Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
2197332 | Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology | 2009 | 7 Pages |
Abstract
Vcsa1 plays an important role in the erectile physiology of the rat. We conducted experiments to determine if erectile function, testosterone levels and Vcsa1 expression were correlated. In orchiectomized rats, total testosterone in blood fell from an average of 4Â ng/ml to <0.04Â ng/ml. Erectile function was significantly lower compared to controls and Vcsa1 expression was significantly (>6-fold) decreased. Injection of orchiectomized animals with testosterone (2Â mg in 100Â ml sesame oil every 4 days for 2 weeks) restored average levels of testosterone to 2Â ng/ml, increased erectile function and significantly increased Vcsa1 expression. In isolated corporal cells there was testosterone dependent Vcsa1 expression. However, intracorporal injection of orchiectomized animals with a plasmid expressing Vcsa1 or its gene product Sialorphin (previously demonstrated to improve erectile function in old animals) gave no significant improvement in erectile function. Also, the ability of Sialorphin to reduce tension in corporal smooth muscle strips isolated from orchiectomized animals was impaired compared to controls.
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Authors
Rowena G. Chua, Giulia Calenda, Xinhua Zhang, Joseph Siragusa, Yuehong Tong, Moses Tar, Memduh Aydin, Michael E. DiSanto, Arnold Melman, Kelvin P. Davies,