New in vivo model to assess macroscopic, histological, and molecular changes in Peyronie's disease

Background Peyronie's Disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder that affects the tunica albuginea (TA) of the penis causing curvature and erectile dysfunction. The pathophysiology is not well understood and, for this reason, treatment options are limited. Objective The aim of the present study is to analyze and compare whether single or multiple instillations of plasma in the TA of rats is capable of triggering macroscopic, histopathological, and molecular changes consistent with PD. Material/methods Fifty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: Group 1: a single instillation of plasma in the TA; Group 2: a single instillation of distilled water in the TA; Group 3: four instillations of plasma in the TA (1x per week); and Group 4: four instillations of distilled water in the TA (1× per week). Forty‐five days after the last instillation a manual inspection of the corpus cavernosum, a penile erection test and a penectomy were performed to obtain material for histopathological and molecular analysis. Results It was observed that 31.25% of the rats that received repeated instillations of plasma presented penile curvature according to the erection test, while none of the rats from the control group or group with one instillation of plasma presented curvature. In the animals that received four instillations of plasma, the following differences were observed in relation to the control group: increase in fibrosis and the deposition of collagen I. The protein expression of heparanase (HPSE) and TGF‐β increased in the groups that received a single or four instillations of plasma, and the protein expression of heparanase‐2 (HPSE‐2), metalloproteinases (MMP‐2, MMP‐9) and metalloproteinase inhibitor (TIMP‐2) showed an increase in the group that received four instillations of plasma. There was a significant increase in the gene expression of HPSE, MMP‐9, and TGF‐β in the group that received four instillations of plasma. In the analysis of the glycosaminoglycans, an increase was observed in the secretion of galactosaminoglycans chondroitin sulfate and dermatan sulfate (CS/DS) in the group that received four instillations of plasma. Discussion Previous studies have demonstrated increased protein expression. of HPSE, MMP‐9 and TGF‐β with instillation of blood in the TA; however, there was no increase in gene expression. In the present study, the increase in the expression of TGF‐β with plasma instillations, proved to be more reliable. The two models with plasma