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Liu S, Li J, Wang W, Zhang Y, Li S, Li T, Jiang J, Zhao F. Prenatal exposure to dibutyl phthalate contributes to erectile dysfunction in offspring male rats by activating the RhoA/ROCK signalling pathway. Toxicology 2024; 508:153925. [PMID: 39151608 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2024.153925] [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: 06/11/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/12/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
Prenatal exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) has been reported to cause erectile dysfunction (ED) in adult offspring rats. However, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Previously, we found that DBP activates the RhoA/ROCK pathway in the male reproductive system. This study investigated how prenatal exposure to DBP activates the RhoA/ROCK signalling pathway, leading to ED in male rat offspring. Pregnant rats were stratified into DBP-exposed and NC groups, with the exposed group receiving 750 milligrams per kilogram per day (mg/kg/day) of DBP through gavage from days 14-18 of gestation. DBP exposure activated the RhoA/ROCK pathway in the penile corpus cavernosum (CC) of descendants, causing smooth muscle cell contraction, fibrosis, and apoptosis, all of which contribute to ED. In vitro experiments confirmed that DBP induces apoptosis and RhoA/ROCK pathway activation in CC smooth muscle cells. Treatment of DBP-exposed offspring with the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 for 8 weeks significantly improved smooth muscle cell condition, erectile function, and reduced fibrosis. Thus, prenatal DBP exposure induces ED in offspring through RhoA/ROCK pathway activation, and the ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 shows potential as an effective treatment for DBP-induced ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyu Liu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Jianying Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Wenhao Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Yijun Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Shufeng Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Tiewen Li
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China
| | - Juntao Jiang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.
| | - Fujun Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China; Department of Andrology, Center for Men's Health, Urologic Medical Center, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200080, China.
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Li J, Jiang Q, Jiang J, Jiang R. Mode of cell death in the penile cavernous tissue of type 1 diabetes mellitus rats. J Sex Med 2024; 21:652-662. [PMID: 38972660 DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdae067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 06/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus commonly causes endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell death in penile cavernous tissue. AIM The study sought to study the mode of cell death in the penile cavernous tissue in type 1 diabetic rats. METHODS A total of 36 Sprague Dawley rats 10 weeks of age were randomly divided into 2 groups: a normoglycemic group and type 1 diabetic group (intraperitoneal injection of Streptozotocin (STZ), 60 mg/kg). We randomly selected 6 rats from each group for tests at the end of 11, 14, and 18 weeks of age, respectively. All rats were able to eat and drink freely. The ratio of maximum intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure, concentration of serum testosterone, level of nitric oxide in the penile cavernosum, and expression of active caspase-1 (pyroptosis) and active caspase-3 (apoptosis) were determined. OUTCOMES At the end of weeks 4 and 8 of type 1 diabetes, the proportions of endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells undergoing apoptosis and pyroptosis in penile cavernous tissue are different. RESULTS The ratio of maximum intracavernous pressure to mean arterial pressure and nitric oxide levels were significantly lower in the 4- and 8-week diabetic groups than in the normoglycemic group (P < .01). Penile endothelial cell pyroptosis (5.67 ± 0.81%), smooth muscle cell apoptosis (23.72 ± 0.48%), total cell pyroptosis (9.67 ± 0.73%), and total apoptosis (10.52 ± 1.45%) were significantly greater in the 4-week diabetic group than in the normoglycemic group (P < .01). The proportion of endothelial cell pyroptosis (24.4 ± 3.69%), endothelial cell apoptosis (22.13 ± 2.43%), total cell pyroptosis (14.75 ± 0.93%), and total apoptosis (14.82 ± 1.08%) in the penile tissues of the 8-week diabetic group were significantly greater than those in the normoglycemic group (P < .01).The 8-week survival proportions of diabetic endothelial cells (38.86 ± 8.85%) and smooth muscle cells (44.46 ± 2.94%) was significantly lower than the 4-week survival proportions of endothelial cells (93.17 ± 8.07%) and smooth muscle cells (75.12 ± 4.76%) (P < .05). CLINICAL TRANSLATION Inhibition of cell death by different methods at different stages may be the key to the treatment of type 1 diabetes-induced erectile dysfunction. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS The effect of type 1 diabetes on other types of cell death in penile cavernous tissue needs further study. CONCLUSION The mode of death of endothelial cells in the cavernous tissue of the penis in the early stage in diabetic rats is dominated by pyroptosis, and the death of smooth muscle cells is dominated by apoptosis. Endothelial cell and smooth muscle cell death are not consistent at different stages of diabetes progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Li
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Qilan Jiang
- Department of Clinical Nutrition, Affiliated Hospital, Southwest medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Department of Thyroid Surgery, Affiliated Hospital, Southwest medical University, Taiping Road, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
| | - Rui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China
