title: Human acellular matrix graft of tunica albuginea for penile reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Penile curvature is one of the most common male conditions, affecting nearly 10% of men, and can impair sexual intercourse. Tunica albuginea (hTA) plays a key role in penile curvature, and reconstructive procedures may be necessary for its substitution. Although several grafts have been proposed for hTA repair, the ideal graft is not yet available.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this article is to evaluate a new human tunica albuginea acellular matrix (hTAAM) as potential graft for penile reconstructive procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve penises were obtained during sex reassignment surgeries from male-to-female transsexual patients. After dissection, hTAs were assigned into two groups according to the decellularization methods: polyethylene glycol (PEG) 1000 method following ultraviolet-C radiation, and Triton X-100 modified method.
  
  
  METHODS
  Structural analyses were assessed by hematoxilin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, Weigert's, and picrosirius-polarization staining methods. Total protein, total glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and nucleic acid (DNA and RNA) concentrations were assessed by specific biochemical analyses. Uniaxial strength tests were performed to evaluate biomechanical properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All hTAAMs presented no nuclear or cellular remnants. Total protein concentration was significantly higher in PEG 1000 hTAAM. Despite GAG concentration decreased significantly in hTAAM, Triton X-100 hTAAM retained the highest GAG concentration (1.0 ± 0.42 µg HexUr/mg dry tissue, P > 0.05). All decellularization methods were efficacious to remove nucleic acids. The maximal break point presented no difference between hTA and hTAAM groups (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PEG 1000 and Triton X-100 decellularization methods provide equally successful hTAAMs, preserving original structural and biochemical properties.
authors.affiliation: Service of Urology, Pedro Ernesto Memorial Hospital, Rio de Janeiro State University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. alex@uerj.br
authors.forename: Fernando Gomes
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Aloísio Moreira
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: Ronaldo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Damião
authors.forename: Eloísio Alexsandro
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017830:Octoxynol; D010409:Penile Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D010413:Penis / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery*; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D019737:Transplants
chemical_list: D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D017830:Octoxynol