Correlation of carbon monoxide with cell apoptosis in the penile tissue of aging rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the pathogenesis of male sexual dysfunction by studying cell apoptosis and carbonate monoxide (CO) contents in the penile tissue of rats at different ages.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We equally divided 24 male Wistar rats into an adult group (8 months old), an elderly group (16 months old) and an aged group (24 months old), and detected cell apoptosis by HE staining and TUNEL and CO levels in the penile tissues of different groups by modified dual-wavelength spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cell apoptosis increased with aging: 4.38 +/- 1.06 in the adult, 9.38 +/- 1.69 in the elderly and 18.50 +/- 1.60 in the aged group, while the CO content decreased with aging: 12.19 +/- 0.87 in the adult, 7.93 +/- 0.63 in the elderly and 5.68 +/- 0.62 in the aged group, both with statistically significant differences among the 3 groups (P < 0.05). The change of cell apoptosis showed a good negative correlation with that of the CO content (r = -0.889, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cell apoptosis and CO content change in the penile tissue of aging rats, and CO may participate in the development of ED by regulating cell apoptosis.</p>

Effects of plasma Hcy on the contents of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in the activities of carbon monoxide (CO) and heme oxygenase 2 (HO-2) in ED rats with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 40 male Wistar rats weighing 280 - 310 g, 10 as normal controls (group A). HHcy models were made in the other 30 by giving 3% methionine for 4 weeks, and then divided into groups B, C and D. The rats in group B continued to be fed with 3% methionine, those in group C were treated with betaine hydrochloride, and those in group D were given zinc porphyrin IX at 45 micromol per kg per d. Penile erections of the rats were recorded, and 4 weeks later, all were killed for determination of the levels of homocysteine (Hcy) in the blood plasma and the activities of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The level of plasma Hcy, penile erection frequency and the content of CO in the corpus cavernosum were (12.55 +/- 0.82) micromol/L, (1.88 +/- 0.05) times and (10.55 +/- 1.73) micromol/L in group A, the Hcy level significantly higher while the penile erection frequency and CO content remarkably lower than in group B ([25.01 +/- 0.94] micromol/L, [0.70 +/- 0.05] times and [9.51 +/- 1.52] micromol/L, P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), with a negative correlation between the level of Hcy and that of CO and HO-2 (P < 0.01). Compared with group B, the three parameters were all significantly increased in C ([14.37 +/- 0.47] micromol/L, [1.18 +/- 0.08] times and [10.36 +/- 1.56] micromol/L, all P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased expressions of CO and HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of the penis may result in ED in HHcy rats. Betaine can reduce the Hcy level in the blood plasma and CO content in the corpus cavernosum, which might be one of the mechanisms of its action on ED with HHcy.</p>

Correlation of homocysteine in plasma with NOS and endogenous CO in the penile corpus cavernosum of type 2 diabetic rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation of homocysteine (Hcy) in plasma with nitric oxide synthetase (NOS) and endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) in the penile corpus cavernosum of type 2 diabetic rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study included 40 male Wistar rats, 10 as controls (Group A) and the other 30 as diabetes mellitus (DM) models. Four weeks after the model establishment, the model rats were divided into a DM group (Group B, n = 10), an insulin treated group (Group C, n = 10), and a folic acid and vitamin B12 treated group (Group D, n = 10). All the rats were injected with apomorphine and observed for penile erection at 8 and 12 weeks, and the levels of total plasma Hcy (tHcy), NOS and CO in the penile corpus cavernosum were measured at 12 weeks.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Compared with Group A, the level of tHcy was significantly increased, while NOS and CO activities in the penile cavernous tis-sue and erectile function remarkably decreased in Group B (P < 0.01). The incidence rate of high Hcy was 55% in the DM rats. In comparison, the level of tHcy was obviously decreased, and the NOS activity and erectile function markedly increased in Groups C and D (P < 0.01). The Hcy level showed a significant negative correlation with NOS activity (rA = -0.89, rB = -0.76, rc = -0.91, rD = -0.91) and CO content (TA = -0.82, r, = -0.77, rc = -0.93, rD = -0.81).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>High plasma Hcy can decrease NOS and CO activities in the penile corpus cavernosum, and consequently induce erectile dysfunction in DM rats, while insulin, folic acid and vitamin B12 can improve their penile erectile function by increasing NOS and CO activities.</p>

