The effect of platelet-rich plasma on cavernous nerve regeneration in a rat model / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on cavernous nerve (CN) regeneration and functional status in a nerve-crush rat model. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into three equal groups: eight had a sham operation, eight underwent bilateral nerve crushing with no further intervention and eight underwent bilateral nerve crushing with an immediate application of PRP on the site of injury. Erectile function was assessed by CN electrostimulation at 3 months and nerve regeneration was assessed by toluidine blue staining of CN and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-diaphorase staining of penile tissue. Three months after surgery, in the group that underwent bilateral nerve crushing with no further intervention, the functional evaluation showed a lower mean maximal intracavernous pressure (ICP) and maximal ICP per mean arterial pressure (MAP) with CN stimulation than those in the sham group. In the group with an immediate application of PRP, the mean maximal ICP and maximal ICP/MAP were significantly higher than those in the injured control group. Histologically, the group with the application of PRP had more myelinated axons of CNs and more NADPH-diaphorase-positive nerve fibres than the injured control group but fewer than the sham group. These results show that the application of PRP to the site of CN-crush injury facilitates nerve regeneration and recovery of erectile function. Our research indicates that clinical application of PRP has potential repairing effect on CN and peripheral nerves.

Effects of TRPM8 on the proliferation and motility of prostate cancer PC-3 cells / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

We investigated the effects of transient receptor potential M8 (TRPM8) channel on the proliferation and motility of androgen-independent prostate cancer PC-3 cells. After being permanently transfected with an empty vector and cDNA encoding the TRPM8 protein, cells were analysed for cell cycle distribution and motility using flow cytometry and scratch assay. Immunocytochemistry and Ca2+ imaging analysis revealed the overexpression of functional TRPM8 channel on both endoplasmic reticulum and plasma membrane of PC-3-TRPM8 cells. Cell cycle distribution and scratch assay analysis revealed that TRPM8 induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 stage (P < 0.05) and facilitated the cell apoptosis induced by starvation (P < 0.05). Furthermore, TRPM8 inhibited the migration of PC-3-TRPM8 cells (P < 0.01) through the inactivation of focal-adhesion kinase. It appears that TRPM8 was not essential for the survival of PC-3 cells; however, the overexpression of TRPM8 had negative effects on the proliferation and migration of PC-3 cells. Thus, TRPM8 and its agonists may serve as important targets for the treatment of prostate cancer.

Intraprostatic urinary reflux associated prostatitis caused by partial urethral obstruction in the rat model / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP / CPPS) by constructing the rat model of intraprostatic urinary reflux associated prostatitis caused by partial urethral obstruction.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-four SD male rats were divided into an experiment group (n = 30) and a partial urethral obstruction (PUO) sham operation group (n = 24). Shinsuke Takechi's surgical method was adopted to achieve PUO and induce intraprostatic urinary reflux in the experiment group. While in the sham operation control group, the prostates were harvested at 1, 3 and 7 days after release from 3-day PUO, their morphological changes observed with the light microscope and the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) examined by immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Inflammation was observed in the prostate of the experiment group at 1, 3 and 7 days after release from PUO and alleviated with the passing of time, while the control group remained normal. The expression of COX-2 in the prostate was significantly higher in the experiment group than in the control (P < 0.05) and the staining of COX-2 became stronger with the lapse of time (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>An animal model of intraprostatic urinary reflux associated prostatitis was constructed. The up-regulated expression of COX-2 induced by intraprostatic urinary reflux may be closely related with the development of CP / CPPS.</p>

Improvement in erectile dysfunction after insulin-like growth factor-1 gene therapy in diabetic rats / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To determine whether adenoviral gene transfer of insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) to the penis of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats could improve erectile capacity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>THE STZ diabetic rats were transfected with AdCMV-betagal or AdCMV-IGF-1. These rats underwent cavernous nerve stimulation to assess erectile function and their responses were compared with those of age-matched control rats 1 to 2 days after transfection. In control and transfected STZ diabetic rats, IGF-1 expression were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot and histology. The penis beta-galactosidase activity and localization of the STZ diabetic rats were also determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>One to two days after transfection, the beta-galactosidase was found in the smooth muscle cells of the diabetic rat penis transfected with AdCMV-betagal. One to 2 days after administration of AdCMV-IGF-1, the cavernosal pressure, as determined by the ratio of maximal intracavernous pressure-to-mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) and total intracavernous pressure (ICP), was increased in response to cavernous nerve stimulation. Transgene expression was confirmed by RT-PCR, Western blot and histology.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Gene transfer of IGF-1 significantly increased erectile function in the STZ diabetic rats. These results suggest that in vivo gene transfer of IGF-1 might be a new therapeutic intervention for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in the STZ diabetic rats.</p>

