AIMTo explore the mechanism of chronic renal failure (CRF)-related erectile dysfunction (ED).

METHODSCRF experimental models were established by 5/6 nephrectomy from male Sprague-Dawley rats. Both the rats from the control group (NCRF group, n=6) and the experimental group (CRF group, n=30) were injected with a low dose (80 microg/kg) of apomorphine in the 12th week after resection surgery to measure corresponding penile erections. Western blot method was thereafter conducted to measure the expression of connexin 43 (CX43) in the rat corpus cavernosum in the 12th week after the resection surgery.

RESULTSThere was one death in the NCRF group and five in the CRF group. The penile erection ratio of the CRF group was 28% (7/25), whereas that of the NCRF group was 100% (5/5), which presents a significant difference between the two groups (P < 0.05). In terms of penile erection frequency, the average of the CRF group was 1.0 +/- 0.0, which was significantly different from that of the NCRF group (2.2 +/- 0.8) (P < 0.05). As for the expression of CX43 in the rat corpus cavernosum, a notable difference existed between the CRF group (0.21 +/- 0.07) and the NCRF group (0.53 +/- 0.27) (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCRF significantly reduces the erectile function of rats. A close correlation exists between the expression of CX43 in rats' corpus cavernosum and CRF-related ED.

Animals ; Apomorphine ; pharmacology ; Blotting, Western ; Connexin 43 ; genetics ; Disease Models, Animal ; Erectile Dysfunction ; genetics ; Gene Expression ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; complications ; Male ; Penile Erection ; drug effects ; physiology ; Penis ; enzymology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley