RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE@#This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mindfulness-based psychosomatic intervention on depression, anxiety, fear of childbirth (FOC), and life satisfaction of pregnant women in China.@*METHODS@#Women experiencing first-time pregnancy ( n = 104) were randomly allocated to the intervention group or a parallel active control group. We collected data at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), 3 days after delivery (T2), and 42 days after delivery (T3). The participants completed questionnaires for the assessment of the levels of depression, anxiety, FOC, life satisfaction, and mindfulness. Differences between the two groups and changes within the same group were analyzed at four time points using repeated-measures analysis of variance.@*RESULTS@#Compared with the active control group, the intervention group reported lower depression levels at T2 ( P = 0.038) and T3 ( P = 0.013); reduced anxiety at T1 ( P = 0.001) and T2 ( P = 0.003); reduced FOC at T1 ( P < 0.001) and T2 ( P = 0.04); increased life satisfaction at T1 ( P < 0.001) and T3 ( P = 0.015); and increased mindfulness at T1 ( P = 0.01) and T2 ( P = 0.006).@*CONCLUSION@#The mindfulness-based psychosomatic intervention effectively increased life satisfaction and reduced perinatal depression, anxiety, and FOC.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Embarazo , Femenino , Salud Mental , Atención Plena , Mujeres Embarazadas/psicología , Ansiedad/prevención & control , China , Depresión/prevención & controlRESUMEN
Objective:To develop a patient-reported outcomes (PRO) scale for post-stroke aphasia based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) holism. Methods:Referring to the TCM holism, the theoretical model was established following the standard process for the development of the PRO scale. An item pool was established and optimized with case review, patient interview, expert questionnaire survey and consensus conference. The PRO scale was established finally. Results:A pool of post-stroke aphasia items based on the holistic view of TCM was constructed in the physical, psychological and social model. The Expert Comment Form for the PRO Scale for Aphasia after Stroke was formed after sorting out the item pool. After expert surveys and meeting discussion, 40 items were finally selected to form the first version of Patient-reported Outcomes Scale for Post-stroke Aphasia-TCM. Conclusion:The first version of Patient-reported Outcomes Scale for Post-stroke Aphasia-TCM has been developed based on the TCM holism and the concept of PRO, which can be evaluated clinically.
RESUMEN
The aim of this paper was to explore the key genes and pathogenesis of ischemic stroke(IS) by bioinformatics, and predict the potential traditional Chinese medicines for IS. Based on the gene-chip raw data set of GSE22255 from National Center of Biotechnology Information(NCBI), the article enrolled in 20 patients with ischemic stroke and 20 sex-and age-matched controls, and differentially expressed genes(DEGs) were screened based on R language software. The DAVID tool and R language software were used to perform gene ontology(GO) biological process enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and gnomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis. The DEGs were imported into STRING to construct a protein-protein interaction network, and the Molecular Complexity Module(MCODE) plug-in of Cytoscape software was used to visualize and analyze the key functional modules. Moreover, the core genes and the medical ontology information retrieval platform(Coremine Medical) were mapped to each other to screen the traditional Chinese medicines and construct drug-active ingredient-target network. Compared with healthy controls, 14 DEGs were obtained, of which 12 genes were up-regulated and 2 genes were down-regulated. DEGs were mainly involved in immune response, inflammatory process, signal transduction, and cell proliferation regulation. The interleukin-17(IL-17), nuclear factor kappaB(NF-κB), tumor necrosis factor(TNF), nucleotide binding oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor and other signaling pathways were involved in KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. The key modules of the DEGs-encoding protein interaction network mainly focused on 7 genes of TNF, JUN, recombinant immediate early response 3(IER3), recombinant early growth response protein 1(EGR1), prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8(CXCL8) and C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2(CXCL2), which were involved in biological processes widely such as neuroinflammation and immunity. TNF and JUN were the key nodes in this module, which might become potential biological markers for diagnosis and prognosis evaluation of IS. The potential traditional Chinese medicines for the treatment of IS includes Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Croci Stigma, Scutellariae Radix, and Cannabis Fructus. The occurrence of stroke was the result of multiple factors. Dysregulation of genes and pathways related to immune regulation and inflammation may be the key link for the development of IS. This study provided research direction and theoretical basis for further exploring the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of IS and searching for potential drug targets.
