OBJECTIVETo explore the characteristics of cell apoptosis and proliferation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells in diabetic rats.

METHODSFrom a SD rat model of diabetes induced by a single dose of streptozotocin, CCSM cells were isolated for primary culture and identified using immunocytochemical assays for SMα-actin. The proliferation of CCSM cells was evaluated by WST-1 assay, and flow cytometry was used to detect the cells apoptosis. Real-time fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to analyze the relative expression of proliferation cell nucleus antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 mRNA.

RESULTSThe proliferation rate of the primarily cultured CCSM cells from diabetic rats was significantly decreased and the apoptosis rate significantly increased compared with those of the cells from the control rats. The expression of PCNA mRNA was significantly lowered while caspase-3 mRNA significantly increased in the corpus cavernosum of the diabetic rats (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONIn rats with persisted hyperglycemia, a higher apoptosis rate and a lower proliferation rate both contribute to the reduction of CCSM cells.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; pathology ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; pathology ; Penis ; cytology ; physiopathology ; Primary Cell Culture ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the mechanism of phenotypic transformation of corporal cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs) under hypoxic conditions in vitro. Materials and Methods: In this study, a hypoxia model was established using cobalt chloride (CoCl2). CCSMCs were treated with different concentrations of CoCl2 for varying time periods, and cell viability was assessed. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), myocardin (Myocd) and phenotypic markers were detected in the CCSMCs. We also transfected the CCSMCs with si-HIF-1α and Ad-Myocd and evaluated the effects on phenotypic modulation of CCSMCs and the relationship between HIF-1α and Myocd was evaluated. Results: CoCl2 inhibited the viability of CCSMCs in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and treatment with 300 µM CoCl2 for 48 hours were the optimal conditions for establishing the hypoxia model. The results showed increased expression levels of HIF-1α and osteopontin and decreased Myocd, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and calponin levels in CCSMCs under hypoxia. HIF-1α knockdown reversed hypoxia-induced phenotypic transformation with elevated Myocd expression. Overexpression of Myocd also reversed the effect of hypoxia on the phenotypic switch, but did not affect HIF-1α expression. Conclusions Our findings showed that HIF-1α was involved in the effect of hypoxia induced by CoCl2 on CCSMC phenotypic modulation, and Myocd overexpression could inhibit this process. Thus, Myocd might be a potential therapeutic target for erectile dysfunction under hypoxia or HIF-1α activation.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of atrial fibrillation (AF) with hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in patients with ischemic stroke treated by intravenous thrombolysis. METHODS: Clinical data of 3272 patients treated by intravenous thrombolysis from 71 hospitals in Zhejiang Province during June 2017 and December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Intracranial HT was defined as intracranial hemorrhage suggested by imaging examination 24 hours after intravenous thrombolysis. Patients were dichotomized into HT group (=533) and non-HT group (=2739). The association of AF and HT was analyzed by univariate analysis and binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared with the non-HT group, the HT group were older, had longer onset to needle time (ONT), higher baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, higher baseline glucose level, and higher AF rate (<0.05 or <0.01). Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that AF was independently associated with HT (=2.527, 95%:2.030-3.146, <0.01). CONCLUSIONS AF is independently associated with the occurrence of HT in ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis.
Antifibrinolytic Agents ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Atrial Fibrillation ; complications ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Stroke ; complications ; drug therapy ; Thrombolytic Therapy ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome