Cavernous oxygen tension and smooth muscle fibers: relation and function.

PURPOSE

We studied the effect of intracavernous oxygen tension on the alteration of cavernous smooth muscle fibers in potent and impotent men.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Intracavernous oxygen tension (mm. Hg) was measured during flaccidity and 10 minutes after intracavernous prostaglandin E1 injection in psychogenic control patients, and those with venous leakage and arterial lesions. Cavernous biopsies were performed and the percent of smooth muscle fibers was analyzed objectively using immunohistochemical actin anti-actin staining. Simultaneously brachial oxygen tension (mm. Hg) was measured and the cavernous brachial oxygen tension index was then determined.

RESULTS

At flaccidity no significant difference was noted in oxygen tension values among the 3 groups of patients. After prostaglandin E1 injection cavernous oxygen tension and the cavernous brachial oxygen tension index in the control group were significantly different (p < 0.01) from those of the venogenic and arteriogenic groups (p < 0.01). The mean percent of cavernous smooth muscle fibers in the control group was significantly different from those of the venous leakage and arterial lesion groups (p < 0.01). There was a good correlation between the percent of cavernous muscle fibers and the value of oxygen tension before (p < 0.05) and after prostaglandin E1 injection (p < 0.01). A similar correlation was noted between cavernous muscle fibers and cavernous brachial oxygen tension index in the different groups of patients (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Reduction of the intracavernous smooth muscle fibers in impotent patients could be explained by low intracavernous oxygen tension.