Abstract
The association between diabetes mellitus and erectile dysfunction has been studied for many years. Erectile dysfunction secondary to angiopathic, neuropathic and myopathic damage is one of the main complications of diabetes in men. Other reproductive complications include ejaculatory dysfunction, hypogonadism, modified semen parameters, and delayed puberty. On the other hand, ethanol has various effects too, on male sexual activity, in small amounts improves erection and increases libido because of its vasodilatory effect; however, large amounts can cause central sedation, decreased libido, impaired the penile tumescence, and transient erectile dysfunction. Chronic alcoholism may cause hypogonadism and polineuropathy that may affect penile nerve function. Therefore, chronic alcoholism induced dysfunction of smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum in rats. Although, effects of ethanol on the ultrastructure of cavernosal smooth muscle cells, elastic fibers and collagen content; and apoptosis in the erectile tissues of diabetic rats has been showed, no studies have been done to analyse the apoptotic effects of the diabetes associated with ethanol in the corpus cavernosum in rats.ObjectivesTo investigate the effects of chronic ethanol consumption and diabetes on apoptotic process in the corpus cavernosum.Material and MethodsMale Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, diabetic (alloxan injection), ethanol, and ethanol‐diabetic (12 rats in each group). Fragments of corpus cavernosum were obtained and destined to the immunohistochemistry and real‐time PCR to analyze the protein expression of apoptotic genes CASPASE‐3, and CASPASE‐9.ResultsThe immunoreactivity of CASPASE‐3 and CASPASE‐9 was diffuse and higher in the treated groups, however there was no significant difference between the experimental groups, only when compared with the control group. An increase was observed in the gene expression of CASPASE‐3 and CASPASE‐9 in the diabetic and ethanol‐diabetic groups when compared with to control and ethanol groups.ConclusionsThere was an increase in apoptosis in ethanol and ethanol‐diabetic rats. The association of these factors (ethanol and diabetes), jointly with neuropathy and arteriopathy could lead to development of erectile dysfunction.
Highlights
Erectile dysfunction affects more than 50% of diabetic men and is approximately 3.5 times more prevalent than in non-diabetic men[1]
In addition to the clinical symptoms presented above, it is known that Diabetes mellitus (DM) disrupts the functions and dynamics of mitochondria, which play a key role in regulating metabolic pathways and are crucial for maintaining proper energy balance[4]
Most protein expression was found in the animals of the experimental groups, diabetic, alcoholic, and diabetic-alcoholic, when compared to the control group (Fig. 1)
Summary
Erectile dysfunction affects more than 50% of diabetic men and is approximately 3.5 times more prevalent than in non-diabetic men[1]. The association between Diabetes mellitus (DM) and erectile dysfunction has been studied for many years. Erectile dysfunction secondary to angiopathic, neuropathic and myopathic damage is one of the main complications of diabetes in men. Other reproductive complications include ejaculatory dysfunction, hypogonadism, modified semen parameters, and delayed puberty[3]. In addition to the clinical symptoms presented above, it is known that DM disrupts the functions and dynamics of mitochondria, which play a key role in regulating metabolic pathways and are crucial for maintaining proper energy balance[4]. In many multisystem disorders caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, germ cell death occurs before sexual maturity[5]. Mitochondria have a variety of cellular functions and pathologies, including cell signaling, cell metabolism, cell death, aging, and cancer[6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