Impacts of denervation on the morphology and expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase of prostate of adolescent rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the impacts of denervation on the morphology and the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) of prostate of the adolescent rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Adolescent male SD rats were randomly divided into group A and group B. The right pelvic ganglion denervation was performed in group B with the help of surgical microscope, and group A received a sham operation. Five weeks later, the ventral prostates were obtained for morphologic observation, apoptosis detection and the evaluation of nNOS expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A 30.8% reduction of right ventral prostate (RVP) fresh weight was found in group B. After denervation, histological features showed an overall decrease in the numbers of cells and cell height, and apoptosis indexes (AI) was significantly higher than that in group A (P <0.01), while the expression of nNOS decreased apparently (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The study indicates that denervation can cause apoptosis of the prostatic, and affect the prostate growth of the adolescent rat. During this process, nNOS plays an important role in the regulation of apoptosis.</p>

Effects of experimental varicocele on methylenedioxyamphetamine, total antioxidants content and sialic acid of the epididymis in adolescent rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the changes of methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), total antioxidants content (TAC) and sialic acid (SA) from the unilateral epididymis of experimental varicocele in adolescent rats, and to illuminate the effects of varicocele on unilateral epididymis epithelium.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Experimental left varicocele model of 16 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were established by partial ligation of left renal vein. The epididymis were collected for detecting the content of MDA, TAC and SA by using spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was statistically significant differences in the contents of three substances between experimental varicocele and sham-operated groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The content of MDA, TAC and SA will change and the sialic acid-secreting-function of unilateral epididymis will be injured because of varicocele.</p>

Relationship between germ cells apoptosis and alterations of total antioxidant capacity, nitric oxide level and nitric oxide synthase activity in testes of rats submitted to alcohol drinking / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the relationship between germ cells apoptosis and alterations of total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), nitric oxide(NO) level and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in the testes of rats submitted to alcohol drinking.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (3 months old) were randomly divided into two groups: control group and experimental group. 50% alcohol and distilled water were administered intragastrically at a dose of 10 ml/kg body weight to two groups of rats respectively. After twenty-six days, the biochemical parameters (T-AOC, NO level and NOS activity) were measured with spectrophotometric determination. The TdT-mediated dUTP-X nick end labeling (TUNEL) technique was used to detect germ cells apoptotic index (AI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with the control group, AI was significantly higher (P < 0.01) in the experimental group; T-AOC level reduced obviously (P < 0.01), but NO level and NOS activity increased predominantly ( P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The excessive production of NO caused by the increasing of NOS activity and the decreasing of T-AOC may be the main causes that alcohol overtaking induces germ cells apoptosis.</p>

IFN-gamma and TGF-beta1, levels in the expressed prostatic secretions of patients with chronic abacterial prostatitis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine IFN-gamma and anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-beta1, in the expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) of men with chronic abacterial prostatitis and their clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The levels of IFN-gamma and TGF-beta1, in the EPS of 20 patients with inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (type III A), 20 patients with non-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome (type Ill B) and 10 healthy men were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results were analysed comparatively with NIH-chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>IFN--gamma and TGF-beta1 levels were higher in III ([14.92 +/- 7. 85)], [8477.50 +/- 4612.45] ng/L) and III B ([13.74 +/- 5.96], [7946.50 +/- 5044.06] ng/L) prostatitis patients than those in the controls ([7.47 +/- 1.49], [2462.50 +/- 985.31] ng/L), P < 0.05 and P < 0.001 respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in cytokine levels between III A and Il B prostatitis patients. No correlation was found between NIH-CPSI and cytokine levels, r = 0.02, P = 0.86, r = 0.31, P = 0.76.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>IFN-gamma and TGF-beta1, play a very important role in the etiology of chronic abacterial prostatitis and can be the objective parameters in the diagnosis of chronic abacterial prostatitis.</p>

