Growth factor therapy and neuronal nitric oxide synthase.
Trauma to the cavernous nerve is a known cause of erectile dysfunction, with lengthy and often incomplete recovery. Using rat models, we have previously shown that injury to the cavernous nerves or ligation of pudendal arteries causes a significant decrease of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the dorsal nerve of the penis and intracavernosal tissue as well as loss of erectile response to neurostimulation. Intracavernous injection of vascular endothelial growth factor or brain-derived neurotrophic factor facilitates the recovery of nNOS and erectile function. Studies are underway to elucidate the molecular mechanism of cavernous nerve regeneration and the potential of using growth factors to enhance the recovery of erectile function in patients after radical pelvic surgery. International Journal of Impotence Research (2004) 16, S38-S39. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901214
Lin
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Department of Urology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143-0738, USA.
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D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration / Q000187:drug effects; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000378:metabolism*; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000294:innervation*; D051381:Rats; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000008:administration & dosage
D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D006133:Growth Substances; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I; C496322:Nos1 protein, rat