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Trujillo Cubillo L, Gurdal M, Zeugolis DI. Corneal fibrosis: From in vitro models to current and upcoming drug and gene medicines. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 2024; 209:115317. [PMID: 38642593 DOI: 10.1016/j.addr.2024.115317] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
Fibrotic diseases are characterised by myofibroblast differentiation, uncontrolled pathological extracellular matrix accumulation, tissue contraction, scar formation and, ultimately tissue / organ dysfunction. The cornea, the transparent tissue located on the anterior chamber of the eye, is extremely susceptible to fibrotic diseases, which cause loss of corneal transparency and are often associated with blindness. Although topical corticosteroids and antimetabolites are extensively used in the management of corneal fibrosis, they are associated with glaucoma, cataract formation, corneoscleral melting and infection, imposing the need of far more effective therapies. Herein, we summarise and discuss shortfalls and recent advances in in vitro models (e.g. transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) / ascorbic acid / interleukin (IL) induced) and drug (e.g. TGF-β inhibitors, epigenetic modulators) and gene (e.g. gene editing, gene silencing) therapeutic strategies in the corneal fibrosis context. Emerging therapeutical agents (e.g. neutralising antibodies, ligand traps, receptor kinase inhibitors, antisense oligonucleotides) that have shown promise in clinical setting but have not yet assessed in corneal fibrosis context are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Trujillo Cubillo
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mehmet Gurdal
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland
| | - Dimitrios I Zeugolis
- Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), Charles Institute of Dermatology, Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research and School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin (UCD), Dublin, Ireland.
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Adami LNG, Moysés-Oliveira M, Souza-Cunha LA, Vasco MB, Tufik S, Andersen ML. Lipid metabolism and neuromuscular junction as common pathways underlying the genetic basis of erectile dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea. Int J Impot Res 2023:10.1038/s41443-023-00795-1. [PMID: 37990110 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-023-00795-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2023] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) incidence is higher in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). Studies have suggested that ED and OSA may activate similar pathways; however, few have investigated the links between their underlying genotypic profiles. Therefore, we conducted an in-silico analysis to test whether ED and OSA share genetic variants of risk and to identify any molecular, cellular and biological interactions between them. Two gene lists were manually curated through a literature review based on a PUBMED search, which resulted in one gene list associated with ED (total of 205 genes) and the other with OSA (total of 2622 genes). Between those gene sets, 35 were common for both lists (Fisher exact test, p-value = 0.027). The Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis using the intersect list as input showed that 3 of them had direct interactions (LPL, DGKB and PLCB1). In addition, the biological function of the genes contained in the intersect list suggested that pathways related to lipid metabolism and the neuromuscular junction were commonly found in the genetic basis of ED and OSA. From the shared genes between both conditions, the biological pathways highlighted in this study may serve as preliminary findings for future functional investigations on OSA and ED association.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana N G Adami
- Sleep Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Matheus Brandão Vasco
- Departamento de Cirurgia, Disciplina de Urologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Sergio Tufik
- Sleep Institute, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Monica L Andersen
- Sleep Institute, São Paulo, Brazil.
- Departamento de Psicobiologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
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Xi Y, Ge Y, Hu D, Xia T, Chen J, Zhang C, Cui Y, Xiao H. Caveolin-1 scaffolding domain peptide prevents corpus cavernosum fibrosis and erectile dysfunction in bilateral cavernous nerve injury-induced rats. J Sex Med 2023; 20:1274-1284. [PMID: 37724695 DOI: 10.1093/jsxmed/qdad108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Corpus cavernosum (CC) fibrosis significantly contributes to post-radical prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (pRP-ED). Caveolin-1 scaffolding domain (CSD)-derived peptide has gained significant concern as a potent antagonist of tissue fibrosis. However, applying CSD peptide on bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI)-induced rats remains uninvestigated. AIM The aim was to explore the therapeutic outcome and underlying mechanism of CSD peptide for preventing ED in BCNI rats according to the hypothesis that CSD peptide may exert beneficial effects on erectile tissue and function following BCNI through limiting collagen synthesis in CC smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) and CC fibrosis. METHODS After completing a random assignment of male Sprague Dawley rats (10 weeks of age), BCNI rats received either saline or CSD peptide treatment, as opposed to sham-operated rats. The evaluations of erectile function (EF) and succedent collection and histological and molecular biological examinations of penile tissue were accomplished 3 weeks postoperatively. In addition, the fibrotic model of CCSMCs was used to further explore the mechanism of CSD peptide action in vitro. OUTCOMES The assessments of EF, SMC/collagen ratio, α-smooth muscle actin, caveolin-1 (CAV1), and profibrotic indicators expressions were conducted. RESULTS BCNI rats exhibited significant decreases in EF, SMC/collagen ratio, α-SMA, and CAV1 levels, and increases in collagen content together with transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1/Smad2 activity. However, impaired EF, activated CC fibrosis, and Smad2 signaling were attenuated after 3 weeks of CSD peptide treatment in BCNI rats. In vitro, TGF-β1-induced CCSMCs underwent fibrogenetic transformation characterized by lower expression of CAV1, higher collagen composition, and phosphorylation of Smad2; then, the delivery of CSD peptide could significantly block CCSMC fibrosis by inactivating Smad2 signaling. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS Based on available evidence of CSD peptide in the prevention of ED in BCNI rats, this study can aid in the development and clinical application of CSD peptide targeting pRP-ED. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS This study provides data to suggest that CSD peptide protects against BCNI-induced deleterious alterations in EF and CC tissues. However, the available evidence still does not fully clarify the detailed mechanism of action of CSD peptide. CONCLUSION Administration of CSD peptide significantly retarded collagen synthesis in CCSMCs, limited CC fibrosis, and prevented ED via confrontation of TGF-β1/Smad signaling in BCNI rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhang Xi