Asunto(s)
Humanos , Isquemia Encefálica , China , Biología Computacional , Perfilación de la Expresión Génica , Accidente Cerebrovascular Isquémico , Medicina Tradicional China , Accidente Cerebrovascular/genéticaRESUMEN
Object:To analyze the effect of muscular tension injury in spasticity of cerebral apoplexy(SCA) rats with spasticity and the expression of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor (GABAα), γ-aminobutyric acid transporter (GAT-1) protein and mRNA expression in cerebral cortex modified Shaoyao Gancaotang, electroacupuncture Quchi, Yanglingquan and acupuncture combined with herb therapies alleviate the effect of SCA. Method:Randomly divided into two groups, divided into blank group, sham operation group, model group, modified Shaoyao Gancaotang group, acupuncture combined with herb group, electroacupuncture group, selected qualified SD rats into the group, 9 rats in each group. The modified Zea-Longa thread embolism method+internal capsule injection of NMDA receptor method was used to prepare a rat model. After the behavioral score confirms the success of the model,dispose of each group separately,electroacupuncture group (electroacupuncture on both sides of Yangling Spring and Quchi,1 time/d for 5 days), modified Shaoyao Gancaotang group (with Shaoyao Gancaotang 1 time/d,10 mL·kg-1 for 5 days),acupuncture combined with herb (modified Shaoyao Gancaotang was given, then electroacupuncture treatment was continued for 5 days). After treatment, the muscle tension was detected by behavioral analysis. Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR(Real-time PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expression of GABAα and GAT-1 related mRNA and protein in the cortex. Result:Compared with normal group, the muscle tension of the model group increased (P<0.01), the expression of GABAα mRNA and protein decreased (P<0.01), and the expression of GAT-1 mRNA and protein increased (P<0.01), compared with model group, the muscle tone score of the each treatment group decreased (P<0.05), the expression of GABAα mRNA and protein increased (P<0.05,P<0.01), and the expression of GAT-1 mRNA and protein decreased (P<0.05,P<0.01), of which the corresponding expression in the acupuncture combined with herb group was the most significant. Conclusion:Electroacupuncture Quchi, Yanglingquan,modified Shaoyao Gancaotang and acupuncture combined with three therapies can alleviate the muscle tension of limbs spasm of stroke,and the combination of acupuncture and medicine treatment on the cortical γ-aminobutyric acid receptor the highest expression efficiency suggests that it has the best effect on improving the excitatory spasticity of stroke limbs.
RESUMEN
Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is an electron acceptor for sulfide-quinone reductase (SQR), the first enzyme of the hydrogen sulfide oxidation pathway. Here, we show that lack of CoQ in human skin fibroblasts causes impairment of hydrogen sulfide oxidation, proportional to the residual levels of CoQ. Biochemical and molecular abnormalities are rescued by CoQ supplementation in vitro and recapitulated by pharmacological inhibition of CoQ biosynthesis in skin fibroblasts and ADCK3 depletion in HeLa cells. Kidneys of Pdss2kd/kd mice, which only have ~15% residual CoQ concentrations and are clinically affected, showed (i) reduced protein levels of SQR and downstream enzymes, (ii) accumulation of hydrogen sulfides, and (iii) glutathione depletion. These abnormalities were not present in brain, which maintains ~30% residual CoQ and is clinically unaffected. In Pdss2kd/kd mice, we also observed low levels of plasma and urine thiosulfate and increased blood C4-C6 acylcarnitines. We propose that impairment of the sulfide oxidation pathway induced by decreased levels of CoQ causes accumulation of sulfides and consequent inhibition of short-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase and glutathione depletion, which contributes to increased oxidative stress and kidney failure.
