title: Higher expression of mRNA and protein of insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 in old rat penile tissues: implications for erectile dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies have confirmed the gene transfer of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and the IGF-1 protein can improve the erectile function in aging rats. IGF binding protein (BP)-3 can regulates the availability of IGF-I. The higher expression of IGFBP-3 may play an important role in erectile dysfunction (ED).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study aimed to investigate the mRNA and protein expression of IGFBP-3 in young and old rat penile tissues and assess the alteration of the penile structure and the NO-guanosine 3',5'-cyclic-monophosphate (cGMP) signaling pathways-related marker in ED associated with aging.
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcome measures for this study were the expression of IGFBP-3, morphological changes, NO-cGMP signaling pathways-related marker, erectile responses were determined.
  
  
  METHODS
  Traditional reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and real-time PCR were performed to examine the mRNA expression of the IGFBP-3. The Western blot was used to confirm the protein expression. Immunohistochemistry was also performed to identify the cellular localization of the encoded protein. The percentage of smooth muscle in corpus cavernosum tissue, the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), and concentration of cGMP in penile tissue were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The expression levels of IGFBP-3 of mRNA and protein were greatly increased in aging rats compared with young control rats, which is confirmed by traditional RT-PCR, real-time PCR, and Western blot (P < 0.01, respectively). Increased IGFBP-3 protein was localized to the epithelium of the urethra, penile endothelium, and smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum. Significant depletion of the smooth muscle density relative to the connective tissue was also observed in the penis of the aged rats, and the lower activity of NOS and lower concentration of cGMP was also demonstrated accompanied with a significant reduction in the intracavernous pressure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest that the increased mRNA and protein expression of IGFBP-3 in old rats may play a role in ED.
authors: Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital-Department of Urology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors: Xiao-Yong
authors: XY
authors: Pu
authors: Xiang-Guang
authors: XG
authors: Zheng
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Zhang
authors: Heng-Jun
authors: HJ
authors: Xiao
authors: Zhan-Ping
authors: ZP
authors: Xu
authors: Jiu-Ming
authors: JM
authors: Liu
authors: Huai-Peng
authors: HP
authors: Wang
authors: An-Ming
authors: AM
authors: Wen
authors: Xiang-Xue
authors: XX
authors: Zhou
authors: Yi-Long
authors: YL
authors: Wu