Effects of Fine Particulate Matter on Erectile Function and Its Potential Mechanism in Rats.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether the exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in a rat model can impair erectile function and the possible mechanism.


METHODS
Sprague-Dawley rats were distributed into 4 groups (n = 9 each): 1 control group and 3 groups exposed to different levels of PM2.5. Rats were exposed to PM2.5(0.0 [saline control], 0.8, 1.6, and 3.2 mg/rat). After exposure period, the ratio of maximum intracavernosal pressure to mean arterial pressure, molecular-biological indicators in corpus cavernosum tissue and plasma, and the pathologic changes of the lung tissue and penile tissue were detected and compared between the control group and the 3 exposure groups.


RESULTS
The ratio of maximum intracavernosal pressure to mean arterial pressure in 2 groups exposed to PM2.5was significantly lower than that of the control group only (P <.05). Exposure to PM2.5could trigger the significant increase of plasma malondialdehyde, vascular endothelial growth factor, C-reactive protein, and tumor necrosis factor-α in experimental groups than that of the control group (P <.05). Expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (NOS), neuronal NOS, cyclic guanosine monophosphate, NOS activity, and content of reactive oxygen species in penile tissue were higher than that of the control group in a dose-response way (P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The function of penile erection is impaired by exposure to PM2.5. The decrease in the expression of endothelial NOS and NOS activity in penile cavernous tissue caused by systemic inflammatory and oxidative stress status induced by exposure to PM2.5may be one of the important risk factors of erectile dysfunction.
Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Xiaoming
X
Wang
Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Yubo
Y
Yang
Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Jinhong
J
Li
Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Yunjin
Y
Bai
Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
Yin
Y
Tang
Department of Urology/Institute of Urology, West China School of Medicine/West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China. Electronic address: hanping@scu.edu.cn.
Ping
P
Han
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012307:Risk Factors
D000393:Air Pollutants; D052638:Particulate Matter