To validate a novel arteriogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) model with atherosclerosis (AS) based on molecular and histologic evidence induced by chronic pelvic ischemia (CPI) and determine effect of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor treatment.
Twenty 16-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three experimental groups (Group I, untreated sham-operated rats with regular diet; Group II, CPI with cholesterol diet; Group III, CPI model with cholesterol diet and mirodenafil). Erectile function was accessed using maximum intracavernous pressure (ICP) and ICP/mean arterial pressure (MAP). Molecular changes were examined by western blot analysis using hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), and transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) antibodies. Collagen change was evaluated by Masson's trichrome staining.
In vivo measurements of ICP and ICP/MAP in Group II were significantly lower than those in Group I (p<0.01). Smooth muscle/collagen ratio in Group II was significantly lower than that in Group I (p<0.05). After treatment with mirodenafil for four weeks, Group III showed significantly higher levels of ICP and ICP/MAP than Group II (p<0.05). Western blot analysis showed that HIF-1α and TGF-β1 levels were significantly higher in Group II whereas eNOS levels were significantly lower in Group II than those in Group I or III.
A novel arteriogenic ED with AS model is successfully induced by CPI and validated based on molecular and histologic evidences.
The world journal of men's health. 2019 Jun 14 [Epub ahead of print]
Jae Heon Kim, Ji Sung Shim, Jong Wook Kim, Seung Whan Doo, Jae Hyun Bae, Ju Han Lee, Yun Seob Song, Je Jong Kim, Du Geon Moon
Department of Urology, Soonchunhyang University Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea., Department of Urology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea., Department of Pathology, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Ansan, Korea., Department of Urology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. .