Stimulation of collagen production in an in vitro model for Peyronie's disease

Aims of this study: This study evaluated whether human cavernosal myofibrob lasts in cell culture is a viable model for the study of the role of oxygen free radicals in the production of collagen types I and III, as observed i n Peyronie's disease. Method: Human cavernosal cells in primary culture were incubated with H-3-p roline in the absence or presence of (i) glyceraldehyde; (ii) alpha-tocophe rol (vitamin E); (iii) a combination of the two; or (iv) gamma interferon a lone or in combination with glyceraldehyde, Collagen production was monitor ed after precipitation by specific monoclonal antibody and quantitated usin g a scintillation counter. Results: Collagen type III was stimulated to higher than baseline values af ter doses of 10 and 100 mu M glyceraldehyde was added and showed suppressio n of stimulation with incorporation of alpha-tocopherol. There was a 40% in crease in collagen type III production as compared to baseline values in gl yceraldehyde-treated cells. Collagen type I showed no consistent stimulatio n or suppression. In glyceraldehyde-stimulated transformed cavernosal cells , alpha-tocopherol treatment caused a 10-60% decrease in collagen type I an d III production. With the addition of 100000 IU/ml gamma interferon, a sig nificant reduction of both collagen types I and III was observed. Conclusions: The generation of oxygen radicals is associated with the stimu lation of collagen production in cavernosal cells. Transformed fibroblasts from cavernosal cells in culture can be utilized to explore possible etiolo gies of Peyronie's disease and to further evaluate potential medical therap ies for this pathological condition.