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Yunlong Ge
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Daoyuan Hu
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
- Department of Urology, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Tian Xia
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Jialiang Chen
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Chi Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Yubin Cui
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
| | - Hengjun Xiao
- Department of Urology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong 020-510000, China
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Wang Y, Zhang X, Chen Y, Zhu B, Xing Q. Identification of hub biomarkers and exploring the roles of immunity, M6A, ferroptosis, or cuproptosis in rats with diabetic erectile dysfunction. Andrology 2023; 11:316-331. [PMID: 35975587 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13265] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, patients with diabetic erectile dysfunction (DMED) were not satisfied with the effects of first-line phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is). Hence, this paper was designed to mine hub biomarkers in DMED and explore its potential mechanisms. METHODS Gene expression matrix of DMED was downloaded from the gene expression omnibus (GEO; GSE2457) dataset. The top 20 genes were selected based on the connectivity degrees in protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Functional enrichment analysis was utilized to reveal DMED-related signaling pathways. We also explored the roles of immunity, m6A, ferroptosis, or cuproptosis in DMED and constructed Sprague Dawley (SD) rats DMED model to verify gene expressions by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS Based on the threshold, a total of 122 differently expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in DMED, including 39 up-regulated and 83 down-regulated genes. Functional enrichment analysis implied that these DEGs were significantly enriched in peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, ferroptosis, hypoxia-inducible factor 1 signaling pathways, and so on. SD rats DMED model was also successfully established by us and validated by intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure, Masson's trichrome staining, and immunohistochemical analysis. We further verified the expression of these top 20 genes from the PPI network by qRT-PCR in the SD rats DMED model and finally identified Sparc, Lox, Srebf1, and Mmp3 as hub biomarkers (all p < 0.05). As for immunity and cuproptosis, our analysis indicated that DMED had nothing to do with them (all p > 0.05). Actually, DMED was markedly associated with m6A regulators and ferroptosis. CONCLUSIONS We identified Sparc, Lox, Srebf1, and Mmp3 as potential hub biomarkers in the SD rats DMED model for future drug development and found its significant associations with m6A regulators and ferroptosis, but not with immunity or cuproptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China.,Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yinhao Chen
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Bingye Zhu
- Department of Urology, The Sixth People's Hospital of Nantong, Affiliated Nantong Hospital of Shanghai University, Nantong, China
| | - Qianwei Xing
- Department of Urology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, China
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Zhou X, Zhang T, Song L, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Cong R, Ji C, Luan J, Yao L, Zhang W, Song N, Wang S. Prenatal exposure to di-n-butyl phthalate induces erectile dysfunction in male adult rats. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2021; 219:112323. [PMID: 34015706 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2021.112323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP) is a widely used plasticizer and an environmental endocrine-disrupting compound. However, whether prenatal exposure to DBP can impair erectile function remains unknown. We conducted this study to investigate the potential effects of prenatal exposure to DBP on erectile function and the underlying mechanisms. A rat model of prenatal DBP exposure (12.5, 100 or 800 mg/kg/day by gavage during gestational days 13-21) was established. Prenatal DBP exposure significantly decreased penis/body weight ratio, myelin sheath thickness of cavernosum nerves and serum testosterone level in male rats at the age of 10 weeks. Furthermore, erectile dysfunction was detected in all DBP exposure groups, which exhibited substantial increases in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) expression and decreases in the expression of alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), neuronal and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (nNOS and eNOS). Additionally, the phospho-B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated death promoter (p-Bad)/Bad and phospho-the protein kinase B (p-AKT)/AKT ratios were remarkably lower, but the Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)/Bcl-2 ratio and caspase-3 were higher in DBP exposure groups than in the control group. Notably, prenatal exposure to DBP increase the risk of ED in male adult rats, even taking low dose of DBP (12.5 mg/kg/day). DBP exposure causing penile fibrosis, decreased testosterone level, and endothelial dysfunction may be responsible for ED by activating Akt/Bad/Bax/caspase-3 pathway and suppressing NOS/cGMP pathway in penis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Zhou
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Tongtong Zhang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Lebin Song
- Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Yichun Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Qijie Zhang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Rong Cong
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Chengjian Ji
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Jiaochen Luan
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Liangyu Yao
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China
| | - Ninghong Song
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China; The Affiliated Kezhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Kezhou, Xinjiang 845350, China.
