Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major etiological
factor underlying ED. Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
(VEGF) is a growth protein that maintains normal structure
and function of vascular tissues in CC through its action on
cell receptors; VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2.
Aim: To compare the expression level of VEGFR-1 and
-2 between diabetic and non-diabetic male patients with ED
using immunohistochemical assessment.
Methods: Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections
from 40 CC specimens were collected from 16 diabetic
and 24 non-diabetic patients having ED during penile implant
insertion. Sections were stained with antibodies against
VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 using immunohistochemical technique.
Level of receptor expression was assessed using light
microscope.
Results: VEGR-1 was detected on both Endothelial Cells
(ECs) and Smooth Muscles (SM) while VEGFR-2 was restricted
to ECs. Weak expression of VEGFR-1 on ECs and
on SM was detected in 63% and in 37% of diabetic patients
respectively, however its expression was not significantly
different from non diabetics. VEGFR-2 expression was significantly
reduced in CC from diabetic patients (12/16) (75%)
comparing with non diabetics (8/24) (33%), p=0.010.
Conclusion: This is a preliminary data reporting association
between DM and reduction of expression of VEGFR-2
in CC penile tissues. Because VEGFR-2 is a major mediator
for VEGF function, then such finding raises the following
questions; will patients with weak expression of VEGFR-2
get benefit from treatment with intracorporal injection with
VEGF? and can VEGF restore VEGFR-2 expression?
Key