Aging reduces contents of endogenous CO, cAMP and cGMP in rat penile tissues / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the relationship of aging with the changes of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO), cGMP and cAMP contents in the penile tissues of rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-four male rats were equally divided into an 8-month, a 16-month and a 24-month group, and their penile erection was detected by injecting apomorphine, their penile cavernous body harvested, and the contents of CO, cAPM and cGMP detected by improved dual wavelength spectrophotometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The contents of CO, cAPM and cGMP were reduced with the increase of age, with statistically significant differences between the three age groups (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Aging significantly decreased the contents of CO, cAMP and cGMP in the penile tissues of the rats, which suggests that aging might play an important role in erectile dysfunction.</p>

Intervention effect of ganoderma lucidum spores on the changes of XOD, MPO and SDH in the testis tissue of NIDDM rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the changes of xanthine oxidase (XOD), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and mitochondrial succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in the testis and the protective effect of ganoderma lucidum spores on the testicular tissue of rats with non-insu- lin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into a model, a ganoderma and a normal control group, the first two groups injected with 2% STZ (25 mg/kg) through the peritoneum, and the last one with half-and-half sodium citrate/citrate buffer solution. Two weeks after normal diet, glucose tolerance tests were performed and the rats with abnormal glucose tolerance in the model and ganoderma groups received high-fat and high-carbohydrate food, the latter given ganoderma lycium spores (250 mg/kg x d) in addition, both for 10 weeks and all rats fed alone. Glucose tolerance tests were repeated 1 day before the end of the experiment and the testes of the rats were harvested for the determination of XOD, MPO and SDH.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>SDH was significantly lower (P < 0.05) while XOD and MPO significantly higher in the model group than in the ganoderma and control groups (P < 0.05). The model rats exhibited abnormal convoluted seminiferous tubules, indistinct parietal layers, decreased or abolished gonepoiesis, luminal peripheral fibrous tissue (interstitial substance) accrementition, basal lamina thickening, and vessel wall fibrous tissue accrementition and sclerosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Ganoderma lucidum spores can protect the testis of diabetic rats by reducing free radical-induced damage to the testicular tissue and enhancing the activity of SDH.</p>

Effects of ganoderma lucidum spores on mitochondrial calcium ion and cytochrome C in epididymal cells of type 2 diabetes rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of ganoderma lucidum spores (GLS) on mitochondrial calcium ion and cytochrome C in the epididymal cells of type 2 diabetes rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty adolescent rats were randomly divided into a model group (n=20), a GLS group (n=20) and a control group (n=10). The animals of the former two groups were injected with 2% STZ via vena caudalis for one time to induce type 2 diabetes. Then the model group was given high-fat-sugar diet, the GLS group high-fat-sugar diet + GLS (250 mg/kg x d), and the control group normal diet + CA-citrate sodium buffer. The bilateral epididymides were obtained 10 weeks later and the contents of mitochondrial calcium and cytochrome C detected.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Type 2 diabetes models were successfully constructed. The content of mitochondrial calcium in the epididymal cells was significantly higher in the model group ([3.279 +/- 0.502] mg/L) than in the control group ([2.606 +/- 0.048] mg/L, P < 0.01), with no significant difference between the GLS group ([2.693 +/- 0. 196] mg/L) and the control (P > 0.05). In the model group, the content of mitochondrial cytochrome C ([3.213 +/- 1.511] micromol/L) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) while that of cytoplasm cytochrome C ([2.484 +/- 0.661] micromol/L) significantly higher (P < 0.05) than in the control ([5.688 +/- 1.679] micromol/L and [1.574 +/- 0.329] micromol/L, respectively). In the GLS group, the content of mitochondrial cytochrome C ([5.258 +/- 1.560] micromol/L) was higher, with no significant difference (P > 0.05), and that of cytoplasm cytochrome C ([1.727 +/- 0.396] micromol/L) significantly lower than in the model group (P < 0.05), but the difference between the GLS and the control group was not significant (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>With disequilibrium of calcium homeostasis and damage to mitochondria, there might be excessive apoptosis in the epididymal cells of type 2 diabetes rats. Ganoderma lucidum spores could protect epididymal cells and counteract their apoptosis in diabetic condition.</p>

