Characterization and localization of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the BB/WOR diabetic rat.

PURPOSE: Erectile dysfunction is a common pathological development in individuals with diabetes mellitus. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is essential for regulation of normal penile erection and NOS protein activity has been shown to be altered with diabetes. Several different isoforms and subtypes of NOS exist. However, little is known about how the distribution and abundance of these isoforms are altered with diabetes. We characterized the distribution and abundance of NOS isoforms and explored how they are altered with diabetes and result in erectile failure. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In situ hybridization and quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were done to measure the abundance and distribution of NOS-Ia, NOS-Ib, NOS-Ic, NOS-II and NOS-III in control and diabetic (BB/WOR) rats. Protein was localized by immunohistochemical analysis and alterations in protein abundance with diabetes were examined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: NOS-I, NOS-II and NOS-III were observed in the endothelium lining the cavernous spaces and in the epithelium of the urethra. NOS-I protein was also present in the nerves of control and diabetic penes. We observed an increase in NOS-II expression around the dorsal nerves of diabetic penes, a decrease in NOS-III expression in diabetic pelvic ganglia and a decrease in NOS-Ib expression in the diabetic penis. NOS-I protein abundance was significantly decreased in diabetic pelvic ganglia. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge this is the first report of regional differences in the distribution of NOS-III in the urethra and altered NOS-Ib gene expression with diabetes.

Protein and gene expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms I and III in the rat penile shaft.

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) plays a key role in penile smooth muscle relaxation through the regulation of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a major neurotransmitter in the autonomic nervous system, and alteration of its activity has been implicated in erectile dysfunction. The objectives of this study were twofold: 1) to demonstrate and localize the NOS protein isoforms I and III in the normal rat penis, and 2) to identify and quantitate NOS I and III gene expression in the normal rat penis. The gene and protein product of NOS isoforms I and III are expressed in rat penile tissue. Protein expression of NOS I was confined primarily to neuronal tissue, while NOS III protein expression was identified primarily in both cavernosal smooth muscle and endothelium. The presence of both NOS I and III was confirmed in the penile shaft by Western blot. Quantitation of NOS I and III gene expression by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed NOS III to be more highly expressed than that of NOS I in the rat penile shaft. NOS I and III protein and gene products are both expressed in normal rat penile tissue. Protein expression is localized primarily to neuronal tissue for NOS I, whereas NOS III is localized primarily to cavernosal smooth muscle and endothelium. NOS III gene expression is greater than that of NOS I in the normal rat penile shaft. These findings support the possibility that penile erection is regulated by different NOS isoforms released from neural, endothelial, and smooth muscle sources.

Sildenafil causes a dose- and time-dependent downregulation of phosphodiesterase type 6 expression in the rat retina.

OBJECTIVES: Some authors have advocated the daily use of sildenafil for prophylaxis against, or treatment of, erectile dysfunction. However, no information has been published to support such a dosage regimen. The safety profile of uninterrupted use of sildenafil has not been evaluated as it pertains to alteration of PDE type 6 in the retina. In the present study we investigated whether short- or long-term exposure to a variety of sildenafil doses affect the expression of an enzyme important in the normal phototransduction cascade. METHODS: Sustained-release sildenafil pellets were implanted in 120-day-old male rats with concentrations from 1-200mg. Rat retinal tissue was harvested 7, 14, and 29 days after implantation. Quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) using GAPDH as an endogenous internal standard was used to quantitate PDE type 6 gene expression. RESULTS: Expression of PDE type 6 was upregulated after 7 days with dosages < or =5 mg (P<0.02). Significant downregulation of PDE type 6 expression was first noted with high dose sildenafil 14 days after implantation (P<0.02). Expression of PDE type 6 was significantly and profoundly downregulated 29 days after implantation for all pellet formulations > or =10 mg (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Sildenafil downregulates PDE type 6 expression in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. These findings support the explanation that PDE type 6 inhibition causes the dose-dependent clinical effects of visual disturbance in men taking sildenafil. Implications for long-term, daily use of sildenafil in men are not clear.

Protein kinase-C activation stimulates synthesis of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptors, but does not mediate GnRH-stimulated receptor synthesis.

Gonadotropes respond to GnRH with LH synthesis and release, desensitization, changes in GnRH receptor number, and GnRH receptor synthesis. Activation of protein kinase-C (PKC) appears to be involved in LH beta gene expression, but is not required for acute LH release, desensitization, or receptor down-regulation. The present studies were conducted to determine whether PKC mediates GnRH-stimulated receptor synthesis. We have adapted the density shift technique to measure the synthesis of GnRH receptors in pituitary culture. Pituitary cells from female weanling rats were exposed to medium containing treatments, dense amino acids (greater than 95% 13C, 15N, and 2H), dialyzed horse serum (10%, vol/vol), and fetal calf serum (2.5%, vol/vol). Treatments consisted of medium alone, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), phorbol dibutyrate (PdBu), or GnRH. To deplete cells of PKC, cultures were exposed for 8-16 h to 1 microM PMA. Short term treatment with PKC activators (PMA or PdBu, 1 microM) or GnRH (0.1 nM) was given for 30 min. After treatment, GnRH receptors were covalently linked to [125I]Tyr5-azidobenzoyl-D-Lys6-GnRH and solubilized. Newly synthesized (densely labeled) GnRH receptors were separated from normal receptors by velocity sedimentation (156,000 X g; 24 h; 0-20% sucrose) and quantified by gamma-spectroscopy. Treatment with GnRH significantly stimulated the synthesis of GnRH receptors. Treatment of pituitary cell cultures with PMA (8-16 h) also stimulated the synthesis of GnRH receptors, although to a lesser extent than that observed after GnRH treatment. The synthesis of GnRH receptors in response to 0.1 nM GnRH was not different in cells with a normal complement of PKC compared to those depleted of PKC activity. This indicates that the ability of GnRH to stimulate the synthesis of its own receptor is not mediated by PKC. Short term treatment of cell cultures with 1 microM PMA or PdBu (30 min) stimulated GnRH receptor synthesis similar to treatment with 0.1 nM GnRH. When PMA and GnRH were administered simultaneously, GnRH receptor synthesis was stimulated to a greater extent than with either agent alone, suggesting differing mechanisms of action. These results indicate that although activators of PKC can stimulate the synthesis of GnRH receptors, PKC does not mediate the effects of GnRH on homologous receptor synthesis.