INTRODUCTION: Many clinical studies reported finasteride-related erectile dysfunction, but to date, few animal experiments have focused on it. AIM: To investigate the effects of oral finasteride on erectile function in a rat model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Erectile responses and morphological changes. METHODS: Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (25/group): (i) control; (ii) castration; (iii) castration with testosterone (T) replacement; and (iv) oral finasteride treatment. Four weeks later, erectile function was measured by the ratio of intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial blood pressure upon electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Serum T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and intraprostatic DHT were measured. The weights and histopathological features of the penile corpus cavernosum and prostate were examined. RESULTS: Serum T and DHT and intraprostatic DHT concentrations, erectile function, and mean weights of the corpus cavernosum and prostate were lowest in group 2. There was no significant difference in the serum T concentration and erectile function between groups 4 and 1. However, the serum and intraprostatic DHT concentrations were significantly lower in group 4 than in group 1 (both P < 0.001). The tissue weights of the corpus cavernosum and prostate were reduced by 25.9% and 92.3% in group 4 compared with group 1 (both P < 0.001). Histopathology revealed a significant atrophy of the prostate in groups 2 and 4. There was a significant decrease in the smooth muscle content in group 2, but not in groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: In a rat model, finasteride treatment for 4 weeks reduces the weight of the corpus cavernosum but appears not to affect the erectile responses to electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. As erection is a complex process involving important signaling in the brain, further studies are necessary to demonstrate the long-term effects of finasteride on both central and peripheral neural pathways of erection.
INTRODUCTION: Many clinical studies reported finasteride-related erectile dysfunction, but to date, few animal experiments have focused on it. AIM: To investigate the effects of oral finasteride on erectile function in a rat model. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Erectile responses and morphological changes. METHODS: Adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups (25/group): (i) control; (ii) castration; (iii) castration with testosterone (T) replacement; and (iv) oral finasteride treatment. Four weeks later, erectile function was measured by the ratio of intracavernosal pressure and mean arterial blood pressure upon electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Serum T and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and intraprostatic DHT were measured. The weights and histopathological features of the penile corpus cavernosum and prostate were examined. RESULTS: Serum T and DHT and intraprostatic DHT concentrations, erectile function, and mean weights of the corpus cavernosum and prostate were lowest in group 2. There was no significant difference in the serum T concentration and erectile function between groups 4 and 1. However, the serum and intraprostatic DHT concentrations were significantly lower in group 4 than in group 1 (both P < 0.001). The tissue weights of the corpus cavernosum and prostate were reduced by 25.9% and 92.3% in group 4 compared with group 1 (both P < 0.001). Histopathology revealed a significant atrophy of the prostate in groups 2 and 4. There was a significant decrease in the smooth muscle content in group 2, but not in groups 3 and 4. CONCLUSIONS: In a rat model, finasteride treatment for 4 weeks reduces the weight of the corpus cavernosum but appears not to affect the erectile responses to electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. As erection is a complex process involving important signaling in the brain, further studies are necessary to demonstrate the long-term effects of finasteride on both central and peripheral neural pathways of erection.
Authors: Carol A Podlasek; John Mulhall; Kelvin Davies; Christopher J Wingard; Johanna L Hannan; Trinity J Bivalacqua; Biljana Musicki; Mohit Khera; Nestor F González-Cadavid; Arthur L Burnett Journal: J Sex Med Date: 2016-08 Impact factor: 3.802
Authors: Carla Di Loreto; Francesco La Marra; Giorgio Mazzon; Emanuele Belgrano; Carlo Trombetta; Sabina Cauci Journal: PLoS One Date: 2014-06-24 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Marcello H A Da Silva; Waldemar S Costa; Francisco J B Sampaio; Diogo B De Souza Journal: Asian J Androl Date: 2018 Sep-Oct Impact factor: 3.285