Long-term Oral Administration of 5α-reductase Inhibitor Attenuates Erectile Function by Inhibiting Autophagy and Promoting Apoptosis of Smooth Muscle Cells in Corpus Cavernosum of Aged Rats

Long-term 5ARI treatment did attenuate the erectile function of aged rats. The mechanisms might have been the decreased rate of autophagy and an increased rate of apoptosis in the cavernous smooth muscle cells, suggesting a new role for androgen in maintaining the structural and functional integrity of the erectile organ. Additional studies are necessary to demonstrate the mechanisms of dihydrotestosterone in regulating the autophagy and apoptosis of the cavernous smooth muscle cells.