Effect of berberine on the mRNA expression of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in rat corpus cavernosum.

Author: Yan TAN ¹ ; Qiang TANG ; Benrong HU ; Jizhou XIANG
Author Information

1. Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: 3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; biosynthesis; genetics; Animals; Berberine; pharmacology; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; Male; Penis; drug effects; metabolism; RNA, Messenger; biosynthesis; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
From: National Journal of Andrology 2004;10(12):890-893
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo further investigate the action mechanisms of berberine (Ber) and to assess the effects of Ber on the mRNA expression of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) in rat corpus cavernosum.
METHODSAfter incubating with Ber for 1 or 3 h respectively, we examined the levels of PDE5 mRNA by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
RESULTSThere were PDE5A1 and PDE5A2 mRNA expressions in the rat corpus cavernosum with PDE5A2 as the dominant isoform. Ber could obviously inhibit the mRNA expression of the two isoforms in the rat penis and bring on a pronounced decrease in PDE5A2 (P < 0.01).
CONCLUSIONThe present study indicates that the inhibitory effect of Ber on PDE5 mRNA expression, especially on PDE5A2, might account for its molecular mechanism for treating ED.