| | - Shangqian Wang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, No. 300, Guangzhou Street, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province 210029, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
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Wang Y, Meng XH, Zhang QJ, Wang YM, Chen C, Wang YC, Zhou X, Ji CJ, Song NH. Losartan improves erectile function through suppression of corporal apoptosis and oxidative stress in rats with cavernous nerve injury. Asian J Androl 2020; 21:452-459. [PMID: 30880689 PMCID: PMC6732892 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_8_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the functional and morphological changes in the corpus cavernosum after cavernous nerve (CN) injury or neurectomy and then reveal whether treatment with the angiotensin II Type 1 receptor antagonist losartan would improve erectile function as well as its potential mechanisms. A total of 48 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats, weighing 300-350 g, were randomly divided into the following four groups (n = 12 per group): sham operation (Sham) group, bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) group, losartan-treated BCNI (BCNI + Losartan) group, and bilateral cavernous neurectomy (Neurectomy) group. Losartan was administered once daily by oral gavage at a dose of 30 mg kg-1 day-1 for 4 weeks starting on the day of surgery. The BCNI and the Neurectomy groups exhibited decreases in erectile response and increases in apoptosis and oxidative stress, compared with the Sham group. Treatment with losartan could have a modest effect on erectile function and significantly prevent corporal apoptosis and oxidative stress. The phospho-B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated death promoter (p-Bad)/Bad and phospho-the protein kinase B (p-AKT)/AKT ratios were substantially lower, while the Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax)/Bcl-2 ratio, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1), transforming growth factor-β 1 (TGF-β 1) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) levels, and caspase-3 activity were higher in the BCNI and Neurectomy groups than in the Sham group. After 4 weeks of daily administration with losartan, these expression levels were remarkably attenuated compared with the BCNI group. Taken together, our results suggested that early administration of losartan after CN injury could slightly improve erectile function and significantly reduce corporal apoptosis and oxidative stress by inhibiting the Akt/Bad/Bax/caspase-3 and Nrf2/Keap-1 pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xiang-Hu Meng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Qi-Jie Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ya-Min Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Yi-Chun Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Cheng-Jian Ji
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Ning-Hong Song
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China
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Liu MC, Chang ML, Wang YC, Chen WH, Wu CC, Yeh SD. Revisiting the Regenerative Therapeutic Advances Towards Erectile Dysfunction. Cells 2020; 9:E1250. [PMID: 32438565 PMCID: PMC7290763 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is an inability to attain or maintain adequate penile erection for successful vaginal intercourse, leading to sexual and relationship dissatisfaction. To combat ED, various surgical and non-surgical approaches have been developed in the past to restore erectile functions. These therapeutic interventions exhibit significant impact in providing relief to patients; however, due to their associated adverse effects and lack of long-term efficacy, newer modalities such as regenerative therapeutics have gained attention due to their safe and prolonged efficacy. Stem cells and platelet-derived biomaterials contained in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are thriving as some of the major therapeutic regenerative agents. In recent years, various preclinical and clinical studies have evaluated the individual, as well as combined of stem cells and PRP to restore erectile function. Being rich in growth factors, chemokines, and angiogenic factors, both stem cells and PRP play a crucial role in regenerating nerve cells, myelination of axons, homing and migration of progenitor cells, and anti-fibrosis and anti-apoptosis of damaged cavernous nerve in corporal tissues. Further, platelet-derived biomaterials have been proven to be a biological supplement for enhancing the proliferative and differentiation potential of stem cells towards neurogenic fate. Therefore, this article comprehensively analyzes the progresses of these regenerative therapies for ED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Che Liu
- Department of Urology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (M.-C.L.); (C.-C.W.)
