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INTRODUCTION: Previous research in the field of cardiovascular diseases suggests a relaxing effect of testosterone (T) on smooth muscle cells. Therefore, it was hypothesized that T could play a significant role in erection development. AIM: To investigate the relaxing effect of T and other molecules of the T signaling pathway on human corpus cavernosum (HCC) tissue. METHODS: Samples of the HCC tissue were obtained from men who underwent penile prosthesis implantation (n = 33) for erectile dysfunction. Samples were used for isometric tension measurement in Ex Vivo experiments. Following standardized precontraction with phenylephrine, increasing doses of T or dihydrotestosterone were administered and blocked by NO/H2S synthesis inhibitors, a KATP blocker, and flutamide (androgen receptor inhibitor). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The outcome was relaxation of the HCC tissue, normalized to a maximum precontraction achieved by phenylephrine. RESULTS: A dose-dependent relaxing effect of dihydrotestosterone and T was observed with a relaxation of, respectively, 24.9% ± 23.4% (P < .0001) and 41.7% ± 19.1% (P = .01) compared with 6.8% ± 15.9% for vehicle (dimethylsulfoxide) at 300 µM. The relaxing effect of T was not countered by blocking NO synthesis, H2S synthesis, KATP channels, or the androgen receptor. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: By understanding the underlying mechanisms of T-induced HCC relaxation, potential new therapeutic targets can be identified. STRENGTHS & LIMITATIONS: The strength of the study is the use of fresh HCC tissues with reproducible results. The limitation is the need for supraphysiological T levels to induce the observed effect. CONCLUSION: Rapid androgen-induced relaxation of HCC is likely to occur via nongenomic mechanisms. Previously suggested mechanisms of action by which T modulates HCC relaxation have been excluded. Van den Broeck T, Soebadi MA, Falter A, et al. Testosterone Induces Relaxation of Human Corpus Cavernosum Tissue of Patients With Erectile Dysfunction. J Sex Med 2019; 8:114-119.
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Semen Cuscutae is a kidney-essence invigorating Chinese drug which is widely used in the clinic. In this study, the effects of the flavonoids extracted from Semen Cuscutae (FSC) on the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonads axis in animals was investigated. The results showed that FSC can increase the weight of uterus and promoted the cornification of vaginal epithelial cells in bilateral ovariectomized mice, which suggested that FSC may have estrogen-like activity. In normal female rats, it increased the weight of pituitary, ovary and uterus, but did not increase plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) level. The binding capacity of ovary to 125 I-HCG/LH receptor was significantly elevated the reactivity of luteinizing-releasing hormone (LRH) was increased, and the LRH-induced LH secretion was enhanced in ovariectomized rats. In immature male mice, FSC increased the weight of epididymis and testis, and stimulated HCG-induced secretion of testosterone in short-term cultured rat Leydig cells. It is suggested that FSC can improve the functions of reproductive and endocrine system.