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Lynda EO, Kingsley NE, Obukohwo OM, Benneth BA, Victor E, Simon OI, Agbonifo-Chijiokwu E, Oghenetega OB. Arjunolic acid reverses fluoxetine-induced alterations in testicular steroidogenic enzymes and membrane bound ionic pump imbalance through suppression of oxido-inflammatory stress and apoptosis. JBRA Assist Reprod 2024; 28:66-77. [PMID: 37962970 PMCID: PMC10936923 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20230062] [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: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The impact of the anti-depressant therapy on gonadal function has been recognized and discussed over the years. However, data to supplement our understanding of the impact of arjunolic acid (AA) therapies in protecting against FXT-induced gonadal dysfunction is lacking clear scientific evidence. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the possible effect of AA on fluoxetine-induced altered testicular function in rats. METHODS After 14 days acclimatization, Thirty-six (36) adult male rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n=6). Rats in groups 1 received normal saline (10mL/kg); groups 2 & 3 were given AA (1.0mg/kg body weight) and AA (2.0mg/kg body weight), respectively; whereas, rats in group 4 were given FXT (10mg/kg/p.o/day), and groups 5 & 6 were given a combination of FXT (10mg/kg) + AA (1.0mg/kg body weight); and FXT (10mg/kg) + AA (2.0mg/kg body weight), respectively. RESULTS The results shows that FXT significantly altered testicular steroidogenic enzymes (3ß-HSD and 17ß-HSD) and proton pump ATPase (Na+/K+ ATPase, Ca2+ ATPase and H+ ATPase) activities, as well as testicular architecture when compared with controls. More so, FXT caused oxido-inflammation and apoptosis, as evidence by increases in MDA, MPO, TNF-α, IL-1ß, Caspase 3 and p53. However, AA at a different dose significantly ameliorated the destructive impacts of FXT on steroidogenic enzymes, proton pump ATPase as well as increased Bcl-2, SOD, CAT, GSH and improved testicular architecture in rats. CONCLUSIONS AA reverses fluoxetine-induced alterations in testicular steroidogenic enzymes and membrane-bound ionic pump through suppression of oxido-inflammatory stress and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edozie Ojochem Lynda
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science,
Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Nwangwa Eze Kingsley
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science,
Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | | | - Ben-Azu Benneth
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, Delta
State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Emojevvwe Victor
- Department of Human Physiology, University of Medical Sciences,
Ondo, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Ovuakporaye I. Simon
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science,
Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Ejime Agbonifo-Chijiokwu
- Department of Human Physiology, Faculty of Basic Medical Science,
Delta State University, Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria
| | - Onome B. Oghenetega
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Science, Babcock
University, Illisan-Romo, Ogun State, Nigeria
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Baldini S, Khattak A, Capogrosso P, Antonini G, Dehò F, Schifano F, Schifano N. The Possible Role of Prescribing Medications, Including Central Nervous System Drugs, in Contributing to Male-Factor Infertility (MFI): Assessment of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pharmacovigilance Database. Brain Sci 2023; 13:1652. [PMID: 38137101 PMCID: PMC10741514 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13121652] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A wide range of medications may have a possible role in the development of male-factor infertility (MFI), including various antineoplastic agents, testosterone/anabolic steroids, immunosuppressive drugs/immunomodulators, glucocorticosteroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opiates, antiandrogenic drugs/5-alpha-reductase inhibitors, various antibiotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, antiepileptic agents and others. We aimed at investigating this issue from a pharmacovigilance-based perspective. METHODS The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database was queried to identify the drugs associated the most with MFI individual reports. Only those drugs being associated with more than 10 MFI reports were considered for the disproportionality analysis. Proportional Reporting Ratios (PRRs) and their confidence intervals were computed for all the drugs identified in this way in January 2023. Secondary, 'unmasking', dataset analyses were carried out as well. RESULTS Out of the whole database, 955 MFI reports were identified, 408 (42.7%) of which were associated with 20 medications, which had more than 10 reports each. Within this group, finasteride, testosterone, valproate, diethylstilbestrol, mechloretamine, verapamil, lovastatin and nifedipine showed significant levels of actual disproportionate reporting. Out of these, and before unmasking, the highest PRR values were identified for finasteride, diethylstilbestrol and mechloretamine, respectively, with values of 16.0 (12.7-20.3), 14.3 (9.1-22.4) and 58.7 (36.3-95.9). CONCLUSIONS A variety of several medications, a number of which were already supposed to be potentially linked with MFI based on the existing evidence, were associated with significant PRR levels for MFI in this analysis. A number of agents which were previously hypothesized to be associated with MFI were not represented in this analysis, suggesting that drug-induced MFI is likely under-reported to regulatory agencies. Reproductive medicine specialists should put more effort into the detection and reporting of these adverse drug reactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Baldini
- ASST Sette Laghi—Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Hospital, 21100 Varese, Italy; (S.B.); (P.C.); (G.A.); (F.D.)
- Division of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Ahmed Khattak
- King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London SE5 9RS, UK;
| | - Paolo Capogrosso
- ASST Sette Laghi—Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Hospital, 21100 Varese, Italy; (S.B.); (P.C.); (G.A.); (F.D.)
| | - Gabriele Antonini
- ASST Sette Laghi—Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Hospital, 21100 Varese, Italy; (S.B.); (P.C.); (G.A.); (F.D.)
- Antonini Urology, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Dehò
- ASST Sette Laghi—Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Hospital, 21100 Varese, Italy; (S.B.); (P.C.); (G.A.); (F.D.)
- Division of Urology, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Schifano
- Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Research Unit, School of Life and Medical Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield AL10 9AB, UK;
| | - Nicolò Schifano
- ASST Sette Laghi—Circolo e Fondazione Macchi Hospital, 21100 Varese, Italy; (S.B.); (P.C.); (G.A.); (F.D.)
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Britto-Júnior J, Lima AT, Campos R, Gião AA, Mendes GD, Ferreira-Novaes Silva LP, Fregonesi A, Pupo AS, Antunes E, De Nucci G. 6-Nitrodopamine potentiates contractions of rat isolated vas deferens induced by noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine and electric field stimulation. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 396:2555-2570. [PMID: 37014401 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-023-02478-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
6-Nitrodopamine (6-ND) is a novel endogenous catecholamine that is released from the rat isolated vas deferens, and has been characterized as a major modulator of the contractility of rat isolated epididymal vas deferens (RIEVD). Drugs such as tricyclic antidepressants, α1 and β1β2 adrenoceptor blockers, act as selective antagonists of the 6-ND receptor in the RIEVD. In the rat isolated atria, 6-ND has a potent positive chronotropic action and causes remarkable potentiation of the positive chronotropic effects induced by dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline. Here, whether 6-ND interacts with the classical catecholamines in the rat isolated vas deferens was investigated. Incubation with 6-ND (0.1 and 1 nM; 30min) caused no contractions in the RIEVD but provoked significant leftward shifts in the concentration-response curves to noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine. Pre-incubation of the RIEVD with 6-ND (1 nM), potentiated the contractions induced by electric-field stimulation (EFS), whereas pre-incubation with 1 nM of dopamine, noradrenaline or adrenaline, did not affect EFS-induced contractions. In tetrodotoxin (1 μM) pre-treated (30 min) RIEVD, pre-incubation with 6-ND (0.1 nM) did not cause leftward shifts in the concentration-dependent contractions induced by noradrenaline, adrenaline, or dopamine. Pre-incubation of the RIEVD with the α2A-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan (30 min, 10 nM) did not affect dopamine, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and EFS-induced contractions. However, when idazoxan (10 nM) and 6-ND (0.1 nM) were simultaneously pre-incubated (30 min), a significant potentiation of the EFS-induced contractions of the RIEVD was observed. 6-nitrodopamine causes remarkable potentiation of dopamine, noradrenaline, and adrenaline contractions on the RIEVD, due to activation of adrenergic terminals, possibly via pre-synaptic adrenoceptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Britto-Júnior
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil.
