title: [Intra-cavernous collagen analysis in impotence].
abstract: The role of the different components of the corpus cavernosum is very important in the physiopathology of erectile dysfunction. The precise function of collagen fibers in erectile physiology is controversial. We measured the different types of collagen (I, III, IV) in the corpus cavernosum of 26 impotent and potent men using cell image analysis and immunohistochemistry. We found differences in the distribution of collagen I, III, IV in each pathological group (arterial, caverno-venous, psychogenic). The augmentation of collagen I and the light diminution in collagen III makes the corpus cavernosum less compliant which translates clinically as an alteration in the filling of the vascular spaces and by dysfunction of the veno-occlusive mechanism. The diminution in collagen IV shows an alteration in the function of endothelial cells. The fact that in the psychogenic group we found also a diminution in collagen IV content, makes us infer that psychogenic impotence could be the first stage of an organic impotence.
authors.affiliation: Service d'Urologie, Hôpital Erasme, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgique.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Vanegas
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Raviv
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kiss
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Petein
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Louis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Danguy
authors.forename: C C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Schulman
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Wespes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000145:classification / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000737:chemistry*; D011602:Psychophysiologic Disorders / Q000378:metabolism; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen
vernacular_title: Analyse du collagène intracaverneux dans l'impuissance.