Histomorphometrical Evaluation of the Corpus Cavernosum of Hypertensive Rats Treated with 5-Alpha-Reductase Inhibitors

The study investigated the effects of 5-α-reductase inhibitors (dutasteride and finasteride) on penile morphology in normotensive and hypertensive rats. Sixty male rats were divided into six groups and treated for 40 days. Results showed significant reductions in cross-sectional penile area and smooth muscle surface density in treated normotensive and hypertensive rats. Hypertensive rats exhibited increased connective tissue and reduced sinusoidal space. Both drugs increased the surface density of elastic system fibers, with dutasteride having the most pronounced impact on the corpus cavernosum, especially in hypertensive rats. The study concluded that hypertension and 5-α-reductase inhibitors significantly altered penile structure, with more prominent changes in hypertensive animals.