Neuroprotective effect of docosahexaenoic acid nanoemulsion on erectile function in a rat model of bilateral cavernous nerve injury.
There is an unmet need for treatment of erectile dysfunction resulting from radical prostatectomy and cavernous nerve (CN) injury. Given the neuroprotective properties of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), we investigated its effect on penile functional and structural recovery in a rat model of bilateral cavernous nerve injury. Rats were subject to CN injury and received intraperitoneal administration of either vehicle or a DHA nanoemulsion (nano-DHA) at 10, 50, or 250 μg/kg. Functional testing and histological analyses were performed at 28 days post-injury. The maximum intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and other measures of erectile function were significantly higher in the nano-DHA groups than in the vehicle group (p < 0.05). The ratio of area of expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)/β-III tubulin, numbers of axon and smooth muscle cell content were significantly higher in the 50 μg/kg nano-DHA group than in the vehicle group (p < 0.05). A qualitative increase in the smooth muscle cells/collagen ratio and decrease in apoptosis was observed in the nano-DHA groups relative to the vehicle group: however, these differences were not statistically significant. Our data demonstrate that nano-DHA, particularly the 50 μg/kg regimen, improves erectile function after bilateral CN injury in rats by neuroprotection and other anti-fibrotic and anti-apoptotic mechanisms.
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.|School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.|PhD Program in Nutrition &Food science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Chun-Hou
CH
Liao
PhD Program in Nutrition &Food science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.|Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Yi-No
YN
Wu
Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.|Department of Food Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Bin-Huei
BH
Chen
Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Ying-Hung
YH
Lin
School of Pharmacy, Taipei Medical University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
Hsiu-O
HO
Ho
Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan.|School of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.|PhD Program in Nutrition &Food science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.|Graduate Institute of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Science, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
Han-Sun
HS
Chiang
D000818:Animals; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004655:Emulsions; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008297:Male; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D004655:Emulsions; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids