Downregulation of TGF-beta1 Expression in Penile Corpus Cavernosum by Antisense TGF-beta1 Oligonucleotides in Diabetic Rat / 대한남성과학회지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides on the expression of TGF-beta1 in the penile corpus cavernosum of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty Sprague-Dawley male rats (200-210 g) were divided into two groups control (n=10) and experimental group (n=30). The experimental group was received intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg). After 2 weeks, development of diabetes was verified by measuring body weight and blood sugar levels. The experimental group was divided further into 3 groups vehicle (liposome only), sense oligomer group, and antisense oligomer (5'-CCGAGGGCGGCATGGGGGA-3') group. Penile tissues were used to perform Western analysis and immunohistochemistry for the TGF-beta1 expression. RESULTS: The mean glucose concentrations were 86 9 mg/dl in the control group and 485 119 mg/dl in the experimental group. Downregulation of TGF-beta1 protein expression was noted in the antisense oligomer group compared to sense oligomer group. In the immunohistochemistry, control group showed weak immunoreactivity whereas vehicle or sense oligomer group showed strong immunoreactivity both after 1 and 5 days of treatment. Antisense oligomer treated diabetic group showed weak immunoreactivity similar to control group after 1 day of treatment, even though they showed similar immunoreactivity as vehicle or sense oligomer group after 5 days of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides suppressed the expression of TGF-beta1 in the corpus cavernosum of diabetic rats. It implies that penile corpus cavernosal fibrosis may be prevented by the application of antisense TGF-beta1 oligonucleotides.