Comparison of the effects of prostanoids on human penile circumflex veins and corpus cavernosum tissue.

Abstract

The mechanical effects of the prostaglandins PGE1, PGE2, PGF2 alpha and PGI2 were investigated in human isolated penile circumflex veins (CV) and corpus cavernosum (CC) tissue. PGE1 did not affect resting tension, while the compound produced relaxation of both CC and CV preparations after precontraction with noradrenaline (NA) 3 x 10(-6)M. PGE2 produced contraction in CC and CV preparations. After precontraction with NA, however, relaxation was induced in both tissues. PGF2 alpha induced contraction in CC and CV preparations, while no relaxant responses were seen in preparations precontracted with NA. PGI2 produced no mechanical effects in unstimulated CV preparations, whereas dose-related contraction was induced in CC tissue strips. After precontraction with NA, PGI2 showed no effect in 2 of 6 CC preparations, while relaxation was seen in 4. In CV preparations precontracted with NA, PGI2 produced relaxation. Local synthesis of prostanoids may influence resting tension and modulate NA-induced responses not only in human penile CC but also in CV smooth muscle.