The investigation of putative agents, using an in vitro model, to prevent cavernosal smooth muscle dysfunction during low-flow priapism.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of putative agents for preventing irreversible smooth muscle dysfunction, using an in vitro model of low-flow priapism (a condition conventionally managed using a combination of corporal blood aspiration and instillation of alpha-adrenergic agonists), as failure of detumescence results in a high incidence of erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
We investigated the effects of several agents (N-acetylcysteine, BayK 8644, glutathione, digoxin, calcium and N(omega)-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester) on the recovery of smooth muscle tone after exposure to 4 h of a combination of hypoxia, glucopenia and acidosis in corpus cavernosum isolated from rabbit.


RESULTS
After 4 h of ischaemia, none of the agents were able to prevent irreversible smooth muscle dysfunction.


CONCLUSIONS
Prolonged low-flow priapism leads to smooth muscle dysfunction and fibrosis within the corpus cavernosum. When alpha-adrenergic agents fail to reverse the condition, surgical intervention is required. We showed that the administration of novel agents, including antioxidants, does not prevent smooth muscle dysfunction.
Muneer
Asif
A
Wolfson Institute for Biomedical Research, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK. asif@amuneer.co.uk
Cellek
Selim
S
Ralph
David J
DJ
Minhas
Suks
S
D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D000111:Acetylcysteine / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D004077:Digoxin / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009126:Muscle Relaxation / Q000187:drug effects; D009129:Muscle Tonus / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009135:Muscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester / Q000494:pharmacology; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011317:Priapism / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011817:Rabbits
D001498:3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethyl-5-nitro-4-(2-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-, Methyl ester; D004077:Digoxin; D005978:Glutathione; D002118:Calcium; D019331:NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester; D000111:Acetylcysteine