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Wang M, Dai B, Liu Q, Wang X, Xiao Y, Zhang G, Jiang H, Zhang X, Zhang L. Polystyrene nanoplastics exposure causes erectile dysfunction in rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 280:116551. [PMID: 38875818 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs), emerging and increasingly pervasive environmental contaminants, have the potential to cause persistent harm to organisms. Although previous reports have documented local accumulation and adverse effects in a variety of major organs after PS-NPs exposure, the impact of PS-NPs exposure on erectile function remains unexplored. Herein, we established a rat model of oral exposure to 100 nm PS-NPs for 28 days. To determine the best dose range of PS-NPs, we designed both low-dose and high-dose PS-NPs groups, which correspond to the minimum and maximum human intake doses, respectively. The findings indicated that PS-NPs could accumulate within the corpus cavernosum and high dose but not low dose of PS-NPs triggered erectile dysfunction. Moreover, the toxicological effects of PS-NPs on erectile function include fibrosis in the corpus cavernous, endothelial dysfunction, reduction in testosterone levels, elevated oxidative stress and apoptosis. Overall, this study revealed that PS-NPs exposure can cause erectile dysfunction via multiple ways, which provided new insights into the toxicity of PS-NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Wang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Bangshun Dai
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Qiushi Liu
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China
| | - Xiaobin Wang
- Department of Urology, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen 518052, China
| | - Yunzheng Xiao
- Department of Urology, Southern University of Science and Technology Hospital, Shenzhen 518052, China
| | - Guilong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shandong Technology Innovation Center of Molecular Targeting and Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai 264003, China.
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital Institute of Urology, Peking University Andrology Center, Beijing 100034, China.
| | - Xiansheng Zhang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Urology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China; Center for Scientific Research of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230022, China.
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Mitsui Y, Yamabe F, Hori S, Uetani M, Kobayashi H, Nagao K, Nakajima K. Molecular Mechanisms and Risk Factors Related to the Pathogenesis of Peyronie's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10133. [PMID: 37373277 PMCID: PMC10299070 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241210133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Peyronie's disease (PD) is a benign condition caused by plaque formation on the tunica albuginea of the penis. It is associated with penile pain, curvature, and shortening, and contributes to erectile dysfunction, which worsens patient quality of life. In recent years, research into understanding of the detailed mechanisms and risk factors involved in the development of PD has been increasing. In this review, the pathological mechanisms and several closely related signaling pathways, including TGF-β, WNT/β-catenin, Hedgehog, YAP/TAZ, MAPK, ROCK, and PI3K/AKT, are described. Findings regarding cross-talk among these pathways are then discussed to elucidate the complicated cascade behind tunica albuginea fibrosis. Finally, various risk factors including the genes involved in the development of PD are presented and their association with the disease summarized. The purpose of this review is to provide a better understanding regarding the involvement of risk factors in the molecular mechanisms associated with PD pathogenesis, as well as to provide insight into disease prevention and novel therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yozo Mitsui
- Department of Urology, Toho University Faculty of Medicine, Tokyo 143-8540, Japan; (F.Y.); (S.H.); (M.U.); (H.K.); (K.N.); (K.N.)
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Al-Kuraishy HM, Al-Gareeb AI, Alarfaj SJ, Al-Akeel RK, Faidah H, El-Bouseary MM, Sabatier JM, De Waard M, El-Masry TA, Batiha GES. Long COVID and risk of erectile dysfunction in recovered patients from mild to moderate COVID-19. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5977. [PMID: 37045862 PMCID: PMC10092929 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32211-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) were shown to have reduced serum testosterone levels compared to healthy individuals. Low testosterone levels are linked with the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). In this case-controlled study, 20 healthy controls and 39 patients with ED 3 months after recovering from mild-to-moderate COVID-19 pneumonia were studied. The patients ranged in age from 31 to 47 years. To identify early and late COVID-19 infections, real-time polymerase-chain reaction (RT-PCR) and COVID-19 antibody testing were done. The levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicular stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), free androgenic index (FAI), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. The sexual health inventory for patients (SHIM) score was used to measure the erectile function of the patients and controls. When compared to the controls, the TT serum level in long COVID-19 (LC) patients with ED was low (p = 0.01). In contrast to controls, FT and FAI were both lower in LC patients with ED. (p = 0.001). FSH serum levels did not significantly differ (p = 0.07), but in ED patients, LH serum levels were elevated. SHIM scores were associated with low TT (p = 0.30), FT (p = 0.09), and high LH (p = 0.76) in LC patients with ED. Male patients with decreased serum levels of LH and testosterone may have hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis dysfunction, which could lead to the development of LC-induced ED. Therefore, an in-depth research is necessary to confirm the causal link between COVID-19 and ED in LC patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayder M Al-Kuraishy
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ali I Al-Gareeb
