Lysyl Oxidase in the Pathogenesis of Peyronie's Disease: A Novel Biomarker and Therapeutic Target in the Axis of Thiol‐Disulfide Homeostasis
İbrahim Halil Dikici, Remzi Salar, Halil Ferat Öncel, Seyhan TaşkınABSTRACT
Objective
Patients with Peyronie's disease (PD) generally present to physicians with complaints of a palpable penile mass and deformity. PD is characterized by the formation of fibrous plaques in the tunica albuginea layer of the penis. Oxidative stress is considered to play an effective role in this disease. Thiol‐disulfide parameters are markers that dynamically reflect oxidative stress. The enzyme lysyl oxidase (LOX) provides stability to fibrous plaques. In this study, we aimed to measure thiol‐disulfide and LOX levels in patients with PD and in a healthy population and to compare the relationships of these parameters with each other and with the disease.
Materials and Methods
The samples obtained within the scope of our study were collected from patients who presented to the Urology Clinic of SBU Mehmet Akif Inan Training and Research Hospital and from healthy individuals who presented to the Platelet Apheresis Unit. A total of 28 patients with PD and 28 healthy individuals were included in the study. From the patients, 5 mL of venous blood samples were collected in the morning after at least 8 h of fasting. Thiol‐disulfide parameters were analyzed using a spectrophotometric method. The LOX enzyme was examined using the enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay method.
Results
A total of 56 individuals participated in our study, including 28 patients with PD and 28 controls. LOX levels were significantly higher in the PD group ( p = 0.038). Native thiol ( p = 0.030) and total thiol ( p = 0.040) levels were significantly lower. However, no significant difference was found in terms of thiol‐disulfide levels ( p = 0.306).
Conclusion
To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first in the literature to evaluate serum LOX levels in PD and their relationship with dynamic thiol‐disulfide homeostasis. Our results suggest that antioxidant thiol levels and increased LOX levels may be used in the diagnosis and classification of the disease and may play a role in its etiopathogenesis. In addition, the use of LOX inhibitors and antioxidants may potentially be considered in the treatment of the disease.