Effects of ethanol on intracorporeal structures of the rat.
OBJECTIVE
Previous studies demonstrated that acute in vitro exposure of corpus cavernosal tissue to ethanol decreased its response to field stimulation and pharmacological stimulation. In the present study we investigated the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on the ultrastructure of cavernosal smooth muscle cells, elastic fibres and collagen content.


METHODS
Fourteen adult wistar rats were divided into a control group (n = 7, fed a standard diet and tap water) and an alcoholic group (n = 7, fed a standard diet and 5% (v/v) ethanol in drinking water and by increasing the ethanol concentration for every week, at the end of 6th week 30% (v/v) ethanol concentration was attained. Same dose was given until 12th week. At the end of 12th week blood samples were obtained and the ethanol concentrations were determined. The cavernosal tissues were obtained and immunohistochemical examinations were performed.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that chronic ethanol exposure markedly decreased the content of smooth muscle cells, elastic fibres and collagen type 4.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that in this animal model chronic ethanol exposure decreases the percentage of staining for smooth muscle actin, elastin, and collagen type 4 which are the key structures fundamental for erection.
Yeşilli
Cetin
C
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Karaelmas University, Kozlu/Zonguldak, Turkey. cyesilli@hotmail.com
Mungan
Görkem
G
Seçkiner
Ilker
I
Akduman
Bülent
B
Numanoğlu
Gamze
G
Mungan
Aydin
A
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024141:Collagen Type IV / Q000378:metabolism*; D004547:Elastic Tissue / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D000431:Ethanol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar
D000199:Actins; D002492:Central Nervous System Depressants; D024141:Collagen Type IV; D000431:Ethanol; C498862:Acta2 protein, rat