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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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Li Z, Jia B, Guo Z, Zhang K, Zhao D, Li Z, Fu Q. Therapeutic potential of salidroside in type I diabetic erectile dysfunction: Attenuation of oxidative stress and apoptosis via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306926. [PMID: 38990890 PMCID: PMC11238988 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The primary objective of this work was to delve into the potential therapeutic advantages and dissect the molecular mechanisms of salidroside in enhancing erectile function in rats afflicted with diabetic microvascular erectile dysfunction (DMED), addressing both the whole-animal and cellular dimensions.We established a DMED model in Sprague‒Dawley (SD) rats and conducted in vivo experiments. The DMED rats were administered varying doses of salidroside, the effects of which on DMED were compared. Erectile function was evaluated by applying electrical stimulation to the cavernous nerves and measuring intracavernous pressure in real time. The penile tissue underwent histological examination and Western blotting. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was employed in the in vitro trial to induce an oxidative stress for the purpose of identifying alterations in cell viability. The CCK-8 assay was used to measure the viability of corpus cavernous smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) treated with vs. without salidroside. Flow cytometry was utilized to detect alterations in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Apoptosis was assessed through Western blotting and TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL). Animal and cellular experiments indicate that the Nrf2/HO-1 signalling pathway may be upregulated by salidroside, leading to the improvement of erectile function in diabetic male rats by alleviating oxidative stress and reducing apoptosis in corpus cavernosum tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenghao Li
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Bin Jia
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zhongkai Guo
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Keqin Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Danfeng Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Ziheng Li
- Second Department of Surgery, Shandong Rongjun General Hospital, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Qiang Fu
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Key Laboratory of Urinary Diseases in Universities of Shandong (Shandong First Medical University), Jinan, Shandong, China
- Engineering Laboratory of Urinary Organ and Functional Reconstruction of Shandong Province, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Zhou J, Song Y, Wang X, Li X, Liu C, Tian C, Wang C, Li L, Yan G, Cui H. JTE-013 Alleviates Pulmonary Fibrosis by Affecting the RhoA/YAP Pathway and Mitochondrial Fusion/Fission. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2023; 16:1444. [PMID: 37895915 PMCID: PMC10609863 DOI: 10.3390/ph16101444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Pulmonary fibrosis may be due to the proliferation of fibroblasts and the aggregation of extracellular matrix, resulting in the stimulation of inflammation damage, destroying lung tissue structure, seriously affecting the patient's respiratory function, and even leading to death. We investigated the role and mechanism of JTE-013 in attenuating bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis was established in mice. Type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (MLE-12) were stimulated with sphingosine monophosphate (S1P) in vitro. JTE-013, an S1PR2 (sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor 2) antagonist, and Verteporfin were administered in vivo and in vitro. IL-4, IL-5, TNF-α, and IFN-γ were measured by ELISA. IL-4 and IFN-γ positive cells were detected by flow cytometry. Inhibition of S1PR2 with JTE-013 significantly ameliorated BLM-induced pathological changes and inflammatory cytokine levels. JTE-013 also significantly reduced the expression of RHOA/YAP pathway proteins and mitochondrial fission protein Drp1, apoptosis, and the colocalization of α-SMA with YAP, Drp1, and Tom20, as detected by immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence staining, TUNEL, and Western blot. In vitro, S1PR2 and YAP knockdown downregulated RHOA/YAP pathway protein expression, Drp1 phosphorylation, and Drp1 translocation, promoted YAP phosphorylation and phenotypic transformation of MFN2, and inhibited the up-regulation of mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species production, and cell apoptosis (7.13% vs. 18.14%), protecting the integrity of the mitochondrial dynamics. JTE-013 also inhibited the expression of fibrosis markers α-SMA, MMP-9, and COL1A1, and alleviated the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis. Conclusively, JTE-013 has great anti-pulmonary fibrosis potential by regulating RHOA/YAP and mitochondrial fusion/fission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxu Zhou
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Center of Medical Functional Experiment, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China;
| | - Yilan Song
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Xingmei Wang
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Center of Medical Functional Experiment, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China;
| | - Xinrui Li
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Center of Medical Functional Experiment, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China;
| | - Chang Liu
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Center of Medical Functional Experiment, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China;
| | - Chenchen Tian
- Center of Medical Functional Experiment, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China;
| | - Chongyang Wang
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Liangchang Li
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Guanghai Yan
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China
| | - Hong Cui
- Jilin Key Laboratory for Immune and Targeting Research on Common Allergic Diseases, Yanbian University, Yanji 133002, China; (J.Z.); (Y.S.); (X.W.); (X.L.); (C.L.); (C.W.); (L.L.)
