[Expressions of Cav1.3 and RyR1 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis in aged rats].
OBJECTIVE
To study the expression of the L-type calcium channel (Cav1.3) and its receptor Ryrs1 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis in aged rats, and to explore the mechanism of age-related erectile dysfunction (ED).


METHODS
We included 10 two month-old male SD rats (Group A) and another ten 18-month-old ones (Group B) in this study, measured their serum testosterone levels and analyzed the expressions of Cav1.3 and RyR1 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
The level of serum testosterone was significantly lower in Group B than in A ([1 356 +/- 424] ng/L vs [2 744 +/- 964] ng/L, P < 0.05). Compared with the young rats, the aged ones showed significant decreases in the expressions of Cav1.3 (IA = 18.65 +/- 8.47 vs 75.48 +/- 14.28, P < 0.05), RyR1 (IA = 21.37 +/- 9.64 vs 78.23 +/- 13.57, P < 0.05), Cav1.3 mRNA (mean gray value = 0.382 +/- 0.046 vs 1.137 +/- 0.415, P < 0.05), and RyR1 mRNA (mean gray value = 0.146 +/- 0.053 vs 1.215 +/- 0.261, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced expressions of Cav1.3 and RyR1 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis may be one of the mechanisms underlying age-related ED in aged rats.
Luo
Yi
Y
Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China. luoyi761020@163.com
Jiang
Rui
R
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type / Q000378:metabolism*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D010413:Penis / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel / Q000378:metabolism*
D020746:Calcium Channels, L-Type; D019837:Ryanodine Receptor Calcium Release Channel