The Effect of Alcohol Administration on the Corpus Cavernosum
The World Journal of Men's Health
; : 34-42, 2017.
Article
in En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-214131
Responsible library:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
PURPOSE:
We studied the effects of alcohol administration on the corpus cavernosum (CC) using an animal model. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
CC sections and the aortic ring of rabbits were used in an organ bath study. After acute alcohol administration, changes in blood alcohol concentration and electrical stimulation induced intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) percentage were compared in rats. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels in the CC were measured using immunoassays. After chronic alcohol administration, ICP/MAP percentage, cAMP and cGMP were compared in rats. Histological changes were examined using the Masson trichrome stain and the Sircol collagen assay. Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression was examined using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.RESULTS:
Alcohol relaxed the CC in a dose-dependent manner, and the relaxation response was suppressed when pretreated with propranolol, indomethacin, glibenclamide, and 4-aminopyridine. In rats with acute alcohol exposure, the cAMP level in the CC was significantly greater than was observed in the control group (p<0.05). In rats with chronic alcohol exposure, however, changes in cAMP and cGMP levels were insignificant, and the CC showed markedly smaller areas of smooth muscle, greater amounts of dense collagen (p<0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis of eNOS showed a less intense response, and western blotting showed that eNOS expression was significantly lower in this group (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONS:
Acute alcohol administration activated the cAMP pathway with positive effects on erectile function. In contrast, chronic alcohol administration changed the ultrastructures of the CC and suppressed eNOS expression, thereby leading to erectile dysfunction.Key words
Full text:
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Index:
WPRIM
Main subject:
Propranolol
/
Relaxation
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Baths
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Penile Erection
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Immunoassay
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Immunohistochemistry
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4-Aminopyridine
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Adenosine Monophosphate
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Indomethacin
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Blotting, Western
Limits:
Animals
Language:
En
Journal:
The World Journal of Men's Health
Year:
2017
Type:
Article