title: Effects of NCX 4050, a new NO donor, in rabbit and human corpus cavernosum.
abstract: The effects of NCX 4050, a drug belonging to a new class of NO donors, was investigated in isolated preparations of human and rabbit corpus cavernosum (CC) and in human foetal corpora cavernosa (hfCC) smooth muscle cells. In strips of rabbit CC, NCX 4050 (0.001-100 microM) induced a concentration-dependent relaxation which was influenced neither by Nw-nitro-l-arginine-methyl-ester (l-NAME; 100 microm) nor by endothelium deprivation. The NCX 4050-induced relaxation was significantly reduced by the guanylate cyclase inhibitor 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ; 1 microm) and enhanced by a specific phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, sildenafil (300 nm). Moreover, NCX 4050 (0.01-1 microm), induced a concentration-dependent potentiation of the relaxant response induced by electrical field stimulation (EFS) in rabbit preparations pre-treated with guanethidine and indomethacin. The relaxant effect of NCX 4050 was similar to that obtained by increasing concentrations (0.001-100 microm) of sodium nitroprusside (SNP) in either rabbit or human preparations. To further investigate the activity of NCX 4050 on human corpora cavernosa, we exposed cultured hfCC smooth muscle cells to increasing concentrations of NCX 4050 and SNP. We found that both compounds dose-dependently reduced cell proliferation. The antiproliferative effect of all the concentration tested of NCX 4050 was completely blocked by ODQ (1 microm). These results suggest that in rabbit and human corpora cavernosa NCX 4050 acts by activating guanylate cyclase activity, induces smooth muscle relaxation and quiescence. Our results provide a rationale for a possible future use of NCX 4050 in the pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction linked to an impaired release of NO from the endothelium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Preclinical and Clinical Pharmacology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Filippi
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Crescioli
authors.forename: G B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Vannelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fazzini
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Natali
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Riffaud
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maggi
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ledda
mesh_terms: D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D000818:Animals; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000494:pharmacology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors / Q000494:pharmacology*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism; D010069:Oxadiazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D010410:Penile Erection; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011687:Purines; D011810:Quinoxalines / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones
chemical_list: C095284:1H-(1,2,4)oxadiazolo(4,3-a)quinoxalin-1-one; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D020030:Nitric Oxide Donors; D010069:Oxadiazoles; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D011810:Quinoxalines; D013450:Sulfones; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; C517381:PDE5A protein, human; D006162:Guanylate Cyclase