| | - Antonio Tiago Lima
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Rafael Campos
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Luiza P Ferreira-Novaes Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Adriano Fregonesi
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - André Sampaio Pupo
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Edson Antunes
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Gilberto De Nucci
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Faculty of Medicine, São Leopoldo Mandic (SLMANDIC), Campinas, SP, Brazil
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
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da Silva Moreira S, de Matos Manoel B, Inácio JPG, de Souza CG, Reis ACC, Jorge BC, de Aquino AM, Scarano WR, Cardoso CAL, Arena AC. Lactational exposure to venlafaxine provokes late repercussions on reproductive parameters in male rat offspring. J Appl Toxicol 2023; 43:387-401. [PMID: 36063371 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can affect hormone-dependent processes, such as the brain sexual differentiation. Because the use of these antidepressants cause concern during lactation, we evaluated the possible effects of venlafaxine on lactational exposure and its late repercussions on reproductive parameters in male rats. Lactating rats were exposed to venlafaxine (3.85, 7.7, or 15.4 mg/kg/body weight; gavage), from lactational day 1 to 20. Venlafaxine and O-desmethylvenlafaxine residues were found in all milk samples of dams treated, demonstrating the lactational transfer of this antidepressant to the offspring. Although the maternal behavior was normal, the dams presented an increase in urea and uric acid levels in the groups treated with 7.7 and 15.4, respectively, as well as a spleen weight increased in the 3.85 and 15.4 groups. The male offspring showed a decrease in play behavior parameters in the intermediate dose group. Sperm analysis indicated a reduction in sperm motility in all treated groups. The androgen receptor expression in the hypothalamus was decreased in the highest dose group, although the sexual behavior had not been affected. In conclusion, venlafaxine was transferred through breast milk and promoted changes in play behavior, sperm quality, and hypothalamic androgen receptor (AR) content, which may indicate an incomplete masculinization of the brain of male offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suyane da Silva Moreira
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Beatriz de Matos Manoel
- School of Health Sciences, Federal University of Grande Dourados, UFGD, Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil
| | - João Pedro Gaspar Inácio
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Carolina Gabrielli de Souza
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Ana Carolina Casali Reis
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Campos Jorge
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Ariana Musa de Aquino
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Wellerson Rodrigo Scarano
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | | | - Arielle Cristina Arena
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, UNESP - Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil.,Center of Toxicological Assistance (CEATOX), Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo, Brazil
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Kaur S, Kaur A, Jaswal N, Aniqa A, Sadwal S, Bharati S. Selenium attenuates venlafaxine hydrochloride-induced testicular damage in mice via modulating oxidative stress and apoptosis. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14050. [PMID: 33733493 DOI: 10.1111/and.14050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study assessed the effect of selenium (Se) supplementation on Venlafaxine hydrochloride (VH)-induced testicular toxicity. Mice were segregated into Group I (C), Group II (0.5 ppm Se), Group III (VH at a dose 60 mg/kg b.w.) and Group IV (Se was given as per Group II, and VH was given as per Group III). After 10 weeks, sperm parameters, histology, sperm cell counts, antioxidants activities, apoptotic proteins and molecular analysis of testicular tissue were evaluated. Group III had significantly lower sperm concentration (from 2.17 ± 0.28 to 1.04 ± 0.22) and sperm motility (from 68.04 ± 5.5 to 21.47 ± 5.21), and showed an extensive vacuolisation in the germinal epithelium, abnormal basement membrane, and reduced germ cell number as compared to Group I. However, selenium supplementation in Group IV substantially increased sperm concentration (1.47 ± 0.48) and motility (33.27 ± 8.66), improved the histoarchitecture and repopulated the germ cells as observed by raised numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, round spermatids and elongated spermatids contrasted to Group III. Group IV also showed a noteworthy decreased ROS, LPO levels, as well as expressions of Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3 and increased the SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH activities as well the expression of Bcl-2 as compared to Group III. This effect was further supported by FTIR analysis for nucleic acids. Thus, selenium supplementation showed significant protection against VH-induced testicular toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Amarjit Kaur
- Department of Chemistry, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Nisha Jaswal
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Aniqa Aniqa
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Shilpa Sadwal
- Department of Biophysics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sanjay Bharati
- Department of Nuclear Medicine, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Udupi, India
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Free Testosterone and Prolactin Levels and Sperm Morphology and Function Among Male Patients With Tramadol Abuse: A Case-Control Study. J Clin Psychopharmacol 2021; 40:405-408. [PMID: 32639294 DOI: 10.1097/jcp.0000000000001223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/PURPOSE Tramadol abuse has become a crisis in Egypt and many other Middle Eastern countries. Tramadol abuse is associated with sexual dysfunction and male infertility, according to recent animal and human studies. The objective of this study was to compare tramadol abuse patients and healthy controls regarding free testosterone and prolactin levels and semen analysis. METHODS Sixty patients with opiate use disorders attributed to tramadol (OUD-T) based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) diagnostic criteria and 30 healthy controls were included in the study. Sociodemographic and clinical data and urine, blood, and semen samples were collected from patients and controls for assessment. RESULTS Compared with controls, OUD-T patients had higher prolactin and lower free testosterone levels. Patients with OUD-T were more likely to have lower sperm count and higher abnormal motility and forms of sperms compared with controls. CONCLUSIONS Patients with OUD-T were found to be more likely to have lower free testosterone levels and lower sperm counts and vitality, and higher prolactin levels and sperm abnormal forms compared with controls.
