derived collagen cross-linking. We studied the change of the properties of collagen in the corpus cavernosum by diabetes and the effects of insulin and aminoguanidine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Diabetes was induced in male Sprague-Dawley rat and maintained for 12 weeks. Rats were divided into four groups: 1) control, 2) diabetics, 3) diabetics treated with insulin, 4) diabetics treated with aminoguanidine. Concentration of collagen in cavernosal tissue was measured by hydroxyproline content and expressed as hydroxyproline (micro gram) / dried defatted tissue (mg). The characteristic autofluorescence of glycosylated connective tissues of penile tissue was used to quantitate advanced glycosylation end products. RESULTS: The content of collagen in cavernosal tissue was not significantly different among experimental groups. Cross-linked collagen expressed as fluorescence (U/micro gram hydroxyproline) was increased in diabetic group (61.6+/-5.1) compared to control group (24.1+/-3.2) and it was decreased in both insulin-treated group (36.9+/-7.4) and aminoguanidine-treated group (37.9+/-5.8) compared to diabetic group. CONCLUSIONS: Our studies revealed that the properties of collagen in corpus cavernosum was changed by diabetes and that aminoguanidine as well as insulin prevented the diabetes-induced crossed linked collagen formation.
Animals ; Collagen* ; Compliance ; Connective Tissue ; Diabetes Complications ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Fluorescence ; Glycosylation ; Glycosylation End Products, Advanced ; Humans ; Hydroxyproline ; Insulin* ; Male ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: Nitric oxide (NO) has recently been identified as the main neurotransmitter involved in the nonadrenergic-noncholinergic (NANC) pathway and is responsible for penile erection. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing nerve regeneration can be seen 6 months after unilateral cavernosal nerve neurotomy in rats. However its molecular mechanism is still unknown. It is believe that growth factors are involved in this phenomenon. In this study I investigated the change of NOS containing nerve fibers and the RNA expression of insulin like growth factor (IGF)-I, nerve growth factor (NGF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-alpha, TGF-beta 1, TGF-beta 2, TGF-beta 3, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), nNOS and eNOS on the penis after cavernosal neurotomy in rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male rats were divided into three groups: sham operation (n=12); unilateral neurotomy of a 5-mm segment of the cavernosal nerve (n=18); and bilateral neurotomy (n=18). Electrostimulation of the cavernosal nerve of pelvic ganglion was performed at 1,3 and 6 months. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase staining was used to identify NOS in the penile nerve fibers. The gene expressions for growth factors, nNOS and eNOS were investigated in corporal tissue by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using specific oligonucleotide primers. RESULTS: One month after neurotomy, both unilateral and bilateral neurotomy groups showed significant decreases in NOS-containing nerve fibers on the dorsal and intracavernosal nerves on the side of neurotomy and significantly lower mRNA expressions of nNOs, IGF-I and TGF-beta 2, and the unilateral neurotomy group showed higher mRNA expression of eNOS and VEGF189. At 3 months, the number of NOS-containing nerve fibers in the unilateral neurotomy group increased only slightly but at 6 months, those in the intracavernosal nerve increased in a significant amount (p<0.0001),however mRNA expressions of nNOs, IGF-I and TGF-beta . , showed significant increases as early as at 3 months, After bilateral neurotomy, the NOS-positive nerve fibers in the dorsal and intracavernosal nerve were significantly decreased at 1 month and remained so at 6 months; no erectile response could be elicited by pelvic ganglion stimulation. In the unilateral neurotomy group at 6 months, more NOS-positive neurons in the pelvic ganglia were found on the intact side than on the side of the neurotomy (p<0.005), indicating that the regeneration derived from pelvic ganglion neurons on the intact side. Furthermore, electrostimulation in the unilateral neurotomy group revealed a greater maximal intracavernosal pressure and a shorter latency period at 6 months than at 1 month (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that IGF-I and TGF-beta 2, may play a key role in regeneration of NOS-containing nerve fibers in the dorsal and intracavernosal nerves, and eNOS increases temporarily in the intracavernosum involving VEGF189 after unilateral cavernosal nerve injury.
Animals ; DNA Primers ; Ganglia ; Ganglion Cysts ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins* ; Latency Period (Psychology) ; Male ; NADP ; Nerve Fibers ; Nerve Growth Factor ; Nerve Regeneration ; Neurons ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; Rats* ; Regeneration* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; Transforming Growth Factors

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate the serial alteration of collagen after resolution of the priapism in mechanically induced veno-occlusive priapism of rat model. METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats were used and divided into control and experimental groups (3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours according to the duration of ischemic time). The corpora were dissected out at 4 weeks after the relief of veno-occlusive condition, and then the collagen concentration was quantified. Type I, III and IV collagen were determined by immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The corporal collagen concentration showed significant increase in the groups of 12, 24, 48 hours of ischemic time. Types III collagen did not increased in intensity, but type I & IV collagen showed gradual increase in intensity according to the time interval of ischemic period. CONCLUSIONS: The irreversible collagen alteration in corpus cavernosum with veno-occlusive priapism occurred in case of 12 or more hours of ischemic time before resolution. Earlier non-surgical management is necessary for the patients to be safe from further cumulative damages either by recurrent episode or other kinds of disease.
Animals ; Collagen* ; Humans ; Male ; Models, Animal ; Priapism* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

No abstract available.
Aging* ; Humans ; Male*

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: Various causes may be the etiology of gynecomastia. We investigated the levels of serum estradiol (E2), testosterone (T), ratio of E2 to T (E2/T) as well as associated diseases, drugs as the cause of gynecomastia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: E2, T, E2/T in 37 patients from gynecomastia patients (GP) and 10 healthy men were measured, and the associated diseases and drugs in 68 GP were also evaluated. Ultrasound for the adrenal gland diseases, physical examination or ultrasound for the testicular pathology were performed. RESULTS: The cause of gynecomastia varied according to the age. The levels of E2, T, E2/T in control group (CG) were 35.3 3.9 pg/ml, 5.0 0.4 ng/ml, 7.1 0.5. Those in GP were 48.7 7.1 pg/ml, 4.3 0.3 ng/ml, 12.0 1.8, respectively. The difference of E2/T as well as E, T between CG and GP was not significant. Various associated diseases or drugs were found in GP. Adrenal diseases or testicular cancer were not found in GP. CONCLUSIONS: The difference of E2/T between CG and GP is not the only cause of gynecomastia. Thus, the consideration of the age as well as associated diseases or drugs will be helpful for the better understanding of high E2/T as the cause of gynecomastia
Adrenal Gland Diseases ; Estradiol ; Gynecomastia* ; Humans ; Male ; Pathology ; Physical Examination ; Testicular Neoplasms ; Testosterone ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: The association of varicoceles and subfertility has been well documented. Although varicoceles remain the most common surgically correctable cause of male infertility the subjective diagnosis of varicocele, especially the small ones remains a challenge. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 40 young men (16 volunteers, 24 varicocele patients) with scrotal blood pool scan using 99mTc RBC. RESULTS: Complete correlation between physical findings and the scrotal scan was found. The postoperative scans of 12 patients with surgically corrected high grade varicoceles demonstrated symmetrical photon accumulation in the scrotum. The technique which most accurately correlated the clinical grade was the varicocele index using total count at Valsalva maneuver. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that the 99mTc RBC scrotal scan with technical refinement is a useful procedure in the objective diagnosis and followup of varicoceles.
Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Infertility ; Infertility, Male ; Male ; Scrotum ; Valsalva Maneuver ; Varicocele* ; Volunteers

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides on the expression of TGF-beta1 in the penile corpus cavernosum of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (200-210 g) were divided into two groups: control (n=10) and experimental group (n=30). The experimental group was received intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). After 2 weeks, development of diabetes was verified by measuring body weight and blood sugar levels. The experimental group was divided further into 3 groups: vehicle (liposome only), sense oligomer group, and antisense oligomer (5'-CCGAGGGCGGCATGGGGGA-3') group. Penile tissues were used to perform Western analysis and immunohistochemistry for the TGF-beta1 expression. RESULTS: The mean glucose concentrations were 86 9 mg/dl in the control group and 485 119 mg/dl in the experimental group. Downregulation of TGF-beta1 protein expression was noted in the antisense oligomer group compared to sense oligomer group. In the immunohistochemistry, control group showed weak immunoreactivity whereas vehicle or sense oligomer group showed strong immunoreactivity both after 1 and 5 days of treatment. Antisense oligomer treated diabetic group showed weak immunoreactivity similar to control group after 1 day of treatment, even though they showed similar immunoreactivity as vehicle or sense oligomer group after 5 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides suppressed the expression of TGF-beta1 in the corpus cavernosum of diabetic rats. It implies that penile corpus cavernosal fibrosis may be prevented by the application of antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides.
Animals ; Blood Glucose ; Body Weight ; Down-Regulation* ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Fibrosis ; Glucose ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Injections, Intravenous ; Male ; Oligonucleotides* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Streptozocin ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1*