title: Resveratrol, an activator of SIRT1, restores erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
abstract: The high incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetes highlights a need for effective treatment strategies. Resveratrol, an activator of silent information regulator 2-related enzymes 1 (sirtuin1, SIRT1), has received attention for its valuable effects in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, longevity and cardiovascular disease. To explore the effects of resveratrol in diabetes-induced ED, resveratrol was administered to rats with streptozocin (65 mg kg(-1))-induced diabetes. Erectile function, cavernous structure, tissue protein expression of silent information regulator 2-related enzymes 1 (sirtuin1, SIRT1), p53 and forkhead transcription factor O 3a (FOXO3a), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the corpora cavernosa were studied. We found that SIRT1 was expressed in cavernosal tissue, and it was downregulated in the corpora of diabetic rats. The administration of resveratrol upregulated the expression of SIRT1 and restored erectile function. In contrast, resveratrol downregulated the expression of p53 and FOXO3a, which regulate apoptosis and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the resveratrol-treated group showed an improvement in smooth muscle content, SOD activity and MDA levels when compared with the diabetic group. Therefore, the ability of resveratrol to improve diabetes-induced ED is likely related to its activation of SIRT1 expression, thus causing the suppression of apoptosis and resistance towards oxidative stress.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital, School of Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
authors.forename: Wen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Zan
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wan
authors.forename: Xue-Feng
authors.initials: XF
authors.lastname: Qiu
authors.forename: Yun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yu-Tian
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Dai
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015536:Down-Regulation; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy; D000071316:Forkhead Box Protein O3; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects*; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D000077185:Resveratrol; D056564:Sirtuin 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D013267:Stilbenes / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013311:Streptozocin; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis
chemical_list: C499515:FOXO3 protein, rat; D000071316:Forkhead Box Protein O3; D051858:Forkhead Transcription Factors; D013267:Stilbenes; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D013311:Streptozocin; C488368:Sirt1 protein, rat; D056564:Sirtuin 1; D000077185:Resveratrol