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Medicine, College of Medicine, Al-Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Sumaiah J Alarfaj
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahman University, P.O.Box 84428, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Rasha Khalifah Al-Akeel
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Entomology and Parasitology, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hani Faidah
- Microbiolgy Department Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al Qura University, Mecca, Saudi Arabia
| | - Maisra M El-Bouseary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Jean-Marc Sabatier
- CNRS UMR 7051, Faculté des Sciences Médicales et Paramédicales, Institut de Neurophysiopathologie (INP), Aix-Marseille Université, 27 Bd Jean Moulin, 13005, Marseille, France
| | - Michel De Waard
- Smartox Biotechnology, 6 Rue Des Platanes, 38120, Saint-Egrève, France
- L'institut du Thorax, INSERM, CNRS, UNIV NANTES, 44007, Nantes, France
- LabEx «Ion Channels, Science & Therapeutics», Université de Nice Sophia-Antipolis, 06560, Valbonne, France
| | - Thanaa A El-Masry
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt
| | - Gaber El-Saber Batiha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Damanhour University, Damanhour, 22511, AlBeheira, Egypt
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Kataoka T, Hotta Y, Kimura K. A review of experimental techniques for erectile function researches and development of medical technology using animal erectile dysfunction models in sexual and reproductive medicine. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12513. [PMID: 37020643 PMCID: PMC10069627 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is one of the causes of male infertility and is a disease that requires treatment. The first‐line drugs for ED are phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE‐5) inhibitors, and further treatment options are currently limited. Medical technologies, such as genetic control and regenerative medicine, are developing rapidly. Research on erectile function is progressing rapidly, coupled with technological innovations in other areas. Methods A PubMed search using the keywords “animal (rat, mouse, rabbit, dog, and monkey)” and “erectile” was conducted, and all relevant peer‐reviewed English results were evaluated. Main findings The methods for evaluating erectile function include intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurements, isometric tension studies, and dynamic infusion cavernosometry. Papers also reported various disease model animals for the study of diabetes mellitus, cavernous nerve injury, and drug‐induced ED. Conclusion Basic research on ED treatment has progressed rapidly over the past 20 years. In particular, research on the mechanism of ED has been accelerated by the publication of a study on the evaluation of erectile function using ICP measurements in rats. In addition, molecular biological experimental methods such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blotting have become relatively easy to perform due to technological progress, thus advancing research development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoya Kataoka
- Department of Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesChiba Institute of Science15‐8 Shiomi‐choChoshiChiba288‐0025Japan
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesNagoya City University3‐1 Tanabe‐dori, Mizuho‐kuNagoya467‐8603Japan
| | - Yuji Hotta
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesNagoya City University3‐1 Tanabe‐dori, Mizuho‐kuNagoya467‐8603Japan
| | - Kazunori Kimura
- Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical SciencesNagoya City University3‐1 Tanabe‐dori, Mizuho‐kuNagoya467‐8603Japan
- Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, Graduate School of Medical SciencesNagoya City University1‐Kawasumi, Mizuho‐cho, Mizuho‐kuNagoya467‐8601Japan
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Upregulated IGFBP3 with Aging Is Involved in Modulating Apoptosis, Oxidative Stress, and Fibrosis: A Target of Age-Related Erectile Dysfunction. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:6831779. [PMID: 35154570 PMCID: PMC8831074 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6831779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Aging has been deemed the primary factor in erectile dysfunction (ED). Herein, age-related changes in the erectile response and histomorphology were detected, and the relationship between aging and ED was investigated based on gene expression levels. Thirty male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 6 groups, and intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were measured. Subsequently, the corpus cavernosum (CC) was harvested and prepared for histological examinations of apoptosis, oxidative stress (OS), and fibrosis. Then, the microarray dataset (GSE10804) was analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ED progression, and hub genes were selected. In addition, aged CC smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) were isolated to evaluate the function of the hub gene by siRNA interference, qRT–PCR, immunofluorescence staining, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot analysis, CCK-8 assay, EdU staining, and flow cytometry approaches. The ICP/MAP and smooth muscle cell (SMC)/collagen ratios declined with aging, while apoptosis and OS levels increased with aging. The enriched functions and pathways of the DEGs were investigated, and 15 hub genes were identified, among which IGFBP3 was significantly upregulated. The IGFBP3 upregulation was verified in the CC of aging rats. Furthermore, aged CCSMCs were transfected with siRNA to knock down IGFBP3 expression. The viability and proliferation of the CCSMCs increased, while apoptosis, OS, and fibrosis decreased. Our findings demonstrate that the erectile response of SD rats declines in parallel with enhanced CC apoptosis, OS, and fibrosis with aging. Upregulation of IGFBP3 plays an important role; furthermore, downregulation of IGFBP3 improves the viability and proliferation of CCSMCs and alleviates apoptosis, OS, and fibrosis. Thus, IGFBP3 is a potential therapeutic target for age-related ED.
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