The relationship between androgens, regulators of collagen metabolism, and Peyronie's disease: a case control study.

Introduction: Changes in collagen metabolism have been postulated to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Peyronie's Disease (PD). Androgens such as dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and testosterone influence collagen metabolism by modulating the activity of matrix metalloproteases (MMP) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMP).

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the interrelationship between androgens (DHEA-S and testosterone), key regulators of collagen metabolism such as insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 and IGF Binding Protein 3 (IGF-BP3), the MMP/TIMP system, and PD.