- Center of Medical Functional Experiment, Yanbian University Medical College, Yanji 133002, China;
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Yuan P, Li X, Xiong WJ, Jiang J, Jiang R. Downregulation of the expression of galanin impairs erectile function in hypoandrogenic rats. Sex Med 2023; 11:qfad029. [PMID: 37351545 PMCID: PMC10281959 DOI: 10.1093/sexmed/qfad029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The relationship between galanin and erectile function under low androgen levels is still unclear. Aim To explore whether a low testosterone level damages the erection of a rat by regulating the expression of galanin and GalR in penile cavernous tissue. Methods Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats, 8 weeks of age, were randomly grouped as follows (n = 6): control, castration, castration + testosterone replacement, control + transfection, castration + transfection, and castration + empty transfection. At 4 weeks after castration, rats in the transfection group were injected with lentivirus carrying the targeting galanin gene (2 × 108 TU/mL, 10 μL) in the corpus cavernosum. After 1 week of injection, the intracavernosal pressure (ICP), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), nitric oxide (NO), serum testosterone concentration, galanin, GalR1-3, ROCK1, ROCK2, and p-eNOS/eNOS in the rat penile tissues were evaluated. Outcomes ICPmax/MAP and the expression of galanin in the corpus cavernosum in castrated rats were obviously decreased as compared with those in the control rats. Results The castrated rats showed remarkably lower ICPmax/MAP, galanin, GalR1-3, p-eNOS/eNOS, and NO content and markedly higher ROCK1 and ROCK2 in penile tissues than the control group (P < .05). The transfected rats administrated with LV Gal had obviously higher ICPmax/MAP, p-eNOS/eNOS, and NO content and less ROCK1 and ROCK2 protein expression in the corpus cavernosum when compared with the castration group (P < .05). Clinical Translation Upregulating the expression of galanin in the penile corpus cavernosum might be a novel method of treating erectile dysfunction caused by a low androgen level. Strengths and Limitations The conclusions obtained in the animal experiments need to be confirmed in human data. Conclusion The erectile function of hypoandrogen rats might be inhibited by downregulating the level of galanin and GalR1-3, upregulating ROCK1 and ROCK2 levels, and inhibiting the eNOS/NO signaling pathway in penile corpus cavernosum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Wen-ju Xiong
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, 646000, China
| | - Jun Jiang
- Corresponding authors: Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Taiping Road, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China. . Department of Urology, Nephropathy Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Taiping Road, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
| | - Rui Jiang
- Corresponding authors: Department of Thyroid Surgery, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Taiping Road, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China. . Department of Urology, Nephropathy Clinical Medical Research Center of Sichuan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Taiping Road, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
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Liu K, Sun T, Xu W, Song J, Chen Y, Ruan Y, Li H, Cui K, Zhang Y, Feng Y, Pan J, Liang E, Xin Z, Wang T, Wang S, Liu J, Luan Y. Relaxin-2 Prevents Erectile Dysfunction by Cavernous Nerve, Endothelial and Histopathological Protection Effects in Rats with Bilateral Cavernous Nerve Injury. World J Mens Health 2023; 41:434-445. [PMID: 36047071 PMCID: PMC10042645 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.220003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Cavernous nerve injury induced erectile dysfunction (ED) is a refractory complication with high incidence in person under radical prostatectomy. Studies have shown that relaxin-2 (RLX-2) plays a vital role of endothelial protection, vasodilation, anti-fibrosis and neuroprotection in a variety of diseases. However, whether penile cavernous erection can benefit from RLX-2 remains unknown. The purpose of the experiment was to explore the effects of RLX-2 on ED in the rat suffering with bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI). MATERIALS AND METHODS The rats were divided into three groups: Sham group was underwent sham operation, BCNI+RLX group or BCNI group was underwent bilateral cavernous nerve crush and then randomly treated with RLX-2 (0.4 mg/kg/d) or saline by continuous administration using a subcutaneously implanted micro pump for 4 weeks respectively. Then, erectile function was evaluated by electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves. Cavernous nerves and penile tissues and were collected for histological evaluation. RESULTS Erectile function of rats with BCNI was partially improved after RLX-2 treatment. The BCNI group had lower expression of relaxin family peptide receptor (RXFP) 1, p-AKT/AKT, p-eNOS/eNOS ratios than sham operation rats, but RLX-2 could partially reversed these changes. Histologically, the BCNI+RLX group had a significant effect on preservation of neurofilament, neuronal glial antigen 2 of penile tissue and nNOS of cavernous nerves when compared with BCNI group. RLX-2 could inhibited the lever of BCNI induced corporal fibrosis and apoptosis via regulating TGFβ1-Smad2/3-CTGF pathway and the expression of Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, caspase3. CONCLUSIONS RLX-2 could improve erectile function of BCNI rats by protecting cavernous nerve and endothelial function and suppressing corporal fibrosis and apoptosis via RXFP1 and AKT/eNOS pathway. Our findings may provide a promising treatment for refractory BCNI induced ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenchao Xu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jingyu Song
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yinwei Chen
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yajun Ruan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kai Cui
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yuhong Feng
- Male Reproductive and Sexual Medicine, Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jiancheng Pan
- Male Reproductive and Sexual Medicine, Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Enli Liang
- Male Reproductive and Sexual Medicine, Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zhongcheng Xin
- Male Reproductive and Sexual Medicine, Department of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shaogang Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Luan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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Overexpression of PRDX2 in Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhances the Therapeutic Effect in a Neurogenic Erectile Dysfunction Rat Model by Inhibiting Ferroptosis. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2023; 2023:4952857. [PMID: 36819780 PMCID: PMC9931470 DOI: 10.1155/2023/4952857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Neurogenic erectile dysfunction (NED) is a common and serious complication after pelvic surgery. The clinical translation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell (ADSC) therapies in NED remains a major challenge due to their low survival rate and limited therapeutic effect. Peroxiredoxin 2 (PRDX2) is a member of the peroxidase family that exerts its therapeutic effects by inhibiting oxidative stress (OS) and ferroptosis, and PRDX2 is expected to enhance the therapeutic effect of ADSCs in treating NED. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether PRDX2 could improve the survival of ADSCs and determine whether overexpression of PRDX2 in ADSCs (PRDX2-ADSCs) could enhance the therapeutic effect of NED. This study investigated the potential role of PRDX2-ADSCs through a NED model induced by bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) and three in vitro models established by H2O2-stimulated ADSCs, H2O2-stimulated corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs), and RSL3-stimulated CCSMCs. We found that PRDX2 could significantly improve the viability of ADSCs by suppressing apoptosis and OS in H2O2-stimulated ADSCs. We also found that BCNI triggered ferroptosis of the corpus cavernosum, which was manifested by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS), total iron content, and MDA as well as decreased SOD and GSH. Our results further demonstrated changes in the expression of key proteins (GPX4 and ACSL4) in the ferroptosis pathway, whereas PRDX2-ADSCs ameliorated BCNI-induced erectile dysfunction and ferroptosis of the corpus cavernosum in NED rats. Consistently, PRDX2-ADSCs attenuated OS in H2O2-stimulated CCSMCs and inhibited ferroptosis in RSL3-stimulated CCSMCs, as evidenced by the decrease in ROS, total iron content, and MDA and the increase in SOD and GSH together with changes in ferroptosis-related protein (GPX4 and ACSL4) expression. In conclusion, overexpression of PRDX2 in ADSCs enhanced the therapeutic effect in a rat model of neurogenic erectile dysfunction by inhibiting ferroptosis via regulation of the GPX4/ACSL4 axis.
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9
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Sun T, Xu W, Wang J, Song J, Wang T, Wang S, Liu K, Liu J. Paeonol ameliorates diabetic erectile dysfunction by inhibiting HMGB1/RAGE/NF-kB pathway. Andrology 2023; 11:344-357. [PMID: 35678254 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The management of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) is progressively becoming tricky due to the surge in the number of patients and the poor efficiency of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors in DMED. Paeonol (Pae), as a traditional Chinese medicine, has been more and more widely used in the treatment of diabetic complications. However, whether Pae could be a potential therapeutic drug of DMED needs to be further evaluated. OBJECTIVES To investigate the pharmacological effect and possible mechanism of Pae in the treatment of DMED. METHODS Intraperitoneal streptozotocin injection and an apomorphine test were used to construct the model of DMED. Seventeen DMED rats were divided into two groups: DMED group (n = 8) and DMED+Pae group (Pae; 100 mg/kg/d; oral administration; n = 9). In addition, there were still 10 normal age-matched male rats as control group. Four weeks later, the cavernous nerve electric stimulation was carried out to measure the erectile response. Moreover, the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) were primarily isolated and exposed to high glucose (HG) stimulation, Pae treatment and glycyrrhizin (GL; the selective inhibitor of HMGB1). After an incubation for 1 week, the CCSMCs were harvested for detection. RESULTS The impairment of erectile function was observed in DMED rats compared with control samples, accompanied by the upregulation of HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB Pathway. The lower nitric oxide and cGMP level and the higher level of inflammation, fibrosis, and apoptosis were also observed in DMED rats. It showed contrast that Pae treatment could improve the erectile function, as well as histologic alteration and related molecular changes. In addition, Pae could downregulate the HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB pathway to regulate the apoptosis and inflammation levels of CCSMCs in high-glucose conditions, which is similar to the results of GL treatment. CONCLUSION Pae alleviated ED in DMED rats, likely by inhibiting HMGB1/RAGE/NF-κB Pathway, inflammatory, apoptosis, and fibrotic activity, and moderating endothelial dysfunction. Our study provide evidence for a potential new therapy for DMED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenchao Xu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingyu Song
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaogang Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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10
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Xu W, Sun T, Wang J, Wang T, Wang S, Liu J, Liu K, Li H. Ferroptosis is involved in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells impairment in diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction. Andrology 2023; 11:332-343. [PMID: 36098277 PMCID: PMC10087266 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUNDS Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common andrological disorder that tends to afflict diabetic patients, among others. Pharmacological therapy of diabetes mellitus-induced ED (DMED) is ineffective, as it is linked with smooth muscle cell loss in the corpus cavernosum. Ferroptosis is a recently identified kind of cell death evoked by lipid peroxidation, and it is connected with a number of diabetic complications. OBJECTIVES To investigate the role of ferroptosis in DMED. MATERIALS AND METHODS We established the rat model of DMED and conducted a combined analysis of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Next, DMED disease targets were determined by cross-referencing DEGs and DMED-related genes in the DisGeNET, GenCLiP3, and GeneCards databases. Additionally, these targets were analyzed using "clusterProfiler" in R utilizing Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) annotations. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of rat penile tissues was used to validate several targets. Notably, the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, Western blotting, oxidative stress (OS) level, and iron concentration were tested in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) stimulated with high glucose (HG), and treated with Ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1). RESULTS Sixty-nine disease targets of DMED were identified. According to KEGG analysis, these targets were primarily enriched in the ferroptosis pathway. Additionally, IHC results revealed that the expression of GPX4, SLC7A11, and ACSL4 was deregulated in the DMED group compared to the control group. Significantly, HG decreased cell viability and increased OS and iron levels in CCSMCs, which could be reversed by Fer-1 treatment. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Our study revealed that ferroptosis may indeed exist in DMED. GPX4, SLC7A11, and ACSL4 all have a role in controlling the viability of CCSMCs, making them potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Xu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaogang Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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11
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Song J, Wang J, Liu K, Xu W, Sun T, Liu J. The role of microRNAs in erectile dysfunction: From pathogenesis to therapeutic potential. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1034043. [PMID: 36387873 PMCID: PMC9640492 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1034043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction disease, and it was predicted that the number of ED patients worldwide will reach 322 million by 2025. However, the pathogenesis of ED is complex and the current treatment options are still limited, so it is urgent to explore new treatment strategies. Recent studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in ED, and these single-stranded non-coding small RNA molecules are involved in key pathophysiological processes in the occurrence and development of ED. Therefore, miRNAs have remarkable potential as therapeutic targets in ED. Here, this review introduces the physiological basis of erectile function and the pathophysiological changes in ED and summarizes the current knowledge on the expression, biological functions, and molecular mechanisms of miRNAs in ED, especially the potential of miRNA-targeted therapies to improve ED. This review will provide a comprehensive view of the role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of ED and the potential value of miRNAs in the treatment of ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Song
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiaxin Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenchao Xu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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12
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Feng H, Liu Q, Deng Z, Li H, Zhang H, Song J, Liu X, Liu J, Wen B, Wang T. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate erectile dysfunction in rats with diabetes mellitus through the attenuation of ferroptosis. Stem Cell Res Ther 2022; 13:450. [PMID: 36064453 PMCID: PMC9444126 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-022-03147-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Erectile dysfunction (ED), as one of the most prevalent consequences in male diabetic patients, has a serious impact on men's physical and mental health, and the treatment effect of diabetic mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED) is often worse. Therefore, the development of a novel therapeutic approach is urgent. As stem cells with high differentiation potential, human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs) have been widely used in the treatment of diseases in other systems, and are expected to be a promising strategy for the treatment of DMED. In this study, we investigated the role of HUCMSCs in managing erectile function in rat models of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and compared the effects of two different injection methods. Methods T1DM and T2DM ED rats were given labelled HUCMSCs by corpus cavernosum injection and tail vein injection, respectively. ICP and MAP were monitored simultaneously by electrical stimulation four weeks after injection to indicate the erectile function of rats. To track the development and colonisation capabilities of stem cells, we performed EdU assay with penile tissue. The histological changes of the penis were observed by hematoxylin–eosin staining, and Masson’s trichrome staining was conducted to evaluate the smooth muscle content and the degree of fibrosis in the rat penis. Then, we employed specific kits to measure the level of NO, cGMP, MDA, SOD and Fe in penis. Electron transmission microscopy was implemented to observe morphology of mitochondria. Besides, western blot and immunofluorescence staining were performed to demonstrate the expression of ferroptosis-related genes. Results We found that HUCMSCs improved erectile function in T1DM and T2DM ED rats, with no difference in efficacy between corpus cavernosum injection and tail vein injection. The EdU assay revealed that only a tiny percentage of HUCMSCs colonised the corpus cavernosum, while smooth muscle in the penis expanded and collagen decreased following HUCMSC injection. Moreover, the levels of oxidative stress in the penis of the rats given HUCMSCs were dramatically reduced, as was the tissue iron content. HUCMSCs normalised mitochondrial morphology within corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs), which were characteristically altered by high glucose. Furthermore, the expression of ferroptosis inhibitory genes SLC7A11 and GPX4 was obviously elevated in CCSMCs after stem cell management, but the abundances of ACSL4, LPCAT3 and ALOX15 showed the polar opposite tendency. Conclusions HUCMSCs can effectively and safely alleviate erectile dysfunction in T1DM and T2DM ED rats, while restoring erectile function by attenuating diabetes-induced ferroptosis in CCSMCs. Additionally, this study provides significant evidence for the development of HUCMSCs as a viable therapeutic strategy for DMED. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-03147-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Feng
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qi Liu
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhiyao Deng
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Huajie Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Jingyu Song
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiaming Liu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bo Wen
- Department of Urology, Shenzhen Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China. .,Shenzhen Huazhong University of Science and Technology Research Institute, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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13
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Yao X, Yuan Y, Jing T, Ye S, Wang S, Xia D. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide ameliorated diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction in rats by regulating fibrosis and the NOS/ERK/JNK pathway. Transl Androl Urol 2022; 11:982-995. [PMID: 35958898 PMCID: PMC9360518 DOI: 10.21037/tau-22-428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) is a frequent complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), with limited therapy at present. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP) on DMED. Methods DMED was induced in the experimental rats [male 12-week-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats] by treatment with streptozotocin (60 mg/kg) and apomorphine (APO). Next, rats in the GLP low dose (GLP-L)/GLP high dose (GLP-H) groups were treated with GLP (100 or 400 mg/kg/d, respectively) for 8 weeks. Subsequently, erectile function was assessed by APO and electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve (CN). Serum or penile testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) contents were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of oxidative stress indicators in the corpus cavernosum (CC) were measured by corresponding kits, and histological changes in the CC were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Additionally, the apoptosis index, caspase-3, caspase-9, and eNOS expression, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were also detected. Furthermore, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and western blot assays were conducted to determine the NOS, TGF-β1 mRNA expression, ERK1/2, eNOS, JNK phosphorylation, and arginase II protein expression. Results The erectile function test revealed that erectile dysfunction (ED) was alleviated in the DMED rats following treatment with GLP. Moreover, GLP upregulated the T and cGMP content, improved the oxidative stress and histological injuries of CC, and also inhibited the apoptosis and MMP loss of penile tissues in DMED rats. Furthermore, GLP treatment enhanced the mRNA expression of NOS and TGF-β1 and suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, eNOS, and JNK, as well as the protein expression of arginase II in DMED rats. Conclusions GLP ameliorated DMED by repairing the CC pathological damage and upregulating NOS expression and ERK/JNK phosphorylation, indicating that GLP may be a candidate drug for DMED therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolin Yao
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yufang Yuan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Taile Jing
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Sunyi Ye
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shuo Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Xia
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
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14
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Ma Z, Wang W, Pan C, Fan C, Li Y, Wang W, Lan T, Gong F, Zhao C, Zhao Z, Yu S, Yuan M. N-acetylcysteine improves diabetic associated erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by inhibiting oxidative stress. J Cell Mol Med 2022; 26:3527-3537. [PMID: 35593216 PMCID: PMC9189351 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.17394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED). This study aimed to investigate the effect of N‐acetylcysteine (NAC) on DMED in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice and to explore potential mechanisms. In the present study, we show that an erectile dysfunction is present in the streptozotocin‐induced mouse model of diabetes as indicated by decreases in intracavernous pressure responses to electro‐stimulation as well as from results of the apomorphine test of erectile function. After treatment of NAC, the intracavernous pressure was increased. In these DMED mice, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were significantly reduced within the cavernous microenvironment, while activity of antioxidant enzymes in this cavernous tissue was enhanced after NAC treatment. These changes protected mitochondrial stress damage and a significant decreased in apoptosis within the cavernous tissue of DMED mice. This appears to involve activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐like‐2 (Nrf2) signalling pathway, as well as suppression of the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38/ NF‐κB pathway within cavernous tissue. In conclusion, NAC can improve erectile function through inhibiting oxidative stress via activating Nrf2 pathways and reducing apoptosis in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice. NAC might provide a promising therapeutic strategy for individuals with DMED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Ma
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenzhen Wang
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Chao Pan
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Cuiqin Fan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Ye Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Tian Lan
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Fangxin Gong
- Department of Urology, The Second Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Changbo Zhao
- Department of Urology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Shandong, China
| | - Zichao Zhao
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Shuyan Yu
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Mingzhen Yuan
- Department of Urology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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15
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Schneidewind L, Neumann T, Peters N, Kranz J, Probst KA, Heidel FH, Hakenberg OW, Krüger W. Significance of men's health in long-term survivors of allogeneic stem cell transplantation. Bone Marrow Transplant 2022; 57:998-1000. [PMID: 35338338 PMCID: PMC9200626 DOI: 10.1038/s41409-022-01638-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Laila Schneidewind
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany.
