Effects of ethanol on intracorporeal structures of the rat

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 mu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:International urology and nephrology 2006-01, Vol.38 (1), p.129-132
Main Authors: Yeşilli, Cetin, Mungan, Görkem, Seçkiner, Ilker, Akduman, Bülent, Numanoğlu, Gamze, Mungan, Aydin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Actins - metabolism
Animals
Central Nervous System Depressants - pharmacology
Collagen Type IV - metabolism
Elastic Tissue - drug effects
Elastic Tissue - ultrastructure
Ethanol - pharmacology
Male
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - drug effects
Myocytes, Smooth Muscle - ultrastructure
Penis - drug effects
Penis - metabolism
Penis - pathology
Rats
Rats, Wistar
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Summary: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. 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. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that chronic ethanol exposure markedly decreased the content of smooth muscle cells, elastic fibres and collagen type 4. 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.
ISSN:0301-1623
1573-2584
DOI:10.1007/s11255-005-3150-4