The effects of colchicine on a Peyronie's-like condition in an animal model

Purpose: We have developed an animal model of Peyronie's disease by injecting transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) into the rat penis. Our objective is to study the effects of colchicine on the Peyronie's condition in an animal model. Materials and Methods: Thirty six adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received TGF-beta injections into the tunica albuginea and were divided into two groups (n = 18 each). Rats in the first group were divided into three subgroups (n = 6 each). Each rat in the three subgroups received the following: Subgroup 1 received colchicine, subgroup 2 received ibuprofen, and subgroup 3 received regular water. The rats were euthanized after 6 weeks, Rats in the second group were also divided into three subgroups. These rats received the same treatments as the rats in the first group, but treatments began 6 weeks after TGF-beta injection. These rats were cuthanized after 12 weeks. Tunical tissue samples were collected and examined using Hart and trichrome stains, electron microscopy (EM), and western blot analysis for TGF-beta detection. Results: In the first group, the colchicine-treated rats exhibited less collagen deposition and less elastic fiber fragmentation than the untreated or ibuprofen-treated rats. EM confirmed the results and showed normal distribution and shape of both collagen and elastic fibers in the colchicine-treated group. In the second group, the colchicine-treated rats exhibited less crowding of the collagen fibers. However, the elastic fibers remained fragmented and scarce. Western blot analysis showed significant down-regulation of TGF-beta expression (5/6) in the colchicine-treated group after 6 weeks. Down-regulation was observed in only 1/6 in both ibuprofen and nontreated groups. After 12 weeks 2/6, 1/6, and 1/6 rats displayed down regulation in the colchicine treated, ibuprofen treated, and non-treated groups, respectively. Conclusion: Early colchicine treatment may suppress a Peyronie's like condition in the rat animal model.