| | - Thomas Neumann
- Department of Internal Medicine C, University Medical Center Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Nandette Peters
- Department of Internal Medicine C, University Medical Center Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Jennifer Kranz
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany
- Department of Urology and Kidney Transplantation, Martin-Luther-University, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Kai A Probst
- Private Urological Practice, Zweibruecken, Germany
| | - Florian H Heidel
- Department of Internal Medicine C, University Medical Center Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Oliver W Hakenberg
- Department of Urology, University Medical Center Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - William Krüger
- Department of Internal Medicine C, University Medical Center Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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16
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Liu K, Sun T, Luan Y, Chen Y, Song J, Ling L, Yuan P, Li R, Cui K, Ruan Y, Lan R, Wang T, Wang S, Liu J, Rao K. Berberine ameliorates erectile dysfunction in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus through the attenuation of apoptosis by inhibiting the SPHK1/S1P/S1PR2 and MAPK pathways. Andrology 2021; 10:404-418. [PMID: 34674380 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The population with diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction is increasing rapidly, but current drugs are not effective in treating erectile dysfunction. Studies of the traditional Chinese medicine extract berberine on diabetes and its complications provide us with new ideas. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the therapeutic effect and potential mechanism of berberine on the erectile function of diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly grouped, and 42 rats were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin to establish a diabetes model. Erectile dysfunction rats were screened out through the apomorphine test and randomly divided into the diabetes mellitus and berberine groups, and these animals were administered berberine (200 mg/kg/day) and normal saline by gavage for 4 weeks. Primary corpus cavernous smooth muscle cells from healthy rats were cultured and treated with berberine. RESULTS Fasting blood glucose in the diabetes mellitus group was significantly increased, while berberine showed no significant effect on glucose. Erectile function was obviously impaired in the diabetes mellitus group, and berberine administration partially rescued this impairment. The expression of sphingosine kinase 1, S1PR2, and sphingosine-1-phosphate in the diabetes mellitus group was increased. Berberine partially inhibited the expression of sphingosine kinase 1 and S1PR2, but the decrease in sphingosine-1-phosphate was not significant. Moreover, mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway factor expression was upregulated and eNOS activity was decreased in the diabetes mellitus group. Berberine treatment could partially reverse these alterations. Severe fibrosis and apoptosis were detected in diabetic rats, accompanied by higher expression of TGFβ1, collagen I/IV, Bax/Bcl-2, and caspase 3 than in the other groups. However, supplementation with berberine inhibited the expression of these proteins and attenuated fibrosis and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS Berberine ameliorated erectile dysfunction in rats with diabetes mellitus, possibly by improving endothelial function and inhibiting apoptosis and fibrosis by suppressing the sphingosine kinase 1/sphingosine-1-phosphate/S1PR2 and mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yang Luan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yinwei Chen
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jingyu Song
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Le Ling
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Penghui Yuan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Kai Cui
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yajun Ruan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ruzhu Lan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shaogang Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Ke Rao
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.,Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Mechanisms of sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) signaling on excessive stress-induced root resorption during orthodontic molar intrusion. Clin Oral Investig 2021; 26:1003-1016. [PMID: 34363103 DOI: 10.1007/s00784-021-04084-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to investigate cementocyte mechanotransduction during excessive orthodontic intrusive force-induced root resorption and the role of S1P signaling in this process. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-four 12-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group (Control), intrusive stress application group (Stress), and intrusive stress together with S1PR2-specific antagonist injection group (Stress + JTE). A rat molar intrusion model was established on animals in the Stress and the Stress + JTE groups. The animals in the Stress + JTE group received daily intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of S1PR2 antagonist JTE-013, while the Control and Stress groups received only the vehicle. Histomorphometric, immunohistochemical, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot analyses were performed after euthanizing of the rats. RESULTS Root resorption was promoted in the Stress group with increased volumes of resorption pits and amounts of molar intrusion compared with the Control group. The expression levels of cementogenic- and cementoclastic-related factors were affected under excessive intrusive force. Immunohistochemical staining and qRT-PCR analysis showed promoted S1P signaling activities during molar intrusion. Western blot analysis indicated decreased nuclear translocation of β-catenin under excessive intrusive force. Through the administration of JTE-013, S1P signaling activity was suppressed and excessive intrusive force-induced root resorption was reversed. The regulation of S1P signaling could also influence the nuclear translocation of β-catenin and the expressions of cementogenic- and cementoclastic-related factors. CONCLUSIONS Root resorption was promoted under excessive orthodontic intrusive force due to the disruption of cementum homeostasis. S1P signaling pathway might play an important role in cementocyte mechanotransduction in this process. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The S1P signaling might be a promising therapeutic target for novel therapeutic approaches to prevent external root resorption caused by excessive orthodontic intrusive force.
