[Effect of berberine on the mRNA expression of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in rat corpus cavernosum].
OBJECTIVE
To further investigate the action mechanisms of berberine (Ber) and to assess the effects of Ber on the mRNA expression of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in rat corpus cavernosum.


METHODS
After incubating with Ber for 1 or 3 h respectively, we examined the levels of PDE5 mRNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).


RESULTS
There were PDE5A1 and PDE5A2 mRNA expressions in the rat corpus cavernosum with PDE5A2 as the dominant isoform. Ber could obviously inhibit the mRNA expression of the two isoforms in the rat penis and bring on a pronounced decrease in PDE5A2 (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The present study indicates that the inhibitory effect of Ber on PDE5 mRNA expression, especially on PDE5A2, might account for its molecular mechanism for treating ED.
Tan
Yan
Y
Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
Tang
Qiang
Q
Hu
Benrong
B
Xiang
Jizhou
J
D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001599:Berberine; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; C517384:Pde5a protein, rat