Basal release of nitric oxide from endothelial cells modulates contractile activity in the corpus cavernosum via inhibition of the RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling pathway. We aimed to investigate nitric oxide bioavailability, oxidative stress and the Rho-kinase pathway in the relaxation of the corpus cavernosum of an obese and diabetic model of mice (db/db mice). We hypothesized that in db/db mice im...

AIM To study the relaxation mechanisms of tetrandrine (Tet) on the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. METHODS The corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells from New Zealand white rabbits were cultured in vitro. [Ca(2+)](i) was measured by Fluorescence Ion Digital Imaging System, using Fluo-2/AM as a Ca(2+)-sensitive fluorescent indicator. RESULTS Tet (1, 10 and 100 micromol/L) had no effect on th...

BACKGROUND/AIM The effects of chronic ethanol consumption on male sexual function are debateable, and its effects on the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway are unknown. Therefore, we investigated smooth muscle reactivity and Rho/Rho-kinase signalling in the corpus cavernosum of ethanol-fed mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ethanol was added to drinking water at 5% concentration in the first 2 days with 5% incr...

OBJECTIVES Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) is known to play physiological and pathophysiological roles in the cardiovascular system, and MR activation directly damages these organs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of MR and 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 (11β-HSD2) in the human penile corpus cavernosum. METHODS MR and 11β-HSD2 expression was assayed in human peni...

The relaxation of cavernous smooth muscle is critical for inducing and maintaining a penile erection. The neurogenic- and endothelium-dependent relaxation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle and the degenerative effect of subacute ethanol treatment on the endothelial cells of corpus cavernosum was investigated in mice. In the cavernous strips contracted with phenylephrine, electrical field stimu...

Penile fracture is a rare condition. Primarily it is a rupture of the corpus cavernosum that occurs when the penis is erect. The rupture can also affect the corpus spongiosum and the urethra. We report a case of a 37 year old man who presented with acute penile pain, penile swelling and the inability to pass urine after a blunt trauma during sexual intercourse. In emergency surgery we found bil...

© Translational Andrology and Urology. All rights reserved. Transl Androl Urol, 2017;6(S3) tau.amegroups.com (P<0.05). ESWT can promote proliferation of endothelial cells in corpus cavernosum. The result was significantly higher in the ESWT group than in the DMED group (P<0.05). ESWT can improve cell metabolism in vivo. The expression of mitochondrial membrane proteins is higher in the ESWT gro...

background:several investigations showed cartilaginouscells in fibrous tissue of the free part of the penis in one humpedcamel. objectives: the aim of this study was accurate assessmentof existence of cartilaginous cells in penis shaft of onehumpedcamel. methods: six camel penises from maturedcamels more than 3 years-old were collected from an abattoir.different specimens were prepared from eac...

We recently found that the oxytocin receptor (OTR) is expressed in the human and rabbit corpus cavernosum and mediates contractility in vitro. The present study extended our investigations to the rat, and explored whether OTR regulates penile detumescence in vivo. Real-time RT-PCR quantitatively characterized the distribution of OTR mRNA in the male genital tract. Specific transcripts for OTR w...