You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction/Andrology: Basic Research I1 Apr 2010712 ELEVATED RHOA/RHO-KINASE ACTIVITY IN THE HYPERLIPIDEMIC RABBIT PENIS: MECHANISM FOR HYPERLIPIDEMIA-ASSOCIATED ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION Jihong Liu, Fan Jinhan, Ke Rao, Guoying Song, Huixing Yuan, Ruibao Chen, Tao Wang, Shaogang Wang, Weiming Yang, and Zhangqun Ye Jihong LiuJihong Liu Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , Fan JinhanFan Jinhan Xi'an, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , Ke RaoKe Rao Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , Guoying SongGuoying Song Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , Huixing YuanHuixing Yuan Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , Ruibao ChenRuibao Chen Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , Tao WangTao Wang Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , Shaogang WangShaogang Wang Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , Weiming YangWeiming Yang Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author , and Zhangqun YeZhangqun Ye Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2010.02.1153AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES RhoA/Rho-kinase(ROCK) is a novel player in the regulation of contraction of penile corpora cavernosa smooth muscles. In some pathological conditions, elevated RhoA/ROCK activity contributes to the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction(ED). We hypothesized that hyperlipidemia involve the alteration of the RhoA / ROCK signaling cascade and will induce ED in a hyperlipidemic rabbit model. METHODS Male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into control and experiment groups. The control group (n = 20) received a regular diet for 8 weeks, while the experimental group (n = 20) were fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 8 weeks. After 8 weeks, in vivo electrical stimulation-induced erection was investigated in the two groups, in vitro contractility studies were conducted. RhoA and ROCK1 mRNA levels in corpora cavernosa were detected by Real-time RT-PCR. And the protein expression levels of RhoA, ROCK1 and ROCK2 were determined with western blot. RESULTS In the experimental group, the body weight and total serum cholesterol (TC) were significantly higher after 8 weeks of the cholesterol diet (P<0.05).The TC was significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group after 8 weeks of the diet(P<0.05). In vivo, measuring intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial blood pressure(MAP) upon electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerve demonstrated that erectile function was significantly lower in experimental group than that in control group(P<0.05). In vitro, the contractility responses to phenylephrine in experiment group were significantly improved (P < 0.01) compared with the control group. The relaxation responses to fasudil (rho-kinase inhibitor) in experimental group were significantly reduced (P < 0.01) compared with the control group. In the two groups, no differences were found in the mRNA expression levels of RhoA and ROCK1. Western blot analysis results showed that there were no significant changes in protein expressions levels of RhoA and ROCK1. However, membrane-bound RhoA and ROCK2 protein expressions levels were increased significantly in experiment group(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS It is concluded that impaired erectile function during the hyperlipidemia process involves increased RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling, and this pathway may be exploited for the treatment of ED induced by hyperlipidemia. © 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 183Issue 4SApril 2010Page: e277-e278 Peer Review Report Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2010 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Jihong Liu Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Fan Jinhan Xi'an, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Ke Rao Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Guoying Song Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Huixing Yuan Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Ruibao Chen Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Tao Wang Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Shaogang Wang Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Weiming Yang Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Zhangqun Ye Wuhan, People's Republic of China More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...