Corporal reactivity to adenosine and prostaglandin E1 in alloxan-induced diabetic rabbit corpus cavernosum, and the effect of insulin therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the changes in corporal reactivity to adenosine and prostaglandin E1 (PGE1 ) in corpus cavernosal strips from alloxan-induced diabetic rabbits and to determine the effects of insulin therapy.


METHODS
Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were studied in three equal groups: group 1, control; group 2, diabetes induced by the administration of alloxan hydrochloride intravenously; group 3, as group 2 but with insulin administered after the induction of diabetes. At the end of 8 weeks, the reactivity of corpus cavernosal strips from the animals was assessed in organ chambers.


RESULTS
The relaxation responses of corpus cavernosal strips to adenosine were similar in all groups, but the response to PGE1 was impaired in groups 2 and 3 compared with that in controls.


CONCLUSIONS
If vasoactive drugs are to be used for the diagnosis or treatment of diabetic erectile impotence, direct-acting vasodilators, e.g. adenosine, must be used. In alloxan-induced diabetes, the corporal reactivity to PGE1 was impaired and insulin therapy did not restore the relaxation responses.
Ayan
S
S
Department of Urology, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey.
Yildirim
S
S
Uçar
C
C
Sarioglu
Y
Y
Gültekin
Y
Y
Bütüner
C
C
D000241:Adenosine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000496:Alloxan; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000188:drug therapy; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011817:Rabbits; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
D007328:Insulin; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000496:Alloxan; D000527:Alprostadil; D000241:Adenosine