Corpus Cavernosum Blood Research Articles

The Role of NGF and Its Receptor TrKA in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction

The aim of our study was to investigate the plasma NGF concentration and TrkA/p75NTR receptor expression on white blood cells (WBCs), in peripheral and corpus cavernosum blood isolated from patients with erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome (ED/MetS). This was a pilot case–control study. Inclusion criteria were as follows: men 18–65 years with ED and MetS and healthy subjects. The first sampling was performed at the level of the cubital vein (VC). Subsequently, 20 μg of intracavernous alprostadil was administered, and a second blood draw from the corpora cavernosa (CC) was performed once erection was achieved. Subsequently, the third blood sample was repeated at the level of the VC. We enrolled 8 cases with ED/MetS and 8 controls. There was no significant difference between the case and control group in terms of mean age (49.3 ± 5.9 and 53.13 ± 8.9, respectively). The case group had a lower IIEF score compared to the control group (14 ± 3.2 versus 27.3 ± 2.1; p < 0.05). Decreased NGF and TrKA expression on WBC and thiols were found in the plasma of ED/MetS patients compared to control. The study showed that patients with ED/MetS had a decrease in plasma NGF and thiol concentration, and they had a decrease in TrKA expression on WBCs.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), angiotensin-(1-7) and Mas receptor in gonadal and reproductive functions.

Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7) is an active peptide formed from Ang I or Ang-(1-9) by multiple proteolytic steps involving angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) 1 and other peptidases, or by a single cleavage of Ang II catalyzed chiefly by ACE2. The effects of Ang-(1-7) are mediated by the G protein-coupled receptor Mas (or Mas1), encoded by the protooncogene MAS. The reproductive system expresses ACE2 quite abundantly and therefore is able to generate Ang-(1-7) using precursor peptides produced locally or taken from circulation. In several mammalian species, Ang-(1-7) stimulates ovarian follicle growth, oocyte maturation and ovulation. The peptide is found in human endometrium, mostly during the secretory phase of menstrual cycle when the uterus is receptive to embryo implantation. Rat models and human observational studies suggest that Ang-(1-7) is part of the maternal adaptive response to pregnancy and its deficiency is associated with poor circulation in the placental bed. Knockout mice revealed a relevant participation of Mas-mediated stimulus to the maintenance of normal spermatogenesis, even though the animal can still reproduce without it. In addition, the vasorelaxant effect of Ang-(1-7) participates in the physiological mechanism of corpus cavernosum blood influx and penile erection. We conclude that preclinical evidence encourages the pursuit of treatments for female and male reproductive dysfunctions based on Mas agonists, starting with its natural ligand Ang-(1-7).

Aphrodisiac Activity of Ethanol Extract of Cratoxylum sumatranum (JACK) Blume Stems on Isolated Rat Corpus cavernosum

Cratoxylum sumatranum (Jack) Blume of the Hypericaceae family is known as “Bentaleng” by Dayak Benuaq. In ethnobotany, Cratoxylum sumatranum stems (CSS) is used as energy drink or aphrodisiac, but its effect has not been scientifically proven. Research objective to study the aphrodisiac activity of CSS extract by screening the aphrodisiac activity in vitro. Method: CSS was collected from Kutai Kertanegara Regency, East Kalimantan Province. Extraction was by maceration with ethanol solvent for three days. Re-maceration was done twice. In vitro screening of aphrodisiac activity used isolated rat corpus cavernosum. The organ was placed into a 10 mL chamber containing Krebs-Henselheit solution at pH 7.4, 37°C and aerated with carbogen gas. After acclimation, a contraction test was performed with phenylephrine solution and after reaching the peak of contraction at plateau the Control (solvent extract) or CSS ethanol extract was administerd at cumulatively increased concentration. Vasodilation activity was known if the contraction response was decreased after the extract’s administration and expressed in percent contraction with negative value. Results: CSS ethanol extract induce vasodilatory response on rat Corpus cavernosum blood vessels. Vasodilation activity is increasing with increasing concentration of extract given compared to Control. Conclusion the aphrodisiac activity of CSS ethanol extracts is directly through the vasodilation action mechanism on blood vessels in the rat corpus cavernosum.

