Immunofluorescent study of the expression of Ang1, Ang2 and Tie2 in the corpus cavernosum of the Rat during aging

Aging is a recognized risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED) contributing to vascular damage of penile tissue. Vascular system seems to be particularly prone to develop dysfunction along chronological aging, as supported by studies that associate aging with reduced endothelium-dependent dilation, atherosclerosis progression and angiogenic deficit in specific tissues. Cavernous tissue is particularly sensitive to atherosclerotic disease and to structural changes of the small vessels of the penis which conduces to functional impairment.