Course of transforming growth factor ss 1 in the systemic and cavernous blood of healthy males through different penile conditions

Rahardjo, Harrina E.; Ueckert, Stefan; Bannowsky, Andreas; Tsikas, Dimitrios; Becker, Armin J. and Kuczyk, Markus A. (2019): Course of transforming growth factor ss 1 in the systemic and cavernous blood of healthy males through different penile conditions. In: Andrologia, Vol. 51, No. 1, e13150

Abstract

Studies on erectile dysfunction (ED) have revealed a relationship between smooth muscle atrophy and the accumulation of collagen in the corpus cavernosum (CC). Transforming growth factor ss 1 (TGF ss 1) is a cytokine which has been proposed to be involved in the fibrotic process in the CC. We aimed to evaluate the course of TGF ss 1 in the systemic and cavernous blood of 17 healthy males through different phases of the sexual arousal response (exemplified by the penile conditions flaccidity, tumescence, rigidity and detumescence). An enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure the concentration of TGF ss 1 (ng/ml) in both the systemic and cavernous blood at the stages of flaccidity, tumescence and detumescence. TGF levels were significantly higher in the cavernous compartment than in the systemic blood. A linear decrease was evident in the cavernous blood when the flaccid penis became tumescent (24.3 +/- 14.5 to 13.9 +/- 6.5) and rigid (to 8.7 +/- 3.1). At detumescence, TGF increased to 18.3 +/- 10.4. In contrast, the levels in the systemic circulation remained unchanged. The results are in support of the hypothesis that the concentration of TGF ss 1 in the CC is regulated by adequate blood flow and oxygenation.

• Item Type: Journal article
• Faculties: Medicine
• Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medicine and health
• ISSN: 0303-4569
• Language: English