429 The emergency treatment strategy and prognosis of priapism in a Chinese clinic

To explore the emergency treatment principles and prognosis of priapism in a Chinese andrology clinic. The medical records of 24 priapism patients in our emergency department were reviewed retrospectively. The mean age of the patients was 30.6 years (range from 18 to 48 years) with onset time from 4 h to 7 days. Among the 24 patients, twelve patients were caused by injection of vasoactive drugs, 4 patients were accompanied by hematological system diseases, 1 patient had repetitive sex intercourse, 5 patients experienced penile perineal trauma, and the rest 2 patients had no obvious causes. All patients received blood complete cells count, urine analysis, corpus cavernosum blood gas analysis and color Doppler ultrasonography, among which 18 patients were followed with a mean duration of 24 months ranging from 10 to 36 months. According to medical history, corpus cavernosum blood gas analysis and ultrasonography, 16 patients were diagnosed as ischemic priapism, 3 patients were stuttering priapism, and 5 patients were non-ischemic priapism. The venous type priapism patients received initial corpus cavernosum blood suction and α-adrenergic receptor agonist perfusion, whose corpus cavernosum was washed repetitively until its blood color returned to bright red. Ten ischemic priapism patients were recovered after corpus cavernosum blood irragation and α-adrenergic receptor agonist perfusion. The other 5 ineffective ischemic priapism patients received penile corpus cavernosum-glans shunt or penile corpus cavernosum-urethral corpus cavernosum shunt. The rest 1 ischemic priapism patient was treated by bilateral penile corpus cavernosum-great saphenous vein shunt. All 5 non-ischemic priapism patients recovered after 1 to 2 times of highly-selective internal pudendal arteriogram and embolism. Three stuttering priapism patients were received antiandrogen drugs, estrogen and PDE5 inhibitors, whose priapism frequency was ameliorated and controlled. Among the 18 patients under follow-ups, 5 non-ischemic priapism patients maintained erectile function, 10 ischemic priapism patients experienced obvious penile erectile dysfunction, of which 5 patients received penile prosthesis implantation, and 3 stuttering priapism patients maintained partial penile erection.

Anesthetic Management of the Patient with Persistent Penile Erection Developed after Spinal Anesthesia: A case report

A 50-year-old man with bladder cancer had spinal anesthesia for transurethral resection of bladder. After he had spinal block at the level, he developed a persistent penile erection, making it impossible to introduce the 24 French cystoscope. To treat a persistent penile erection, intravenous glycopyrrolate was incrementally given for a total of 0.4 mg. A persistent penile erection was markedly subsided 5 minutes after last 0.2 mg glycopyrrolate was given. Then corpus cavernosum blood was aspirated. The cystoscope was easily introduced, and transurethral resection of bladder proceeded without further complication.

Concentrations of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide in corpus cavernosum and peripheral venous blood during prostaglandin E1-induced erection.

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) has been suggested to play a role as a nonadrenergic, noncholinergic neurotransmitter or neuromodulator involved in the process of erection. Until now, data about fluctuating concentrations of VIP in corpus cavernosum (CC) blood have been controversial. The present study describes a modified radioimmunoassay method that was developed in our laboratory for the determination of VIP in plasma. Examination of 12 patients suffering from impotentia coeundi (6 men with psychogenic impotence, 2 with induratio penis plastica, and 4 with impotence of vascular origin) showed that the concentrations of VIP in corpus cavernosum blood during pharmacologically induced erection did not increase in organically healthy men or in men with impotentia coeundi of vascular origin. The VIP concentrations in peripheral venous blood and those in CC blood were similar.