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Asian Journal of Andrology (2011) 13, 851-855; doi:10.1038/aja.2011.99; published online 29 August 2011
Increased expression of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 is implicated in erectile dysfunction in two-kidney one-clip hypertensive rats after propranolol treatment
Zhang-Yan Zhou*, Zhong-Hua Yang, Xing-Huan Wang, Hong Cao*, Dong Chen, Yong-Zhi Wang, Hai-Hong Zhou, Mou Peng, Quan-Liang Liu and Shao-Ping Wan
Department of Urology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan 430071, China
Correspondence: Dr XH Wang, (urologistwxh@gmail.com)
* These authors contributed equally to this work.
Received 2 February 2011; