Pentoxifylline Promotes Recovery of Erectile Function in a Rat Model of Postprostatectomy Erectile Dysfunction

Maarten Albersen,Thomas M Fandel,Haiyang Zhang,Lia Banie,Guiting Lin,Dirk De Ridder,Ching-Shwun Lin,Tom F Lue

doi:10.1016/j.eururo.2010.10.034

Maarten Albersen, Thomas M Fandel + Show 6 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eururo.2010.10.034

Copy DOI

Abstract

BackgroundCavernous nerve (CN) injury during radical prostatectomy (RP) causes CN degeneration and secondary penile fibrosis and smooth muscle cell (SMC) apoptosis. Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a phosphodiesterase inhibitor that further inhibits multiple cytokine pathways involved in nerve degeneration, apoptosis, and fibrosis. ObjectivesTo evaluate whether PTX enhances erectile function in a rat model of CN injury. Design, Setting and InterventionsForty male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent CN crush injury and were randomized to oral gavage feeding of phosphate-buffered saline (vehicle) or PTX 25, PTX 50, or PTX 100mg/kg per day. Ten animals underwent sham surgery and received vehicle treatment. Treatment continued for 28 d, followed by a wash-out period of 72h. An additional eight rats underwent resection of the major pelvic ganglion (MPG) for tissue culture and examination of direct effects of PTX on neurite sprouting. MeasurementsIntracavernous pressure recording on CN electrostimulation, immunohistologic examination of the penis and the CN distal to the injury site, and length of neurite sprouts in MPG culture. ResultsDaily oral gavage feeding of PTX resulted in significant improvement of erectile function compared to vehicle treatment in all treated groups. After treatment with PTX 50 and PTX 100mg/kg per day, the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase in the dorsal penile nerve was significantly higher than in vehicle-treated rats. Furthermore, PTX treatment prevented collagen deposition and SMC loss in the corpus cavernosum. In the CN, signs of Wallerian degeneration were ameliorated by PTX treatment. MPG culture in medium containing PTX resulted in a significant increase of neurite length. ConclusionsPTX treatment following CN injury in rats improved erectile recovery, enhanced nerve regeneration, and preserved the corpus cavernosum microarchitecture. The clinical availability of this compound merits application in penile rehabilitation studies following RP in the near future.

Full Text