Asunto(s)
Ataxia/fisiopatología , Enfermedades Mitocondriales/fisiopatología , Debilidad Muscular/fisiopatología , Sulfuros/metabolismo , Ubiquinona/deficiencia , Transferasas Alquil y Aril/deficiencia , Animales , Células Cultivadas , Fibroblastos/metabolismo , Humanos , Ratones , Ratones Noqueados , Oxidación-Reducción , Quinona Reductasas/análisisRESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the application value of colonic transit test (CTT) combined with anorectal manometry (ARM), barium enema (BE) and defecography (DFG) in accurately evaluating colonic lesions of slow transit constipation complicated with adult megacolon.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Clinical data of 47 above patients admitted between October 2007 and February 2015 in the People's Hospital of Hunan Province were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were examined with≥2 times of CTT combined with ARM and BE, and 42 cases received additional DFG at the same time, to evaluate colonic lesions before operation. Operative biopsy pathology was used as the standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value(PPV) and negative predictive value(NPV) of positioning in the ascending colon and caecum, transverse colon and descending colon were calculated, and the consistency was represented by Kappa test(Kappa value≥0.75 indicates good consistency, meanwhile higher Kappa value indicates better consistency). The Heikkinen score was used to evaluate defecation function at postoperative 6 months.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The age of 47 patients was from 18 to 56 years old. Compared with intraoperative findings and biopsy pathology, the diagnostic coincidence rate was 89.4% by CTT combined with BE and DFG positioning, which suggested pathology-changed colonic segment locating in the ascending colon and cecum (n=12), transverse colon (n=26) and descending colon (n=9), while intraoperative findings and biopsy pathology suggested pathology-changed colonic segment locating in the ascending colon and cecum (n=11), transverse colon (n=23) and descending colon (n=13). The sensitivity was 88.3%, specificity 93.5%, PPV 92.1%, NPV 94.9% and Kappa value was 0.827(P<0.001). Procedures performed included segmental colectomy (n=8), subtotal colectomy (n=29), total colectomy (n=10). There was no serious complication during and after operation. Defecatory function was excellent in 24 cases (60.0%), good in 10 (25.0%), and moderate in 6 (15.0%) evaluated by Heikkinen score at postoperative 6 months. A total of 40 patients were followed up from 1 to 7 years (median 3 years) and there was no long-term diarrhea and recurrence of constipation or giant colon after operation.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Preoperative detection of CTT combined with ARM, BE and DFG in patients with slow transit constipation complicated with adult megacolon can make a more precise assessment of the extent of colonic lesions in advance, which has a good clinical predictive value.</p>
Asunto(s)
Adolescente , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Enema Opaco , Ciego , Patología , Cirugía General , Colectomía , Métodos , Colon , Patología , Cirugía General , Estreñimiento , Diagnóstico , Patología , Cirugía General , Defecografía , Tránsito Gastrointestinal , Fisiología , Manometría , Megacolon , Patología , Cirugía General , Valor Predictivo de las Pruebas , Periodo Preoperatorio , Pronóstico , Recuperación de la Función , Fisiología , Estudios Retrospectivos , Sensibilidad y EspecificidadRESUMEN
Rhynchosia volubilis Lour has been a major drug in a folk prescription for contraception in China, whereas its mechanism remains unknown. Its antifertility effects on male mice and antimicrobial activities on sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens were previously reported. This study was undertaken to develop the n-Butanol extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour (BERVL) as a spermicidal agent with STI prevention. The spermicidal activities of BERVL with different doses were assessed using selected high-motile sperms of normal human semen samples, and their inhibitory effects on Lactobacillus acidophilus were determined. The mechanism of the spermicidal activity was explored by aqueous Eosin Y and Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The results showed spermicidal activities and inhibitory effects of BERVL on Lactobacillus acidophilus were dose-dependent. Dose of 90 mg/mL BERVL terminated all progressive sperm motility within 2 min, and had slight inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus, suggesting it was an effective and safe dose for contraception use. About 80% sperms exposed to BERVL displayed changes consistent with high permeability of head membrane. It is concluded that BERVL as spermicide has advantages over N-9 with strong ability to instantaneously kill human sperm and possesses light inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Asunto(s)
Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , Adulto Joven , 1-Butanol , Química , Relación Dosis-Respuesta a Droga , Fabaceae , Química , Lactobacillus acidophilus , Extractos Vegetales , Química , Farmacología , Motilidad Espermática , Espermicidas , Química , Farmacología , Espermatozoides , FisiologíaRESUMEN
Rhynchosia volubilis Lour has been a major drug in a folk prescription for contraception in China, whereas its mechanism remains unknown. Its antifertility effects on male mice and antimicrobial activities on sexually transmitted infection (STI) pathogens were previously reported. This study was undertaken to develop the n-Butanol extract of Rhynchosia volubilis Lour (BERVL) as a spermicidal agent with STI prevention. The spermicidal activities of BERVL with different doses were assessed using selected high-motile sperms of normal human semen samples, and their inhibitory effects on Lactobacillus acidophilus were determined. The mechanism of the spermicidal activity was explored by aqueous Eosin Y and Hoechst 33342/PI staining. The results showed spermicidal activities and inhibitory effects of BERVL on Lactobacillus acidophilus were dose-dependent. Dose of 90 mg/mL BERVL terminated all progressive sperm motility within 2 min, and had slight inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus, suggesting it was an effective and safe dose for contraception use. About 80% sperms exposed to BERVL displayed changes consistent with high permeability of head membrane. It is concluded that BERVL as spermicide has advantages over N-9 with strong ability to instantaneously kill human sperm and possesses light inhibitory effect on Lactobacillus acidophilus.
RESUMEN
Objective To analyze the relationship among the general self-efficacy,self-esteem and professional identification of nursing baccalaureate students and to provide some suggestions for educational practice. Methods A total of 403 nursing baccalaureate students in traditional Chinese medicine colleges were recruited. They were investigated with general self-efficacy scale (GSES), Rosenberg self-esteem scale(SES)and questionnaire for baccalaureate nursing students (QBNS). The relationship among general self-efficacy,self-esteem and professional identification was analyzed by multiple stepwise regression analysis. Results The mean score of general self-efficacy was 23.81± 5.27. There were significant differences in the score of general self-efficacy among different grades and enrollment methods (P<0.01). The nursing students,general self-efficacy was positively correlated with self-esteem,professional identification,professional emotion and professional skills(r=0.11-0.50, P<0.05). Conclusions Nursing educator should pay attention to the cultivation of self-esteem and professional identity in the training of nursing student in order to improve the self-efficacy of nursing students.
RESUMEN
AIM@#To establish and apply a new LC/MS/MS method for the simultaneous, quantitative determination of six ingredients, aucubin (AU), geniposide (GP), geniposidic acid (GPA), pinoresinol diglucoside (PDG), secologanin (SLG), and loganin (LG) in single and combined extracts of Eucommia ulmoides and Dipsacus asperoides.@*METHOD@#Using the LC/MS/MS-ESI(-)-MRM mode to detect the six compounds, chromatographic separation was achieved on an Agilent Eclipse plus C18 column, and the mobile phase consisted of solvent A (CH3CN) and solvent B (H2O containing 0.01% CH3COOH V/V).@*RESULTS@#This method was successfully applied to quantify the six compounds in rat plasma after oral administration, and showed good precision, accuracy, reproducibility, and linear regression (r(2)>0.99).@*CONCLUSION@#The results showed that following the use of the two medicinal plants, for AU and GP, the values of Cmax markedly increased, and the values of cmax markedly decreased. It was found that the compatibility of the medicinal plants might affect their pharmacokinetic properties of their constituents.
