Changes of morphology and erectile function of the cavernous tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
- Author:
Yun-Fei LIU
1
;
Li-Quan HU
;
Xin-Min ZHENG
;
Shi-Wen LI
;
Zhi-Wei YANG
;
Bin-Qun TIAN
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Actins; biosynthesis; Animals; Apomorphine; administration & dosage; Blood Pressure; physiology; Collagen Type III; biosynthesis; Hypertension; pathology; physiopathology; Immunohistochemistry; Male; Penile Erection; physiology; Penis; metabolism; pathology; Rats; Rats, Inbred SHR; Rats, Inbred WKY
- From: National Journal of Andrology 2005;11(11):832-837
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo study the changes of morphology and erectile function of the cavernous tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats.
METHODSSpontaneously hypertensive male rats (SHR) (n = 15) and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY) (n = 15) were studied for 20 weeks. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was measured weekly by the tail/cuff method. Erectile function was tested by injecting apomorphine (APO). The expression alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and collagen III was examined by immunohistochemistry.
RESULTSSHR showed a higher systolic blood pressure (205.7 +/- 11.9 vs 114.3 +/- 10.2 mm Hg) and a lower erection frequency (0.6 +/- 0.5 vs 2.4 +/- 0.6). The expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and collagen III in the cavernous tissues in the SHR was significantly higher than in the WKY.
CONCLUSIONThe erectile function of the penis is markedly affected by hypertension, and the pathological changes may be one of the most important mechanisms of decreased erectile function in SHR.
