[Expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in corpus cavernosum with diabetic erectile dysfunction: experiment with rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression characteristics of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the corpus cavernosum of diabetic erectile dysfunction (ED).


METHODS
Fifty rabbits underwent single intravenous injection of alloxan (100 mg/kg). Blood glucose, system arterial pressure (SAP), and intracavemosal pressure (ICP) were measured 15, 30, and 45 days later. The rabbits with the blood glucose >10 mmol/L were used as diabetic models and those with the ICP lower than the normal control group by more than 25% were used as diabetic ED models. RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western-blotting were used to detect the expression of nNOS in the corpus cavemosum.


RESULTS
Seven days after the alloxan injection the blood glucose levels of 35 rabbits (70%) were > 10 mmol/L. 40% rabbits (14/35) were were used as diabetic ED models. Compared with control group, the ICP 15, 30, and 45 days after alloxan injection were considerately decreased in diabetic ED rabbits (all P < 0.01), and there was no significant difference in SAP between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The relative values of nNOS mRNA expression 15, 30, and 45 days after alloxan injection of diabetic ED rabbits were 0.670 +/- 0.030, 0.451 +/- 0.012, and 0.206 +/- 0.023 respectively,all significantly lower than those of the control group (0.817 +/- 0.010, 0.814 +/- 0.020, and 0.802 +/- 0.007 respectively, all P < 0.05). Western blotting showed that the relative values of nNOS 15, 30, and 45 days after alloxan injection of the ED rabbits were 0.713 +/- 0.014, 0.424 +/- 0.007, and 0.337 +/- 0.009 respectively, all significantly lower than those of the control group (0.797 +/- 0.015, 0.706 +/- 0.020, and 0. 750 +/- 0.022 respectively, all P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased expression of nNOS in corpus cavernosum is one of possible pathway of diabetic ED.
Gui
Yao-tirg
YT
Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518036, China.
Li
Xiao-hua
XH
Li
Hui
H
Zhang
Li-bin
LB
Cui
Yong-yan
YY
Zhu
Hui
H
D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000150:complications; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D010413:Penis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D052248:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I