Antifibrogenic role of valproic acid in streptozotocin induced diabetic rat penis.
We investigated the therapeutic effects of valproic acid (VPA) on erectile dysfunction and reducing penile fibrosis in streptozocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Eighteen male rats were divided into three experimental groups (Control, STZ-DM, STZ-DM plus VPA) and diabetes was induced by transperitoneal single dose STZ. Eight weeks after, VPA and placebo treatments were given according to groups for 15 days. All rats were anesthetised for the measurement of in vivo erectile response to cavernous nerve stimulation. Afterward penes were evaluated histologically in terms of immune labelling scores of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Slides were also evaluated in terms of collagen/smooth muscle ratio and penile apoptosis. After the treatment with VPA, erectile responses were found as improved when compared with STZ-DM rats but not statistically meaningful. eNOS and VEGF immune expressions diminished in penile corpora of STZ-DM rats and improved with VPA treatment. VPA led to decrease in TGF-β1 expression and collagen content of diabetic rats' penes. Penile apoptosis was not diminished with VPA. In conclusion, VPA treatment seems to be effective for reducing penile fibrosis in diabetic rats and more prolonged treatment period may enhance erectile functions.
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
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Kutlu
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
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Karaguzel
School of Vocational Health Service, Celal Bayar University, Manisa, Turkey.
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Gurgen
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
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Okatan
Department of Urology, Aydin State Hospital, Aydin, Turkey.
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Kutlu
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
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Bayraktar
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
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Kazaz
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Karadeniz Technical University, Trabzon, Turkey.
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Eren
D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000378:metabolism*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007274:Injections, Intraperitoneal; D008297:Male; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / Q000378:metabolism; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010411:Penile Induration / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013311:Streptozocin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000378:metabolism; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D013311:Streptozocin; D014635:Valproic Acid; D052250:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III
Diabetes mellitus; erectile dysfunction; penis; rat