OBJECTIVE - To evaluate the effects of Shengjing capsule on erectile function in a castrated rat model, further to investigate the underlying molecular mechanism.
METHODS - Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups (n=5 per group), including sham group, castration group, testosterone replacement group, high-dose Shengjing capsule group, medium-dose Shengjing capsule group, and low-dose Shengjing capsule group.
The weight of the body and androgen sensitive organs, and the serum level of testosterone were assessed. Erectile function was evaluated using cavernous nerve electrical stimulation after treatment. Corpus cavernosum tissue was examined by Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blot.
RESULTS - Serum testosterone level, mean weights of body and accessory sexual organs were not significantly different between Shengjing capsule treatment and the castration groups (P>0.05 for all). Significant recovery of erectile function and the increased smooth muscle components were observed in the Shengjing capsule treatment group as compared with the castration group (P
CONCLUSIONS - These results show that Shengjing capsule improves the erectile function by protecting the smooth muscle content and enhancing NOS activity in penile tissues of castrated male rats.
Urology. 2016 Feb 23 [Epub ahead of print]
Shankun Zhao, Luhao Liu, Ran Kang, Futian Li, Ermao Li, Tao Zhang, Jintai Luo, Zhigang Zhao
Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China., Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China., Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China., Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China., Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China., Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China., Department of Urology & Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of GuangZhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.