ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Intracavernous injection of PGE1 or papaverine is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, these drugs have several side effects such as pain, priapism, and fibrotic lesions. In this study, we assessed the effects of pinacidil (a K+ -ATP - channel opener) as an alternative for inducing penile erection. METHODS: Using a feline model, the magnitude of penile erection caused by pinacicil was compared with that caused by other drugs, namely acetylcholine, PGE1 and L-arginine. The effects of K+ -channel blockers(4-aminopyridine, glibenclamide, and tetraethylammonium; TEA) and pinacidil on the induced erections were investigated. RESULTS: Intra-arterial injection of pinacicil increased the intracavernous pressure (ICP) in a dose-dependent fashion, and the increase in ICP induced by pinacicil plus acetylcholine, PGE1 or L-arginine was more pronounced than that induced by any of these drugs alone. Furthermore, pinacicil (10(-3)M/mL) effectively reversed the inhibitory effects of the K+-channel blockers on cavernous relaxation induced by acetylcholine, PGE1 or L-arginine (P<0.01). Notably, pinacidil induced cavernous relaxation even in cases refractory to a higher concentration <10(-1) M/mL) of erectics (n = 11; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pinacidil is effective in relaxing feline erectile tissue in vivo, probably via increased K+ permeability and subsequent hyperpolarization. Further comparative studies with human erectile tissue and clinical testing are required to show whether K+-channel openers can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Acetylcholine , Alprostadil , Arginine , Diagnosis , Erectile Dysfunction , Glyburide , Injections, Intra-Arterial , Papaverine , Penile Erection , Permeability , Pinacidil , Priapism , Relaxation , TetraethylammoniumABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Intracavernous injection of PGE1 or papaverine is widely used in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, these drugs have several side effects such as pain, priapism, and fibrotic lesions. In this study, we assessed the effects of pinacidil (a K+ -ATP - channel opener) as an alternative for inducing penile erection. METHODS: Using a feline model, the magnitude of penile erection caused by pinacicil was compared with that caused by other drugs, namely acetylcholine, PGE1 and L-arginine. The effects of K+ -channel blockers(4-aminopyridine, glibenclamide, and tetraethylammonium; TEA) and pinacidil on the induced erections were investigated. RESULTS: Intra-arterial injection of pinacicil increased the intracavernous pressure (ICP) in a dose-dependent fashion, and the increase in ICP induced by pinacicil plus acetylcholine, PGE1 or L-arginine was more pronounced than that induced by any of these drugs alone. Furthermore, pinacicil (10(-3)M/mL) effectively reversed the inhibitory effects of the K+-channel blockers on cavernous relaxation induced by acetylcholine, PGE1 or L-arginine (P<0.01). Notably, pinacidil induced cavernous relaxation even in cases refractory to a higher concentration <10(-1) M/mL) of erectics (n = 11; p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that pinacidil is effective in relaxing feline erectile tissue in vivo, probably via increased K+ permeability and subsequent hyperpolarization. Further comparative studies with human erectile tissue and clinical testing are required to show whether K+-channel openers can be used in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Acetylcholine , Alprostadil , Arginine , Diagnosis , Erectile Dysfunction , Glyburide , Injections, Intra-Arterial , Papaverine , Penile Erection , Permeability , Pinacidil , Priapism , Relaxation , TetraethylammoniumABSTRACT
We report 22 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia treated with transurethral balloon dilation and followed for six months thereafter. Of these 22 patients, 15 patients(68.2%) demonstrated significant improvement in modified Boyarsky symptom score and/or corrected peak flow rate on six months follow-up.
Subject(s)
Humans , Follow-Up Studies , Prostatic HyperplasiaABSTRACT
We experienced a case of transureteroureterostomy in a single kidney with multiple distal ureteral strictures. The patient had received nephrectomy due to staghorn calculi 14 years ago. We have utilized the abandoned ureter from the transureteroureterostomy with stenting. We have confirmed good drainage through the anastomosed ureter by radiological imaging. No other complications were observed except Pseudomonas urinary tract infection. Thereby we report this unique procedure of transureteroureterostomy using the 14-year-age abandoned ureter.
Subject(s)
Humans , Calculi , Constriction, Pathologic , Drainage , Kidney , Nephrectomy , Pseudomonas , Stents , Ureter , Urinary Tract InfectionsABSTRACT
Prune belly syndrome is a rare anomaly complex associated with absence of abdominal muscle combined with urinary tract abnormalities. We have encountered stillbirth female with severely distended abdomen without external genitalia end anus who was Finally confirmed as prune belly syndrome by an autopsy. Herein we report a case with review of literature.