The effects of new herbal formula (KBMSI-2) on penile erection and expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of new herbal formula (KBMSI-2) on erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rat model.


METHODS
Twenty four Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three groups; control (n=8), diabetes model (n=8), diabetes + KBMSI-2 200 mg/kg treatment (n=8) groups. The diabetes induced groups received a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. Distilled water was administered in the control and model groups. To investigate the penile erection, intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) were recorded in all groups. Serial sections of the penis were used to perform Masson's trichrome stain. The expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS), endothelial NOS (eNOS) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) concentration in the isolated corpus cavernosum were analyzed by Western blotting.


RESULTS
Peak ICP/MAP ratio was increased in the KBMSI-2 treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.05). Masson's trichrome staining confirmed that the smooth muscle component was increased in the KBMSI-2 treatment group compared with the model group (P<0.05). The nNOS, eNOS and cGMP expression of KBMSI-2 200 mg/kg treatment group was increased compared with the model group (P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
This study showed that herbal formula of KBMSI-2 improved the erectile function by preserving the smooth muscle content and inhibiting the fibrosis of the corpus cavernosum in STZ-induced diabetic rat model.
Department of Urology, The Catholic University of Korea, College of Medicine, Seoul, 137-701, Korea.
Byung Il
BI
Yoon
Changyu
C
Hong
Joon Ho
JH
Lee
Su Jin
SJ
Kim
Hyo Sin
HS
Kim
U Syn
US
Ha
Sung-Yeoun
SY
Hwang
Sae Woong
SW
Kim