Asunto(s)
Animales , Femenino , Cromatografía Líquida de Alta Presión , Métodos , Dipsacaceae , Química , Combinación de Medicamentos , Eucommiaceae , Química , Glucósidos Iridoides , Sangre , Farmacocinética , Iridoides , Sangre , Farmacocinética , Lignanos , Sangre , Farmacocinética , Extractos Vegetales , Sangre , Química , Farmacocinética , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Espectrometría de Masas en Tándem , MétodosRESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Bushen Qianggu decoction proliferation and PCNA and Bcl-2 expression.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Serum containing BQD was made and synovial fibroblasts were separated and cultured and passaged in vitro. Four groups were divided as 20% blank control group, serum containing 20% Tripterygium wilfordii multi-glycosides drug (TWMD), 20% of serum containing high and low of BQD, respectively. Serum containing drugs of different concentration were added into the synovial fibroblasts of the third generation, and then the synovial fibroblasts were cultured continued. The effects of different drugs on synovial fibroblasts and PCNA and Bcl-2 expression were observed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control serum, BQD-containing serum promoted the apoptosis of synovial fibroblasts (P < 0.000 1); especially, high dose could inhibit proliferation. The expression of PCNA and Bcl-2 was significantly lower in BQD-containing serum (P < 0.000 1 vs control group).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>BQD can promote the apoptosis of synovial fibroblasts by improving of expression of PCNA and Bcl-2, which may be one of the mechanisms of BQD in preventing and treating osteoporosis of rheumatoid arthritis.</p>
Asunto(s)
Animales , Femenino , Ratas , Apoptosis , Proliferación Celular , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos , Farmacología , Fibroblastos , Fisiología , Antígeno Nuclear de Célula en Proliferación , Proteínas Proto-Oncogénicas c-bcl-2 , Ratas Wistar , Membrana Sinovial , Química , Biología CelularRESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the efficacy of compound ciprofloxacin suppository (CCS) combined with Ningbitai (NBT) and Yunnan Baiyao (YB) capsules in the treatment of histological prostatitis with elevated levels of PSA.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 150 cases of type IIIA histological prostatitis, with PSA levels ranging from 4 to 50 microg/L. After 1 month's treatment with oral Levofloxacin tablets at 0.5 g qd, the PSA levels remained high in 86 patients. Prostate cancer was excluded by transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy, and histological prostatitis was confirmed in 65 patients, who were assigned to an experimental group (n=45) and a control group (n=20) to receive CCS combined with NBT and YB capsules and CCS with NBT only, respectively, both for 4 weeks. We determined the PSA levels, obtained NIH-CPSI scores before and after medication, and compared them between the two groups.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The two groups were well balanced in demographics and baseline characteristics. After treatment, both showed significant differences in the PSA level, PSA density (PSAD) and CPSI scores from the baseline (P<0.05), and there were also statistically significant differences between the two groups in the changes of the PSA level and CPSI scores after medication (P = 0.029 and 0.001).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Compound ciprofloxacin suppository combined with Ningbitai and Yunnan Baiyao capsules can significantly decrease the level of serum PSA and relieve related symptoms in III A histological prostatitis with PSA elevation, and Yunnan Baiyao capsules can significantly enhance the therapeutic effect.</p>
Asunto(s)
Adulto , Anciano , Anciano de 80 o más Años , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Ciprofloxacina , Usos Terapéuticos , Quimioterapia Combinada , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos , Usos Terapéuticos , Fitoterapia , Antígeno Prostático Específico , Sangre , Prostatitis , Sangre , Quimioterapia , Patología , Supositorios , Usos TerapéuticosRESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the postoperative depths of the coagulation zones and pathological changes between bipolar transurethral resection of the prostate with plasmakinetic energy (PKRP) and monopolar transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) in canines.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five male dogs were randomly divided into a PKRP group (n = 12), a TURP group (n = 12) and a sham-operation control group (n = 1). The dogs were sacrificed, their prostates harvested at 0 week (immediately after surgery), 1 week, 2 weeks and 8 weeks postoperatively and sectioned for pathologic analysis and measurement of the coagulation zones.