- Clinical Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, school of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- School of Dental Technology, College of Oral Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Meng-Lin Chang
- Department of Urology, Fu Jen Catholic University Hospital, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan;
- School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Applied Science and Engineering, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City 242, Taiwan
| | - Ya-Chun Wang
- TCM Biotech International Corp., New Taipei City 22175, Taiwan; (Y.-C.W.); (W.-H.C.)
| | - Wei-Hung Chen
- TCM Biotech International Corp., New Taipei City 22175, Taiwan; (Y.-C.W.); (W.-H.C.)
| | - Chien-Chih Wu
- Department of Urology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan; (M.-C.L.); (C.-C.W.)
- Department of Education and Humanities in Medicine, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Shauh-Der Yeh
- Department of Urology and Oncology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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Wang Y, Wang Y, Cong R, Tian Y, Chen C, Wang Y, Zhang Q, Zhou X, Ji C, Meng X, Song N. Restoration of erectile function by suppression of corporal apoptosis and oxidative stress with losartan in aged rats with erectile dysfunction. Andrology 2020; 8:769-779. [PMID: 31968148 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2018] [Revised: 03/12/2019] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) increases progressively with age, but its potential pathophysiology has not been fully demonstrated. Hence, this article was aimed to identify the functional and morphological characterization of the corpus cavernosum in aged rats and to evaluate the effects of the Angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist losartan on age-related ED (AED). MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 40 young and aged Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups (n = 10 per group): young rats as normal controls (YNC) group; aged rats with normal erectile function (ANC) group; aged rats with ED (AED) group; and a losartan-treated AED (AED + Losartan) group. The treated group received losartan (30 mg/kg) once daily oral gavage for 4 weeks. Erectile function was measured by the ratio of peak intracavernous pressure (ICP)/mean arterial pressure (MAP), and relevant tissues were harvested for transmission electron microscopy, Immunohistochemistry, Masson's trichrome staining, TUNEL, caspase-3 activity assay and Western blot. RESULTS The AED group exhibited decreases in erectile response and increases in the role of apoptosis, fibrosis as well as oxidative stress, compared with the control groups. After daily administration of losartan for four weeks, it could slightly restore erectile function and significantly attenuate corporal apoptosis, fibrosis, and oxidative stress of AED. However, the result was still not comparable with that of the control groups. Moreover, the expression levels of p-Bad/Bad and p-AKT/AKT were significantly lower, whereas the expression levels of Bax/Bcl-2, Nrf2/Keap-1, Fibronectin, HO-1, and caspase-3 activity were significantly higher in the AED groups and while losartan could significantly attenuate these changes of AED, it was still not comparable with that of the control groups. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicated that administration of losartan not merely restored erectile function, but also significantly prevented corporal apoptosis and oxidative stress in AED by suppressing the Akt/Bad/Bax/caspase-3 and Nrf2/Keap-1 pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yamin Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Cong
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yichun Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qijie Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Zhou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chengjian Ji
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xianghu Meng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ninghong Song
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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Hassanin AM, Abdel-Hamid AZ. Cavernous smooth muscles: innovative potential therapies are promising for an unrevealed clinical diagnosis. Int Urol Nephrol 2019; 52:205-217. [DOI: 10.1007/s11255-019-02309-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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10
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Zhang Y, Yang J, Zhuan L, Zang G, Wang T, Liu J. Transplantation of adipose-derived stem cells overexpressing inducible nitric oxide synthase ameliorates diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction in rats. PeerJ 2019; 7:e7507. [PMID: 31423366 PMCID: PMC6694783 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.7507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Erectile dysfunction is a major complication of diabetes mellitus. Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have attracted much attention as a promising tool for the treatment of diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED). Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) plays an important role in protecting penile tissues from fibrosis. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of ADSCs overexpressing iNOS on DMED in rats. Methods ADSCs were isolated and infected with adenovirus overexpressing iNOS (named as ADSCs-iNOS). The expression of iNOS was detected using western blot analysis and real-time PCR. Rats were randomly assigned into five groups: control group, DMED group, ADSCs group, ADSCs-EGFP group and ADSCs-iNOS group. 5 × 105 cells were given once via the intracorporal route. Two weeks after treatment, erectile function was assessed by electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Penile tissues were obtained and evaluated at histology level. Results We found that ADSCs-iNOS had significantly higher expression of iNOS at mRNA and protein levels and generated more nitric oxide (NO). ADSCs-iNOS reduced collagen I and collagen IV expression of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) in cell co-culture model. Transforming growth factor-β1 expression in CCSMCs reduced following co-culture with ADSCs-iNOS. Injection of ADSCs-iNOS significantly ameliorated DMED in rats and decreased collagen/smooth muscle cell ratio of penile tissues. Moreover, elevated NO and cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations were detected in penile tissues of ADSCs-iNOS group. Conclusion Taken together, ADSCs-iNOS significantly improved erectile function of DMED rats. The therapeutic effect may be achieved by increased NO generation and the suppression of collagen I and collagen IV expression in the CCSMCs to decrease penile fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - Jun Yang
