title: Effect of Testosterone on the Phenotypic Modulation of Corpus Cavernosum Smooth Muscle Cells in a Castrated Rat Model.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the effect of testosterone (T) on the phenotypic modulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells in a castrated rat model.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, castration, and castration with T supplementation (castration + T). Erectile function, histologic change, and biochemical markers were assessed for phenotypic modulation of CCSM cells in corporal tissue. Moreover, the primary rat CCSM cells were isolated and examined by Western blot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data showed that serum T level, mean weight of the body, erectile function, and smooth muscle-to-collagen ratio were significantly decreased in the castration group compared with those in the control and castration + T groups. The expressions of CCSM cells' phenotypic markers, such as α-smooth muscle actin, calponin, and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11, were markedly lower, whereas osteopontin protein expression was significantly higher in castrated rats than in control and castrated + T rats. In addition, the immunofluorescence staining of α-smooth muscle actin and calponin markedly decreased in the primary CCSM cells of the castrated rats compared with the intensity of the control and the castration + T rats.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CCSM cells undergo phenotype modulation in castrated rats, whereas T reversed the alterations. T may play a key role in the phenotype modulation of CCSM cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Luhao
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ermao
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Futian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Lianmin
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Shankun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
authors.forename: Jintai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: zgzhaodr@126.com.
authors.forename: Zhigang
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008840:Microfilament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D023421:Models, Animal; D032389:Myocytes, Smooth Muscle / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009919:Orchiectomy; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000502:physiology*; D010413:Penis / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013739:Testosterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D000096985:Calponins
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D013739:Testosterone; D000096985:Calponins