This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Leungwattanakij, S. Articles by Hellstrom, W. J.G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Leungwattanakij, S. Articles by Hellstrom, W. J.G.

Cavernous Neurotomy Causes Hypoxia and Fibrosis in Rat Corpus Cavernosum

From the Department of Urology, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Correspondence to: Wayne J.G. Hellstrom MD, Tulane University School of Medicine, Department of Urology SL-42, 1430 Tulane Avenue, New Orleans, LA 70112 (e-mail: whellst{at}tulane.edu).

The etiologies of erectile dysfunction (ED) after nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy have not been clearly elucidated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cavernous nerve injury on cavernous fibrosis, and to consider measures to prevent irreversible damage to the cavernous tissues. Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats constituted the study population. The animals were divided into 2 groups; group 1 consisted of sham-operated rats (n = 10), and group 2 consisted of rats that underwent incision of both cavernous nerves (n = 10). Three months later, all rats underwent intracavernous papaverine injection (300 and 600 mg), and intracorporal pressures were recorded. Transforming growth factor-ß₁ (TGF-ß₁) messenger RNA (mRNA) expression from rat penile tissue was measured using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1), TGF-ß₁, and collagen I and III protein expressions were determined by Western blot analysis and immunohistochemical staining. Erectile function as studied with intracavernosal papaverine injection and histological analysis of penile cross-sections at 3 months was similar in both groups. TGF-ß₁ mRNA expression, HIF-1, TGF-ß₁, and collagen I and III protein expressions were significantly greater in the neurotomy group. Immunohistochemical staining for TGF-ß₁, HIF-1, and collagen III were qualitatively more positive in the neurotomy group, whereas collagen I staining was similar. This study demonstrates an increase in TGF-ß₁, HIF-1, and collagen III synthesis in rat cavernosal smooth musculature after cavernous neurotomies. In theory, cavernous fibrosis may be reduced by employing various vasoactive agents or interventions that increase oxygenation to the corporal tissues during the postoperative period.

     Key words: Erectile dysfunction, radical prostatectomy, neurapraxia

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M.G. Ferrini, I. Kovanecz, S. Sanchez, D. Vernet, H.H. Davila, J. Rajfer, and N.F. Gonzalez-Cadavid Long-Term Continuous Treatment with Sildenafil Ameliorates Aging-Related Erectile Dysfunction and the Underlying Corporal Fibrosis in the Rat Biol Reprod, May 1, 2007; 76(5): 915 - 923. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. Kaur, F. W. Khwaja, E. A. Severson, S. L. Matheny, D. J. Brat, and E. G. Van Meir Hypoxia and the hypoxia-inducible-factor pathway in glioma growth and angiogenesis Neuro-oncol, April 1, 2005; 7(2): 134 - 153. [Abstract] [PDF]