REDUCTION OF ENDOTHELIAL AND SMOOTH MUSCLE DENSITY IN THE CORPORA CAVERNOSA OF THE STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RAT

Abstract

Using the streptozotocin treated rat as a model for diabetes, we showed that smooth muscle and endothelial cell density is significantly decreased in diabetic corpora cavernosa but not in normal aged rats. This observation is a further step toward the understanding of the pathomechanisms for diabetic related erectile dysfunction.