Effects of ganoderma lucidum spores on cytochrome C and mitochondrial calcium in the testis of NIDDM rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To observe the effects of Ganoderma lucidum spores on Cytochrome C (Cyt-C) and mitochondrial calcium in the testis of NIDDM rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty male Wistar rats were divided randomly into three groups: model, ganoderma and normal control, the first two groups injected with 2% STZ through vena caudalis, and the last one with half-and-half sodium citrate/citrate buffer solution. Two weeks after normal diet, glucose tolerance tests were performed and the rats with abnormal glucose tolerance from the model and ganoderma groups received high-fat and high-carbohydrate food, the ganoderma group given Ganoderma lucidum spores (250mg/[ kg x d] ) in addition, both for 10 weeks. Glucose tolerance tests were repeated 1 day before the end of the experiment and the rats were castrated and relevant indexes measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The NIDDM model was successfully constructed. In the model group, the levels of mitochondrial Cyt-C and mitochondrial calcium were significantly lower (P <0. 05) while that of the plasma Cyt-C was significantly higher than in the ganoderma and the control groups.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Cyt-C and calcium ion are involved in the damage of the testis. Ganoderma lucidum spores can protect the testis of NIDDM rats.</p>

Effect of endogenous carbon monoxide on the smooth muscle function of dog penile corpus cavernosum in vitro / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the effect of endogenous carbon monoxide (CO) on the smooth muscle function of the dog penile corpus cavernosum in vitro.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Tissue bioassay was used to measure the corpus cavernosum muscle contraction and relaxation. The production of CO was induced in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle, and the effect of CO on the penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle pre-contracted by phenylephrine (PE) was determined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Chlorinous hemoglobin could relax the smooth muscle stripes pre-contracted by 10 micromol/L PE. A dose-dependent relaxation was observed. The relaxation responses by 10 -100 micromol/L chlorinous hemoglobin were significant compared with the control group (P < 0. 01). The pretreatment of the muscle stripes with ZnPP-IX or methylthioninium significantly reduced the relaxing effect of chlorinous hemoglobin (P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The relaxing effect of endogenous CO on the smooth muscle of the penile corpus cavernosum depends on the concentration of endogenous CO. The underlying mechanism may involve the pathway from CO to cGMP production.</p>

The changes of IL-1 and NO levels in the testes of rats with experimental varicocele / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To evaluate the effects of varicocele (VC) on IL-1 and NO levels in testes of rats with VC.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Male adult Wistar rats were divided into two groups randomly, VC group (n = 30) and pseudo-operation group (n = 20), and the levels of IL-1 and NO in the testes were determined and compared.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The levels of IL-1 and No of left tests in VC group were higher than those in pseudo-operation group, respectively(P < 0.01). While the levels of IL-1 and NO of right testes between two groups were not significantly different (P > 0.05). More over, the level of IL-1 correlated significantly with that of NO(r = 0.572, P < 0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The results revealed that the changes of IL-1 and NO levels in the testes of rats with VC might be the reason which caused testes damage, disturbance of spermatogenesis and even infertility.</p>