Vas-to-Epididymis antidromic injection of 30% ethanol reduces sperm motility in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the reduction of sperm motility in rats induced by vas-to-epididymis antidromic injection of 30% ethanol and its mechanism.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty male adult Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into 3 groups: bilateral vas injection (n = 15) , sham operation control (n = 15) and normal (n = 10). An aliquot of 0.5 ml of 30% ethanol was injected from vas to epididymis bilaterally. After 1 month, all the rats'vasa and epididymides were ablated for studies of the sperm motility, construction changes of the vas and contents of IL-6, IFN-gamma and carnitine of the epididymis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was markedly significant difference in sperm motility in the injection group (P < 0.01). The number of sperms in the bilateral vas injection group was 31, while in the sham operation control and normal groups was 64 and 68, respectively. The contents of IL-6 and IFN-gamma increased, and the carnitine reduced significantly (P < 0.05). However, no significant differences were noted between the control and the normal groups (P > 0.05). The contents of IL-6, IFN-gamma and carnitine in the bilateral vas injection group were 772.7 pg/ml, 350.7 pg/ml and 491.1 mol/L. But the same indexes in the sham operation and normal groups were 308.5 pg/ml, 172. 2 pg/ml and 664. 6 mol/L and 287. 8 pg/ml, 163. 8 pg/ml and 605.5 mol/L.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The antidromic injection of ethanol from vas to epididymis can not only interfere the environment for sperm maturation but also activate the immunologic cells that secrete many cytokines (CK) in the genital system. All the factors can induce the reduction of sperm motility.</p>

Antifertility effect of 30% ethanol retro-injection into rat vas deferens / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the antifertility effect and safety of 30% ethanol retro-injection into the vas deferens of the rat.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty Sprague-Dawley male rats, 3 m of age and (200 +/- 20) g in weight, were equally randomized into an experimental group and a control group. The former received 30% ethanol (0.5 ml) and the latter 0.9% sodium chloride (0.5 ml), both retro-injected into the vas deferens. Pregnancy rates were obtained through pregnancy tests with 60 Sprague-Dawley female adult rats 1.5 m and 3 m after the injection. All the male rats were sacrificed three months later, and tests were done for the rates of sperm motility and deformity as well as for the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells with TUNEL.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 1.5 m pregnancy rate was 0 and the 3 m sperm motility and pregnancy rates were (0.32 +/- 1.12)% and (0.58 +/- 1.27)%, significantly decreased (P < 0.05) as compared with those of the control group, which were (80.62 +/- 2.68)%, (70.68 +/- 1.62)% and (86.62 +/- 1.68)%, respectively. While the 3 m sperm deformity rate in the experimental group was (78.26 +/- 1.08)%, increased significantly (P < 0.05), and the apoptosis index (AI) of spermatogenic cells was (7.63 +/- 1.16)% as compared with (5.62 +/- 1.32)% of the control group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Retro-injection of 30% ethanol into the vas deferens of the rat produces significant antifertility effect on rats, but has no significant influence on their spermatogenic cells.</p>

Growth hormone enhances regeneration of cavernous nerves after their transplantation in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of growth hormone (GH) on penile erection after reconstruction of cavernous nerves using sural nerve as an interposition nerve graft in rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four male Sprague-Dawley rats (3-4 ms of age and 300-400 g in weight) were randomly divided into 2 groups: nerve graft group and GH group, each electrostimulated to determine the erectile potency 2 and 4 months after nerve graft (followed by hypodermic GH injection). The nNOS-positive nerve fibers in the corpora cavemosa were examined by streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemistry technique (SP method). Image analysis was used to calculate the area stained in pixel.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Electrostimulation at 2 months produced 31.25% of erections in the GH group but none in the grafted rats. There was a significant difference in the erection rate produced by electrostimulation between the two groups at 2 months (P < 0.05). The pixel of the expression of nNOS-positive nerve fibers in the GH group (38971 +/- 7692) was also greater than that of the graft group (16538 +/- 3179, P < 0.05). At 4 months, 43.75% of the graft group and 75% of the GH group produced erections upon electrostimulation, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05). The pixels of the expression of nNOS-positive nerve fibers were 79276 +/- 12,021 and 91348 +/- 18965, respectively (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GH can accelerate the regeneration of cavernous nerves after bilateral nerve grafting, and GH administration may present a new physiological approach to the treatment of erectile dysfunction after radical pelvic surgery.</p>

Effects of epidermal growth factor on sperm content and motility of rats with surgically induced varicoceles / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the sperm content and motility of the varicocelized rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups. Experimental varicocele was induced by partial ligation of the left renal vein in the varicocele, the varicocele repair, the varicocele with EGF and the varicocele repair with EGF groups, whereas the control group only received a sham induction of varicocele. Surgical repair of varicocele was performed 4 months later in the varicocele repair and varicocele repair with EGF groups. EGF administration was performed daily by s.c. injection in the varicocele with EGF and varicocele repair with EGF groups at the dose of 10 microg/(kg.day) from the next day of the second surgery. One month later, all animals were killed and bilateral cauda epididymal sperm counts and motility were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The mean sperm count and percentage of motile spermatozoa were significantly higher bilaterally in the varicocele with EGF group than in the varicocele group (P < 0.05). They were also significantly higher bilaterally in the varicocele repair with EGF group than in the varicocele repair and the varicocele with EGF groups (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>EGF can improve bilateral epididymal sperm content and motility of the rat with surgically induced varicocele. The administration of EGF in combination with surgical repair is more effective than surgical repair or EGF administration alone. EGF might be useful for the treatment of infertility induced by varicocele.</p>

Future development of andrology in China / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To forecast the prospects of andrology in China in the 21st century and to point out the new directions of andrological development.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Speculations were made about the future development of andrology in China in the light of the present status of andrology in China, the gap between China and the developed countries in this field, and the trend of modern medicine.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In the new century, Chinese andrologists will make various breakthroughs in revealing male reproduction secrets, establishing system epidemic data on male diseases, resolving key problems in basic and clinical researches on ED, preventing sexually transmitted diseases, and advancing andrology by taking advantage of the Traditional Chinese Medicine.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>By the year 2020, the Chinese andrological cause will come up to the advanced level in the world through sustained efforts and cooperation of all Chinese andrologists.</p>

Treatment of experimental chronic bacterial prostatitis with free-radical scavenger in rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the efficacy of free-radical scavenger in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-eight healthy male rats were randomly divided into a control group and four model groups (Groups A, B, C and D). The chronic prostatitis model was established in the latter groups through injecting E. coli into the ventral robe of the prostate according to document. Group A was untreated, Group B treated with free-radical scavenger vitamin C, Group C with salicylazosulfapyridine (SASP), Group D with SASP and vitamin C. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) examinations were conducted in each group 2 months later.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Vitamin C could significantly increase the level of SOD and decrease the level of MDA. There was significant difference between the model groups and the control one, as well as between the treated groups and the untreated one, but none among the treated groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Free-radical scavenger may be useful for the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis.</p>

Growth hormone enhances regeneration of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in the aged rat penis / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of growth hormone (GH) on the erectile function and the number of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) -containing nerve fibers in the penis of aged rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four aged male SD rats (18 months) were randomized into 2 groups: GH intervention group and control group. After four and eight weeks, a half of each group were selected and tested for erectile function after apomorphine (APO) injection and then sacrificed for the detection of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in the penis by streptavidin-peroxidase conjugated method (SP method).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After four weeks, the erectile function and the number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers showed no significant difference between the GH intervention group and the control group (P > 0.05). After eight weeks, the erection frequency was significantly different (P < 0.05) between the two groups, while the erection rate was not. The number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in the GH intervention group was significantly larger than that in the control group (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>GH enhances the regeneration of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in the penis and improves the erectile function of the aged rat.</p>

Pharmacotherapy for erectile dysfunction / 中华男科学杂志

In the recent few years, especially since the introduction of phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor, sildenafil, most researchers have focused their researches on biochemistry and physiology of erectile function. New progress has been made made in basic and clinic researches on pharmacotherapy for ED. In this article, the putative molecular or cellular mechanism of actions of the available centrally and peripherally acting drugs are reviewed, providing details about the current and most explosive area of drug research and development in erectile dysfunction.