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 0, 1 and 2 weeks after the operation, the coagulation depths were (237.73 +/- 20.12) microm, (113.03 +/- 16.65) microm and (106.01 +/- 16.36) microm in the PKRP group, and (200.75 +/-19.34) microm, (129.46 +/- 17.81) microm and (116.04 +/- 25.67) microm in the TURP group (P < 0.01). At 8 weeks, the coagulation zones completely peeled off and the wounds were covered by regenerated urothelial in both of the groups. At 0, 1, 2 and 8 weeks, different inflammatory reactions were observed in the prostates of the PKRP and TURP groups, with some glandular lumens beneath the coagulation zones expanded and epithelia damaged. However, none of these phenomena occurred in the sham-operation control group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pathologically, PKRP and TURP inflicted basically similar effects on the prostate of the canine. However, the coagulation zone was deeper intraoperatively and became thinner postoperatively with the former than with the latter, which suggests that PKRP causes less bleeding and less penetrative thermal damage than TURP.</p>
Asunto(s)
Animales , Perros , Masculino , Electrocoagulación , Electrocirugia , Próstata , Patología , Cirugía General , Resección Transuretral de la Próstata , MétodosRESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of Gukang on bone-source alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) in serum of spaying rats and the mechanism of curative effect of Gukang on osteoporosis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty-eight 6-month-old SD rats were chosen and randomly divided into blank control group (22 rats with sham operation) and operation group (46 rats with spaying operation). Three months after operation, 10 rats were randomly chosen from each group and tested with bone mineral density in order to determine models of osteoporosis made. After modeling, operation group was divided into 3 sub-groups: operation model group, estrogen group and Gukang group, 12 rars in each group. Twelve rats remained in blank control group. Every group were treated through intragastric administration therapy (volume 10 ml/kg). Blank control group and operation model group were irrigated with distilled water,estrogen group with estrogen and Gukang group with Gukang. Three months after treatment, serum of all groups were collected and tested for E2, BALP and IGF-1 with ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The concentration of serum E2, BALP in estrogen group and Gukang group were higher than operation model group, there were significant difference (P < 0.05), but no significant difference in serum E2 between estrogen group and Gukang group (P > 0.05). The concentration of serum IGF-1 in Gukang group was higher than operation model group and blank control group, there were significant difference (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gukang can increase the level of E2, BALP and IGF-1 in serum of spaying rats. Thus, it can indirectly promote reproduction of osteoblasts, inhibit activity of osteoclasts and promote bone formation.</p>
Asunto(s)
Animales , Femenino , Humanos , Ratas , Fosfatasa Alcalina , Sangre , Densidad Ósea , Medicamentos Herbarios Chinos , Farmacología , Estrógenos , Sangre , Factor I del Crecimiento Similar a la Insulina , Metabolismo , Osteoporosis , Quimioterapia , Metabolismo , Distribución Aleatoria , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Esterilización ReproductivaRESUMEN
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of FK506 on the cavernous nerve regeneration after injury and to discuss its possible action mechanisms.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into three groups: Group 1 (sham control), Group 2 (unilateral cavernous nerve ablation), and Group 3 (unilateral cavernous nerve ablation with subsequent injection of FK506). Electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve was performed at 1 and 3 months after surgical injury. The intracavernous pressure was continuously detected and the rats were followed by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate diaphorase (NADPH-d) staining to identify NOS in the penile nerve fibers of the penile shaft.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>At 1 month, the number of NOS-positive nerve fibers significantly decreased with no statistical difference among the three groups except the sham controls (P > 0.05). At 3 months, electrostimulation revealed greater maximal intracavernous pressure in Group 3 than in Group 2 (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the number of NOS-positive nerve fibers showed a significant increase (P < 0.01), but not in Group 2 (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>FK506 injection enhances the regeneration of cavernous nerves after injury and the recovery of erectile function in rats.</p>