title: Inhibition of the tonic contraction in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
abstract: Erectile dysfunction (ED) reduces the quality of life. It is estimated that 52% of men have some degree of ED, which is associated with ageing. While it is clear that there are a variety of current treatment options for ED, each of these has drawbacks and contraindications. A better understanding of the physiological mechanisms involved in penile erection will provide new ways to treat ED. This review not only focuses on the vasoconstrictors and vasodilators that control the state of contraction and relaxation of the corpora cavernosa smooth muscle, but also presents a novel Ca(2+)-sensitising pathway that contributes to maintaining the penis in the non-erect state. Studies have shown that inhibition of the RhoA/Rho-kinase signalling pathway induces penile erection. Further understanding of this RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway may provide a novel alternative treatment for ED.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia 30912-3000, USA. ljin@mail.mcg.edu
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: A Elizabeth
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Linder
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.forename: R Clinton
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Webb
mesh_terms: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology; D020013:Calcium Signaling / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000502:physiology; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000502:physiology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000502:physiology; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000502:physiology; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000322:Adrenergic Agonists; D000577:Amides; D019332:Endothelin-1; D047908:Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D011725:Pyridines; D000804:Angiotensin II; C108830:Y 27632; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases; D020742:rhoA GTP-Binding Protein