713 EXPRESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF KEY ENZYMES OF THE CYCLIC GMP SIGNALING IN THE HUMAN CLITORIS

Abstract

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction/Andrology: Basic Research I1 Apr 2010713 EXPRESSION AND DISTRIBUTION OF KEY ENZYMES OF THE CYCLIC GMP SIGNALING IN THE HUMAN CLITORIS Stefan Ückert, Matthias Oelke, Knut Albrecht, Dirk Breitmeier, Markus Kuczyk, and Petter Hedlund Stefan ÜckertStefan Ückert Hannover, Germany More articles by this author , Matthias OelkeMatthias Oelke Hannover, Germany More articles by this author , Knut AlbrechtKnut Albrecht Hannover, Germany More articles by this author , Dirk BreitmeierDirk Breitmeier Hannover, Germany More articles by this author , Markus KuczykMarkus Kuczyk Hannover, Germany More articles by this author , and Petter HedlundPetter Hedlund Milan, Italy More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2010.02.1154AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The human clitoris contributes mainly to the normal female sexual response cycle. A significance of cyclic GMP has been assumed in the control of clitoral vascular smooth muscle. Recent research presented the expression of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5, cyclic GMP-specific PDE) in clitoral erectile tissue (UROLOGY 67: 1111-1116, 2006). However, knowledge on the mechanisms controlling this particular female genital organ is still sparse. This prompted us to evaluate in the human clitoris by means of immunohistochemistry the expression and distribution in relation to PDE5 of key enzymes of the cyclic GMP pathway: the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), PDE2 (cyclic GMP-binding PDE), PDE5, and protein kinase G (cGK, cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase). METHODS Human clitoral tissue was obtained from four female cadavers (age at death 18 y - 42 y). Sections of clitoral tissue were incubated (for 24 h) with antibodies directed against eNOS, PDE2, PDE5 and cGK followed by exposure for 2 h to fluorochrome-labeled (fluorescein isothiocyanate, Texas Red) secondary antibodies. Visualization was commenced by means of laser fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS Immunohistochemistry revealed the presence of PDE2, PDE5 and cGK in the smooth muscle wall of blood vessels transversing the clitoral supepithelial space. These vessels were characterized by the expression of NOS in the cells of the endothelial layer. Immunoreactivity specific for PDE2 was also identified in a meshwork of interstitial-like cells located in the basal epithelial layer. No signals specific for PDE2 and cGK were detected in non-vascular clitoral smooth muscle. CONCLUSIONS The results are in favour of a role of the cyclic GMP signaling in the control of clitoral blood flow. It seems likely that the cyclic GMP-binding PDE2 is also involved in the mechanism of local afferent transmission in the clitoris. The data may provide further rationale for the use of drugs interfering with the cyclic GMP pathway in the pharmacotherapy of female sexual arousal disorders. © 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 183Issue 4SApril 2010Page: e278 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Stefan Ückert Hannover, Germany More articles by this author Matthias Oelke Hannover, Germany More articles by this author Knut Albrecht Hannover, Germany More articles by this author Dirk Breitmeier Hannover, Germany More articles by this author Markus Kuczyk Hannover, Germany More articles by this author Petter Hedlund Milan, Italy More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement Loading ...