Changes of morphology and erectile function of the cavernous tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes of morphology and erectile function of the cavernous tissues in spontaneously hypertensive rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Spontaneously 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.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SHR 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.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The 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.</p>

Effects of hypothermia on antioxidant capacity of rat testes after testicular torsion / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of hypothermia on the antioxidant capacity of rat testes after testicular torsion.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four healthy pubertal male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups of equal number: Group A (torsion) , Group B (torsion + hypothermia) and Group C (control). The animals were submitted to unilateral 720 degrees testicular torsion, and underwent detorsion two hours later. Fourteen days later, the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the level of malonic diethylaldehyde(MDA) were detected with spectrophotometer and histological changes were observed by light microscope.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The T-AOC of Group B was significantly greater than that of Group A (P < 0.01), but less than that of Group C (P < 0.01). The MDA level of Group B was lower than that of Group A (P < 0.01), but higher than that of Group C (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hypothermia can restrain the production of oxygen free radicals following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats, which in turn can inhibit lipid peroxidation and increase the survivability of the torsional testis.</p>

Fibrosis of corpus cavernosum in animals following cavernous nerve ablation / 亚洲男科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>AIM</b>To investigate alterations of smooth muscle cells and collagen fibers in corpus cavernosum following cavernous neurectomy and its relation to the expression of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Ten adult male SD rats (neurectomy group) were subject to a bilateral cavernous nerve (CN) resection aseptically under an operating microscope, with 6 sham-operated rats as the control. Fifteen weeks after the operation, the penile specimens were collected and prepared for quantitative-analyzing of ratio of smooth muscle to collagen fibers in corpus cavernosum with confocal microscopy, and for detecting the expression of TGF-beta1 by RT-PCR and western-blot.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Smooth muscle cells that show red color after fluorescent-labeling with tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate-phalloidin and collagen fibers that produce green autofluorescence after paraformaldehyde fixation were clearly identified under the confocal microscope. Quantification of fluorescent intensity showed that the ratio of smooth muscle to collagen fibers in corpus cavernosum in neurectomy group was 0.265 +/- 0.125, which was significantly lower than that in sham-operated group (0.760 +/- 0.196, P<0.01). RT-PCR and western-blot analyses revealed a significantly higher expression of TGF-beta1 in the penile tissues of the neurectomy animals than that in sham-operated group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Bilateral ablation of CN can lead to fibrosis of corpus cavernosum, which may be related to an increased expression of TGF-beta1 induced by hypoxia in cavernous tissue after denervation.</p>

Effects on erectile function of transplanted major pelvic ganglion into the corpus cavernosum of adult rats with bilateral cavernous nerve injury / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects on erectile function of transplanted major pelvic ganglion into the corpus cavernosum of adult male rats undergoing transection of bilateral cavernous nerves.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats (3 - 4 month-old and 300 - 400 g/each) were divided into 2 groups: experimental group (transection of bilateral cavernous nerves and transplantation of left ganglion into left crus of penis, n = 16) and control group (transection of bilateral cavernous nerves only, n = 10). Erectile function was measured by injecting APO, and intracavernous pressure was measured 1 and 3 months afterwards by electric-stimulating the right major pelvic ganglion or the left crus. Half animals in each group were sacrificed 1 and 3 months afterwards for detecting nNOS-containing nerve fibers of corpus cavernosum. Electron microscopy of the implanted area was performed to assess neuronal survival.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Both of the two groups have no erectile response to APO injection. Electrostimulation on the right major pelvic ganglion and left crus failed to produce erection in experimental group. The mean pressure changes in the two groups, measured by stimulating the left crus, were (9.41 +/- 3.20) and (4.16 +/- 2.58) cmH(2)O 1 month afterwards, and (13.67 +/- 4.18) and (5.09 +/- 2.74) cmH(2)O 3 months afterwards, respectively (P < 0.05). An increased number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers in left crus was detected in experimental group 1 and 3 months later, compared with control one (218.7 +/- 24.5, 18.0 +/- 3.7; 183.2 +/- 19.7, 19.0 +/- 3.8; P < 0.05). Ultrastructure examination by transmission electron microscope confirmed the survival of the implanted ganglion.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Major pelvic ganglion can survive in the corpus cavernosum, and it has significant effects on the number of nNOS-containing nerve fibers and the alteration of intracavernous pressure.</p>