- 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
| | - Li Zhuan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Guanghui Zang
- Department of Urology, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou, Jiangsu, 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
| | - 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
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11
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Ismail EA, Younis SE, Ismail IY, El-Wazir YM, El-Sakka AI. Early administration of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors after induction of diabetes in a rat model may prevent erectile dysfunction. Andrology 2019; 8:241-248. [PMID: 31250549 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12668] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2019] [Revised: 05/18/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The possible role of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) in prevention of negative effect of diabetes mellitus (DM) on erectile function is not well settled. OBJECTIVES To investigate the effect of early administration of vardenafil on erectile function, cavernosal structure, and genes expression in a rat model of DM. MATERIALS AND METHODS This experimental study was carried out at Suez Canal University's research laboratory. This study was conducted on a total of 60 adult male Albino Wistar rats, aged 60-80 days and weighing an average of 200 g. Rats were equally divided into six groups of 10 rats each: Group I (sham); Group II (DM with no treatment); Groups III, IV, V, and VI received vardenafil started at day 1, week 4, week 8, and week 12 after induction of DM, respectively. Functional study assessment of all groups was performed before euthanization, and then tissues were harvested for histopathological, ultrastructural, and molecular examinations. RESULTS There was a significant difference of intracavernosal pressure between early (94 ± 2.18) and late (40.5 ± 1.94) treatment groups (p = 0.011). Histopathological and ultrastructural changes of DM with no treatment and late treatment groups showed distorted cavernous architecture and extensive fibrosis. There was significant difference of smooth muscle to collagen ratio between early and late treatment groups (p = 0.035). There was significant upregulation of nNOS(p = 0.021) and iNOS (p = 0.047) in early vs. late treatment group. The difference was insignificant in eNOS (p = 0.386) or TGF-β1(p = 0.149). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Early treated rats with vardenafil had preserved erection and normal cavernosal structure, ultrastructure and gene expression of iNOS, nNOS, eNOS, and TGF-β1. Quantification of gene expression would improve our knowledge regarding cytokines expression and molecular background of DM-associated ED. Clinical application of this result may encourage early administration of PDE5I to prevent deleterious effects of DM on erectile function in newly diagnosed DM patients with probable uncontrolled blood glucose.
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Affiliation(s)
- E A Ismail
- Department of Urology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - S E Younis
- Department of Clinical Pathology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - I Y Ismail
- Department of Urology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Y M El-Wazir
- Department of Physiology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - A I El-Sakka
- Department of Urology, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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12
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Rahardjo HE, Ückert S, Bannowsky A, Tsikas D, Becker AJ, Kuczyk MA. Course of transforming growth factor ß1 in the systemic and cavernous blood of healthy males through different penile conditions. Andrologia 2018; 51:e13150. [PMID: 30251438 DOI: 10.1111/and.13150] [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: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies on erectile dysfunction (ED) have revealed a relationship between smooth muscle atrophy and the accumulation of collagen in the corpus cavernosum (CC). Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF ß1) is a cytokine which has been proposed to be involved in the fibrotic process in the CC. We aimed to evaluate the course of TGF ß1 in the systemic and cavernous blood of 17 healthy males through different phases of the sexual arousal response (exemplified by the penile conditions flaccidity, tumescence, rigidity and detumescence). An enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to measure the concentration of TGF ß1 (ng/ml) in both the systemic and cavernous blood at the stages of flaccidity, tumescence and detumescence. TGF levels were significantly higher in the cavernous compartment than in the systemic blood. A linear decrease was evident in the cavernous blood when the flaccid penis became tumescent (24.3 ± 14.5 to 13.9 ± 6.5) and rigid (to 8.7 ± 3.1). At detumescence, TGF increased to 18.3 ± 10.4. In contrast, the levels in the systemic circulation remained unchanged. The results are in support of the hypothesis that the concentration of TGF ß1 in the CC is regulated by adequate blood flow and oxygenation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harrina E Rahardjo
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
| | - Stefan Ückert
- Division of Surgery, Department of Urology & Urological Oncology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | | | - Dimitrios Tsikas
- Center of Pharmacology & Toxicology, Core Unit Proteomics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Armin J Becker
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Markus A Kuczyk
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
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13
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Tao M, Tasdemir C, Tasdemir S, Shahabi A, Liu G. Penile alterations at early stage of type 1 diabetes in rats. Int Braz J Urol 2017; 43:753-761. [PMID: 28338308 PMCID: PMC5557453 DOI: 10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2016.0454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Diabetes affects the erectile function significantly. However, the penile alterations in the early stage of diabetes in experimental animal models have not been well studied. We examined the changes of the penis and its main erectile components in diabetic rats. Materials and methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups: streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetics and age-matched controls. Three or nine weeks after diabetes induction, the penis was removed for immunohistochemical staining of smooth muscle and neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in midshaft penile tissues. The cross-sectional areas of the whole midshaft penis and the corpora cavernosa were quantified. The smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa and nNOS in the dorsal nerves were quantified. Results The weight, but not the length, of the penis was lower in diabetics. The cross-sectional areas of the total midshaft penis and the corpora cavernosa were lower in diabetic rats compared with controls 9 weeks, but not 3 weeks after diabetes induction. The cross-sectional area of smooth muscle in the corpora cavernosa as percentage of the overall area of the corpora cavernosa was lower in diabetic rats than in controls 9 weeks, but not 3 weeks after diabetes induction. Percentage change of nNOS in dorsal nerves was similar at 3 weeks, and has a decreased trend at 9 weeks in diabetic rats compared with controls. Conclusions Diabetes causes temporal alterations in the penis, and the significant changes in STZ rat model begin 3-9 weeks after induction. Further studies on the reversibility of the observed changes are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingfang Tao
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Cemal Tasdemir
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Urology, Inonu University, Medical Faculty, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Seda Tasdemir
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Pharmacology, Inonu University, Medical Faculty, Malatya, Turkey
| | - Ali Shahabi
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Guiming Liu
- Department of Urology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH, USA.,Department of Surgery, MetroHealth Medical Center, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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14
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Ryu JK, Suh JK, Burnett AL. Research in pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction. Transl Androl Urol 2017; 6:207-215. [PMID: 28540228 PMCID: PMC5422707 DOI: 10.21037/tau.2016.11.17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Although oral phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors are generally accepted as an effective therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED), men with ED from diabetes or radical prostatectomy respond poorly to these drugs. Many researchers have tried to develop novel therapeutics that target alternative molecular pathways. A group of therapeutics belongs to centrally acting agents that target dopamine and melanocortin receptors. The other one is the peripherally acting agents that target soluble guanylate cyclase, Rho-kinase pathway, and Maxi-K channel, etc. Also, a variety of preclinical studies by the application of biotherapies in the concept of therapeutic angiogenesis or neural regeneration as well as anti-fibrosis to regenerate damaged erectile tissue have been reported. This article will address the current therapeutic targets for ED under clinical or preclinical development, including pharmacotherapy and biotherapy which comprises protein therapy and gene therapy. In spite of numerous clinical trials that target alternative pathways, these agents have yet to reach the market. The results from preclinical studies targeting therapeutic angiogenesis, neural regeneration, and anti-fibrosis are promising.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Kan Ryu
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 400-711, Korea
| | - Jun-Kyu Suh
- National Research Center for Sexual Medicine and Department of Urology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon 400-711, Korea
| | - Arthur L Burnett
- Department of Urology, The James Buchanan Brady Urological Institute, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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15
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Jovanović B, Pickup MW, Chytil A, Gorska AE, Johnson KC, Moses HL, Owens P. TβRIII Expression in Human Breast Cancer Stroma and the Role of Soluble TβRIII in Breast Cancer Associated Fibroblasts. Cancers (Basel) 2016; 8:E100. [PMID: 27827906 PMCID: PMC5126760 DOI: 10.3390/cancers8110100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2016] [Revised: 10/04/2016] [Accepted: 10/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The TGF-β pathway plays a major role in tumor progression through regulation of epithelial and stromal cell signaling. Dysfunction of the pathway can lead to carcinoma progression and metastasis. To gain insight into the stromal role of the TGF-β pathway in breast cancer, we performed laser capture microdissection (LCM) from breast cancer patients and reduction mammoplasty patients. Microdissected tumor stroma and normal breast stroma were examined for gene expression. Expression of the TGF-β type III receptor (TGFBR3) was greatly decreased in the tumor stroma compared to control healthy breast tissue. These results demonstrated a 44-fold decrease in TGFBR3 mRNA in tumor stroma in comparison to control tissue. We investigated publicly available databases, and have identified that TGFBR3 mRNA levels are decreased in tumor stroma. We next investigated fibroblast cell lines derived from cancerous and normal breast tissue and found that in addition to mRNA levels, TβRIII protein levels were significantly reduced. Having previously identified that cancer-associated fibroblasts secrete greater levels of tumor promoting cytokines, we investigated the consequences of soluble-TβRIII (sTβRIII) on fibroblasts. Fibroblast conditioned medium was analyzed for 102 human secreted cytokines and distinct changes in response to sTβRIII were observed. Next, we used the fibroblast-conditioned medium to stimulate human monocyte cell line THP-1. These results indicate a distinct transcriptional response depending on sTβRIII treatment and whether it was derived from normal or cancerous breast tissue. We conclude that the effect of TβRIII has distinct roles not only in cancer-associated fibroblasts but that sTβRIII has distinct paracrine functions in the tumor microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bojana Jovanović
- Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - Michael W Pickup
- Department of Bioengineering, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94117, USA.
| | - Anna Chytil
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Agnieszka E Gorska
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Kimberly C Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Harold L Moses
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
| | - Philip Owens
- Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
- Research Medicine, Veterans Affairs, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.
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16
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Li R, Cui K, Wang T, Wang S, Li X, Qiu J, Yu G, Liu J, Wen B, Rao K. Hyperlipidemia impairs erectile function in rats by causing cavernosal fibrosis. Andrologia 2016; 49. [PMID: 27619893 DOI: 10.1111/and.12693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- R. Li
- Department of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
- Institute of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
| | - K. Cui
- Department of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
- Institute of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
| | - T. Wang
- Department of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
- Institute of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
| | - S. Wang
- Department of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
- Institute of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
| | - X. Li
- Department of Urology; The Affiliated Shenzhen Baoan Hospital of The South Medical University; Shenzhen Guangdong China
| | - J. Qiu
- Department of Urology; The Affiliated Shenzhen Baoan Hospital of The South Medical University; Shenzhen Guangdong China
| | - G. Yu
- Department of Urology; The Affiliated Shenzhen Baoan Hospital of The South Medical University; Shenzhen Guangdong China
| | - J. Liu
- Department of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
- Institute of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
| | - B. Wen
- Department of Urology; The Affiliated Shenzhen Baoan Hospital of The South Medical University; Shenzhen Guangdong China
| | - K. Rao
- Department of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
- Institute of Urology; Tongji Medical College; Tongji Hospital; Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Wuhan Hubei China
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17
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Lee HS, Lee YJ, Chung YH, Lee MY, Kim ST, Ko SK, Momoi M, Kondoh Y, Sasaki F, Jeong JH. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng on penile erection. J Ginseng Res 2015; 40:334-343. [PMID: 27746685 PMCID: PMC5052409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgr.2015.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2015] [Revised: 10/21/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Progressed tissue culture techniques have allowed us to easily obtain mass products of tissue-cultured mountain ginseng over 100 yr old (TCMG-100). We investigated the effects of TCMG-100 extract on erectile function using in vitro and in vivo studies. Methods To examine the relaxation effects and mechanisms of action of TCMG-100 on rabbit cavernosal strips evaluated in an organ bath. To investigate the long-term treatment effect of TCMG-100, 8-wk administration was performed. After administration of TCMG-100, intracavernosal pressure, cyclic guanosine monophosphate and nitric oxide (NO) levels of cavernosal tissue, serum testosterone level, histological observation of collagen fiber, endothelium, smooth muscle cell, and transforming growth factor-β1 were investigated. Results TCMG-100 extract displayed dose-dependent relaxation effects on precontracted rabbit corporal smooth muscle. The TCMG-100-induced relaxation was significantly reduced by removing the endothelium, and treatment with an NO synthase inhibitor or NO scavenger. Eight weeks of TCMG-100 administration increased intracavernosal pressure in a rat model. The levels of cyclic guanosine monophosphate and NO in the corpus callosum and serum testosterone level were also increased by TCMG-100 treatment. Furthermore, histological evaluation of collagen, smooth muscle, and endothelium showed increases in endothelium and smooth muscle, and a decrease in transforming growth factor-β1 expression. Conclusion These relaxation effects on corporal smooth muscle and increased erectile function suggest that TCMG-100 might be used as an alternative herbal medicine to improve erectile function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ho Sung Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-ang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young Joo Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-ang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yoon Hee Chung
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Chung-ang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Moo Yeol Lee
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, Chung-ang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Tae Kim
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-ang University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sung Kwon Ko
- Department of Oriental Medical Food and Nutrition, Semyung University, Jecheon, Korea
| | | | | | | | - Ji Hoon Jeong
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Chung-ang University, Seoul, Korea
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18
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Liu T, Peng Y, Jia C, Fang X, Li J, Zhong W. Hepatocyte growth factor-modified adipose tissue-derived stem cells improve erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Growth Factors 2015; 33:282-9. [PMID: 26339935 DOI: 10.3109/08977194.2015.1077825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
TGFβ1-Smad signaling pathway is closely related to various tissues fibrosis. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been shown to antagonize TGFβ1-Smad signaling and may improve kidney tissue fibrosis in diabetic models. Penile fibrosis is a pathological condition which occurs during diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of the treatment of ED in diabetic rats with a combination of HGF and adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC). In this diabetes model, rats were injected intraperitoneally with 60 mg streptozotocin (STZ) to induce diabetes. Three months later, the diabetic rats were divided into a negative control(NC) group, an ADSC-treated group and an ADSC + HGF-treated group while normal rats were assigned into a sham group. Rats in the sham and NC groups were injected in the corpus cavernosum with phosphate-buffered saline, while rats in the other groups were injected with either ADSC or ADSC + HGF. One month later, erectile function was examined in each group and penile tissues were collected for experiments. The expression of smooth muscle actin (SMA) and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 (PECAM-1) was analyzed by Western blotting. The smooth muscle and collagen deposition in corpus cavernosum was evaluated by Masson staining, while endothelial changes were assessed immunohistochemically. Cell apoptosis was detected by the TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay. The results revealed that ADSC alone can significantly improve erectile function in diabetic rats, but in combination with HGF the improvement was more prominent, showing higher content of smooth muscle and endothelial cells and lower cell apoptotic index in corpus cavernosum. Treatment with HGF can significantly enhance the beneficial effect of ADSC on erectile function in diabetic rats, and this effect might be closely related to the down-regulation of TGFβ1-Smad signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Liu
- a Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College , Wuhu , China
| | - Yifeng Peng
- a Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College , Wuhu , China
| | - Chao Jia
- a Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College , Wuhu , China
| | - Xiang Fang
- a Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College , Wuhu , China
| | - Jing Li
- a Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College , Wuhu , China
| | - Wan Zhong
- a Yijishan Hospital of Wannan Medical College , Wuhu , China
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19
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Liu T, Peng YF, Jia C, Yang BH, Tao X, Fang X, Zhong W. Effect of HGF on the apoptosis of rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells induced by TGFβ1. Andrologia 2014; 47:1020-7. [PMID: 25385280 DOI: 10.1111/and.12372] [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] [Accepted: 09/05/2014] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) are important functional cells for penile erection. We evaluated the effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) on the viability and apoptosis of CCSMCs in vitro. CCSMCs from healthy male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into four groups: a negative control group, a TGFβ1 group, a HGF group and a HGF+ TGFβ1 group. Differences in cell viability and apoptosis among groups were observed by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the change of apoptosis-related proteins. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was detected by colorimetry. In the TGFβ1 group, the MTT values were obviously decreased at 12 h, 24 h, 48 h-0.320, 0.383 and 0.432 respectively. However, compared with the normal group, the apoptosis index was markedly increased, reaching 26.86% at the 48-h time point. After TGFβ1 treatment, the levels of cleaved caspase-3 and p-Smad2 were increased in the cells, but the levels of Bcl-xL, Bcl-2 and p-Akt were significantly lower. However, HGF co-treatment partially reversed these changes and could decrease the intracellular ROS level while increasing the Akt phosphorylation level. These results indicate that TGFβ1 might induce apoptosis of CCSMCs in vitro and that HGF could interfere with the above process through downregulation of apoptosis signalling and oxidative stress reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Liu
- Department of Sexual Medicine, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - Y-F Peng
- Department of Sexual Medicine, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - C Jia
- Department of Sexual Medicine, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - B-H Yang
- Department of Sexual Medicine, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - X Tao
- Department of Sexual Medicine, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - X Fang
- Department of Sexual Medicine, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | - W Zhong
- Department of Sexual Medicine, Yijishan Hospital, Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
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