Effect of experimental hypercholesterolemia on cavernosal structures.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of experimental hypercholesterolemia on the ultrastructure of cavernosal smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, elastic fibers, and collagen content, which are the key structures fundamental for erection.


METHODS
Forty-two New Zealand white rabbits were divided into a control group (group 1, n = 7, fed a standard diet), a hypercholesterolemia group (group 2, n = 20, fed a diet containing 1% cholesterol for 8 weeks), and a reversibility group (group 3, n = 15, fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks, then switched to a standard diet for 4 weeks). Blood samples were obtained for lipid determination before and after the study. The cavernosal tissues were obtained at the end of 8 weeks for groups 1 and 2 and at the end of 12 weeks for group 3 and immunohistochemical examinations of these cells were performed.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that hypercholesterolemia produces marked and reversible decreases in the cavernosal content of smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, and elastic fibers and increases the content of collagen 3 and 4.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that hypercholesterolemia in this animal model affects the percentage of staining for smooth muscle actin, endothelial cells, elastin, and collagen 3 and 4. However, since this effect is temporary depending on the blood cholesterol levels, it might not alter the erectile function.
Yeşilli
C
C
Department of Urology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
Yaman
O
O
Anafarta
K
K
D000818:Animals; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D003094:Collagen / Q000032:analysis*; D004727:Endothelium / Q000473:pathology*; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology*; D010413:Penis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000473:pathology*; D011817:Rabbits
D003094:Collagen; D002784:Cholesterol