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Fahim AT, Abd El-Fattah AA, Sadik NAH, Ali BM. Resveratrol and dimethyl fumarate ameliorate testicular dysfunction caused by chronic unpredictable mild stress-induced depression in rats. Arch Biochem Biophys 2019; 665:152-165. [DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2019.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Revised: 03/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/16/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Effects of in vitro, acute and chronic treatment with fluoxetine on the sympathetic neurotransmission of rat vas deferens. Auton Neurosci 2017; 203:17-24. [DOI: 10.1016/j.autneu.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2016] [Revised: 09/26/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Chronic administration of imipramine but not agomelatine and moclobemide affects the nitrergic relaxation of rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Eur J Pharmacol 2013; 714:442-7. [PMID: 23845214 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2013.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2013] [Revised: 06/10/2013] [Accepted: 07/01/2013] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Sexual dysfunction is a common and underestimated effect of antidepressants. However, the mechanism by which these drugs cause erectile dysfunction is unclear. We investigated the reactivity of the corpus cavernosum of rabbits that were treated with either chronic imipramine, which is a tricyclic agent; agomelatine, which is a melatonergic agonist and serotonin 5HT(2c) antagonist; or moclobemide, which is a reversible inhibitor of monoamine-oxidase A. Twenty rabbits were randomly divided into four groups: the control group (n=5), the imipramine-treated group (n=5), which received i.p. injections of 10 mg/kg/day of imipramine, the moclobemide-treated group (n=5), which received i.p. injections of 20 mg/kg/day of moclobemide, and the agomelatine-treated group (n=5), which was orally administered 10 mg/kg/day of agomelatine. The reactivities of corpus cavernosum tissue obtained from the antidepressant-treated and the control groups were studied in organ chambers after the animals were subjected to 21 days of drug administration. The acetylcholine-induced endothelium-dependent and the electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced neurogenic relaxation of the corpus cavernosum of the imipramine-treated group was significantly decreased compared with the control group. However, neither the acetylcholine- nor EFS-induced relaxation was changed in the moclobemide- or agomelatine-treated groups. There were no change in the relaxant response to the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside and contractile response to KCl between the groups. This study suggests that chronic imipramine treatment but not agomelatine and moclobemide treatments causes significant functional changes in the penile erectile tissue of rabbits and that these changes may contribute to the development of impotence.
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Chronic administration of fluoxetine impairs neurogenic and endothelium-dependent relaxation of the rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Eur J Pharmacol 2011; 670:224-8. [PMID: 21925166 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2011.08.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2011] [Revised: 08/07/2011] [Accepted: 08/27/2011] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), cause erectile dysfunction; however, the mechanism by which they cause erectile function is unclear. We investigated the reactivity of the corpus cavernosum after chronic fluoxetine treatment in rabbits. Twelve rabbits were randomly divided into two groups: control (n=6) or 20mg/kg/day of fluoxetine delivered i.p. (n=6). The reactivity of the corpus cavernosum tissue from the fluoxetine-treated and control groups was studied in organ chambers after 21 days of fluoxetine injection. In the fluoxetine-treated group, endothelium-dependent relaxation of the corpus cavernosum in response to acetylcholine was significantly decreased compared to the control group. However, the sensitivity (i.e., pD(2)) of the fluoxetine-treated cavernosal tissue strips to acetylcholine was not changed with respect to controls. Electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced neurogenic relaxation was also significantly reduced in the fluoxetine-treated group. Relaxation in response to the nitric oxide (NO) donor sodium nitroprusside was similar between the cavernosal tissues from the two groups. There was also no change in agonist potency between the two groups. Additionally, chronic fluoxetine treatment had no effect on KCl-induced contractile responses. When tissue contraction was produced with phenylephrine to study relaxation in response to various stimuli, the tension induced was similar between the fluoxetine-treated and control groups. This study suggests that chronic fluoxetine treatment causes significant functional changes to the penile erectile tissue of rabbits, and these changes may contribute to the development of impotence.
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