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Implications of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the pathophysiology of Peyronie's disease

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 14, pages 345–352 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Peyronie's disease is an idiopathic, localized connective tissue disorder of the penis which involves the tunica albuginea of the corpus cavernosum and the adjacent areolar space. Peyronie's disease is characterized by local changes in the collagen and elastic fiber composition of the tunica albuginea. The formation of fibrotic plaques alters penile anatomy and can cause different degrees of bending and narrowing, as well as penile pain and erectile dysfunction. Though long recognized as an important clinical entity of the male genitalia, the etiology of this disease has remained poorly understood. Until recently there have been no studies to examine the role nitric oxide (NO) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms may play in the onset and progression of Peyronie's disease. NO is a potent biological mediator with diverse physiological and pathophysiological roles. The purpose of this review is to describe each of the NOS isoforms and their potential roles in the pathophysiology of Peyronie's disease, with particular emphasis on the regulation of endothelial and inducible NOS isoforms.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Melanie Cross for her assistance in the preparation of this manuscript. This work was supported in part by a Young Investigator Award from the International Society of Impotence Research and Pfizer Inc. and the American Foundation for Urological Diseases to Trinity J. Bivalacqua.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    T J Bivalacqua & W J G Hellstrom

  2. Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, USA

    H C Champion

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  1. T J Bivalacqua
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Correspondence to W J G Hellstrom.

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Bivalacqua, T., Champion, H. & Hellstrom, W. Implications of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the pathophysiology of Peyronie's disease. Int J Impot Res 14, 345–352 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900872

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