Apoptosis and the expression of Bax and Bcl-2 in the penis of diabetic rats.
- Author:
Deming WANG
1
;
Hong XIE
;
Guozheng WANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Animals; Apoptosis; DNA, Neoplasm; genetics; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; metabolism; pathology; Disease Models, Animal; Gene Expression; Male; Penis; metabolism; pathology; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; biosynthesis; genetics; Rats; Rats, Wistar; bcl-2-Associated X Protein; biosynthesis; genetics
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2004;10(11):844-848
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between apoptosis and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in the penis cavernosal tissues of diabetic rats.
METHODSFifty male adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups: 10 as normal control and 40 used to induce diabetes by intravenous injection of alloxan (AXN) (50 mg/kg). After 8 weeks, their penises were harvested. Apoptosis was evaluated by means of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated d-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). Immunohistochemistry was employed to detect the protein of Bcl-2 and Bax.
RESULTSCompared with those in the control group, apoptotic cells were more in number (P<0.01) and the expression of Bcl-2 was absent in the penis cavernosal tissues of the diabetic rats. However, there was upregulation of Bax and decrease in Bcl-2/Bax ratio in the diabetic group.
CONCLUSIONThe high rate of apoptosis in diabetic rats may play a role in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction. The change in Bcl-2 and Bax activities may be responsible for apoptosis in diabetic penis erectile tissues.