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Qu SL, Chen L, Wen XS, Zuo JP, Wang XY, Lu ZJ, Yang YF. Suppression of Th17 cell differentiation via sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 by cinnamaldehyde can ameliorate ulcerative colitis. Biomed Pharmacother 2021; 134:111116. [PMID: 33341041 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2020.111116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is chronic disease characterized by diffuse inflammation of the mucosa of the colon and rectum. Although the etiology is unknown, dysregulation of the intestinal mucosal immune system is closely related to UC. Cinnamaldehyde (CA) is a major active compound from cinnamon, is known as its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. However, little research focused on its regulatory function on immune cells in UC. Therefore, we set out to explore the modulating effects of CA on immune cells in UC. We found that CA reduced the progression of colitis through controlling the production of proinflammatory cytokines and inhibiting the proportion of Th17 cells. Furthermore, the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) method was employed for analyzing and differentiating metabolites, data showed that sphingolipid pathway has a great influence on the effect of CA on UC. Meanwhile, sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2 (S1P2) and Rho-GTP protein levels were downregulated in colonic tissues after CA treatment. Moreover, in vitro assays showed that CA inhibited Th17 cell differentiation and downregulated of S1P2 and Rho-GTP signaling. Notably, we found that treatment with S1P2 antagonist (JTE-013) weakened the inhibitory effect of CA on Th17 cells. Furthermore, S1P2 deficiency (S1P2-/-) blocked the effect of CA on Th17 cell differentiation. In addition, CA can also improve inflammation via lncRNA H19 and MIAT. To sum up, this study provides clear evidence that CA can ameliorate ulcerative colitis through suppressing Th17 cells via S1P2 pathway and regulating lncRNA H19 and MIAT, which further supports S1P2 as a potential drug target for immunity-mediated UC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Lan Qu
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Long Chen
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xue-Shan Wen
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Jian-Ping Zuo
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; Laboratory of Anti-inflammation and Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Wang
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China; Laboratory of Anti-inflammation and Immunopharmacology, State Key Laboratory of Drug Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 201203, China.
| | - Zhi-Jie Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Unit, Eastern Hepatobiliary Surgery Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200438, China.
| | - Yi-Fu Yang
- Experiment Center for Science and Technology, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, 201203, China.
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Zewdie KA, Ayza MA, Tesfaye BA, Wondafrash DZ, Berhe DF. A Systematic Review on Rho-Kinase as a Potential Therapeutic Target for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. Res Rep Urol 2020; 12:261-272. [PMID: 32766173 PMCID: PMC7373493 DOI: 10.2147/rru.s255743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common clinical condition with limited treatment options. The main aim of the present systematic review was to synthesize information on Rho-kinase as a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of ED. Methods We performed a systematic literature study in PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus. Included studies were original articles studied the role of Rho-kinase in the pathogenesis and/or new treatment approach for ED in animal models and clinical studies, published between 2014 and 2019. Data derived from each study were study design used, interventions applied and main treatment outcomes. The quality of the selected articles was assessed by CAMARADES criteria and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results A total of 1067 original articles were retrieved in the given period and eighteen papers met our inclusion criteria. Five articles explain the role of Rho-kinase in ED pathogenesis using different models such as cavernous nerve crush injury, heart failure-induced ED, vasculogenic and post-radical prostatectomy ED, diabetes-induced ED and age-related ED. Other ten papers explain the role of novel drugs evaluated for ED treatment by targeting Rho-kinase as a new approach for ED therapy. The rest three papers discuss the role of plant extracts used by traditional society for the treatment of ED and assess their potential function in targeting Rho-kinase in animal models. The penile erectile functional index has shown that the ratio of intracavernosal pressure to mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) was decreased due to age and various chronic diseases. Whilst, ROCK I and ROCK II expression were increased. Western blot findings have also shown that ROCK II and MYPT-1 phosphorylation rates increased in cavernous tissue after ED induction. Besides, compounds which can inhibit the action of Rho-kinase activity showed relaxation of the corpus cavernosum, decrease in corporal fibrosis, and alleviate increased apoptosis and caspase-3 activity in an NO-independent manner. Moreover, histological and molecular dysregulation have been improved by inhibition of Rho-kinase. Conclusion Targeting Rho-kinase may be a possible target for the treatment of ED secondary to specific causes, and Rho-kinase inhibitors may be a new drug family for the treatment of ED. However, this requires further studies for in-depth understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaleab Alemayehu Zewdie
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Muluken Altaye Ayza
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Bekalu Amare Tesfaye
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Dawit Zewdu Wondafrash
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
| | - Derbew Fikadu Berhe
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia
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