Change of Expression and Activity of Heme Oxygenase-1 in Rat Corpus Cavernosum during Low-flow Priapism.
- Author:
Woo Jin KIM
1
;
Hang Ki JUNG
;
Jae Hun JUNG
;
Sung Chul KAM
;
Jeong Seok HWA
;
Jae Seog HYUN
Author Information
1. Department of Urology, Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine, Jinju, Korea. hyunjs@gshp.gsnu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Priapism;
Heme oxygenase;
Hypoxia
- MeSH:
Animals;
Anoxia;
Carbon Monoxide;
Constriction;
Dilatation;
Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing);
Heme Oxygenase-1*;
Heme*;
Humans;
Male;
Muscle, Smooth;
Muscle, Smooth, Vascular;
Papaverine;
Priapism*;
Rats*;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley;
Rubber
- From:Korean Journal of Andrology
2004;22(2):81-86
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: The inducible isoform of heme oxygenase(HO), HO-1, responds to hypoxia. HO-1 regulates vascular smooth muscle tone through carbon monoxide production. To investigate the possible role of HO-1 in low-flow priapism, we examined the expression and activity of HO-1 in artificially induced veno-occlusive priapism in rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into 2 groups with 7 rats each. In the first group, low-flow priapism was induced using a vacuum-constriction device and a constriction rubber band; in the second group, low-flow priapism was induced using papaverine. We measured the expression level and activity of HO-1 in penile tissues after time periods of 0(control), 2, 3, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours. At the same time, the expression levels of i-NOS, e-NOS, and beta-actin(control) in penile tissues were also measured. RESULTS: In both groups, expression of HO-1 and HO-1 enzyme activities in penile tissue significantly increased in a time dependent fashion(p<0.01). However, there was no difference in the expression of i-NOS and e-NOS in both groups at any time period. CONCLUSIONS: HO-1 was induced over time in rats with artificially induced veno-occlusive priapism. Induction of HO-1 may play a protective role against hypoxic injury, but may also play an important role in the vicious cycle observed for low flow priapism. Increasing induction of HO-1 against hypoxic injury in a prolonged erectile state promotes sustained dilatation of corporal smooth muscle, and this may aggravate low-flow priapism.
