Molecular and Histologic Evidence of Novel Erectile Dysfunction Rat Model as an Aging Atherosclerosis Model: A Preliminary Study

• Published in: The World Journal of Men's Health Vol. 38; no. 3; pp. 345 - 352
• Main Authors: Kim, Jae Heon, Shim, Ji Sung, Kim, Jong Wook, Doo, Seung Whan, Bae, Jae Hyun, Lee, Ju Han, Song, Yun Seob, Kim, Je Jong, Moon, Du Geon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology 01.07.2020; 대한남성과학회
• Subjects: Aging; Antibodies; Atherosclerosis; Catheters; Cholesterol; Diseases of the genitourinary system. Urology; Erectile dysfunction; General anesthesia; Ischemia; Medicine; Nitric oxide; Original; Original Article; phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors; Polyethylene; R; RC870-923; vasculogenic impotence; Veins & arteries; 비뇨기과학; United States > US; Erectile dysfunction; Atherosclerosis; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; Vasculogenic impotence
• ISSN: 2287-4208; 2287-4690
• DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.190031

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. 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.