[Androgen correlates with expressions of ryanodine receptor 1 and voltage-gated calcium channel 1.3 in rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle].
OBJECTIVE
To study the expressions of ryanodine receptor 1 (RyR1) and voltage-gated calcium channel 1.3 (CaV1.3) in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle of castrated rats and to investigate their role in androgen deficiency-related erectile dysfunction.


METHODS
Forty 8-week-old SD rats were equally randomized into Groups A (2-week sham-operation), B (4-week sham-operation), C (2-week castration), and D (4-week castration). After surgery, the levels of serum testosterone in different groups of rats were determined, and the expressions of RyR1 and CaV1.3 in the corpus cavernosum were detected by immunohistochemical staining and RT-PCR.


RESULTS
The levels of serum testosterone were significantly decreased in Groups C ([15.97 +/- 5.67] nmol/L) and D ([2.03 +/- 1.57] nmol/L) as compared with A ([90.54 +/- 20.13] nmol/L) and B ([120.35 +/- 30.32] nmol/L) (P < 0.05). RyR1 and CaV1.3 expressed in all the groups. RyR1 mRNA, CaV1.3 mRNA and their proteins were remarkably reduced in Groups C (0.51 +/- 0.24, 0.50 +/- 0.12, 120.36 +/- 25.78, 103.37 +/- 39.52, respectively) and D (0.33 +/- 0.15, 0.32 +/- 0.07, 67.39 +/- 30.54, 67.56 +/- 20.12, respectively) in comparison with A (1.53 +/- 0.25, 1.33 +/- 0.05, 300.96 +/- 135.12, 298.68 +/- 126.35, respectively) and B (1.37 +/- 0.23, 1.25 +/- 0.03, 330.38 +/- 128.59, 327.35 +/- 117.37, respectively) (P < 0.05). The androgen level was positively correlated with the expressions of RyR1 and CaV1.3.


CONCLUSIONS
Androgen can regulate erectile function via RyR1 and CaV1.3.
Luo
Hua
H
Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China. luohua060046@163.com
Yang
Hai-fan
HF
Jiang
Rui
R
D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / Q000378:metabolism*
D000728:Androgens; D015220:Calcium Channels; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel; C093712:Cacna1d protein, rat