Rat as an animal model for Peyronie's disease research: a review of current methods and the peer-reviewed literature

While the exact mechanism of Peyronie's disease (PD) remains an enigma, the pathophysiology of PD is considered to be multifactorial, with interactions of genetic predisposition, trauma, tissue inflammation and aberrant wound healing. A non-systematic review of the existing English language literature pertaining to the use of rodent models in the evaluation of PD was performed using the Medline database. Multiple free-text searches were performed on key words: animal models of PD, transforming growth factor β1 (TGF β1), tunical and/or corporal fibrosis, subtunical injection and penile myofibroblasts. The most frequently reported models of PD can be classified as TGF β1, fibrin and surgical trauma-induced models. In vitro studies using Peyronie's fibroblast culture media have also provided further insights into cellular mechanism of PD. At the present time, the research in PD is hampered by the lack of universally accepted animal model and this is likely attributed to the limited insight into PD mechanisms and the difficulties faced by current animal models to truly represent the complexity and complete spectrum of human disease.