title: Relaxation effects of adrenomedullin in isolated rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the pharmacological effects of adrenomedullin, a potent vasodilator and hypotensive peptide isolated from human phaeochromocytoma cells, on corpus cavernosal smooth muscle in vitro, as the intracavernosal injection of adrenomedullin induces penile erection in the anaesthetized cat.
  
  
  METHODS
  The effects of adrenomedullin were investigated in isolated muscle strips from New Zealand rabbit corpus cavernosum smooth muscle pre-contracted with phenylephrine alone, in the presence of indomethacin (cyclooxygenase inhibitor), Nomega-nitro l-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME, a nitric oxide synthase inhibitor), and K+-channel blockers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adrenomedullin caused relaxation of isolated pre-contracted rabbit corpus cavernosum strips in a concentration-dependent manner. The response of corpus cavernosum was unaffected L-NAME, indomethacin and K+-channel blockers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The relaxation exerted by adrenomedullin in rabbit corporal tissue may arise from the effect of the drug on its specific receptors and/or calcitonin gene-related peptide-1 receptors. The relaxant effect of adrenomedullin might lead to novel clinical applications for erectile dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey. ggokce@cumhuriyet.edu.tr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gokce
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bagcivan
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kilicarslan
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Y E
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Gultekin
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sarioglu
mesh_terms: D053607:Adrenomedullin; D000818:Animals; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects*; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects*; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011817:Rabbits; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D010455:Peptides; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D053607:Adrenomedullin; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester