Phenotype-specific down-regulation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors in the pelvic ganglia of castrated rats: implications for neurogenic erectile dysfunction.
Neurosci Lett
; 501(1): 55-9, 2011 Aug 21.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21782342
ABSTRACT
Pelvic ganglia (PG) play critical roles in relaying sympathetic and parasympathetic information from the spinal cord to the penile vasculature and, controlling the penile reflex. Animal studies have shown that androgen deprivation by castration causes erectile dysfunction (ED). Until now, however, neural mechanisms underlying castration-induced ED remain unclear. Therefore, we examined whether androgen deprivation down-regulates nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs), which mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the PG. Toward this end, neurogenic ED was demonstrated by measuring the intracavernous pressure in castrated rats. Real-time PCR analysis revealed that the transcripts encoding nAchR α3/α5/ß4 subunits were significantly down-regulated in the PG neurons. In addition, down-regulation of the nAchR subunits was reversed by replacement of testosterone. Patch-clamp experiments showed that the nAchR currents were selectively attenuated in the parasympathetic PG neurons innervating the penile vasculature, activation of which elicits penile erection. Taken together, our data suggest that phenotype-specific down-regulation of nAchRs in the PG neurons may contribute to the neurogenic ED in castrated rats.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Pelve
/
Ereção Peniana
/
Regulação para Baixo
/
Receptores Nicotínicos
/
Gânglios Parassimpáticos
/
Gânglios Simpáticos
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article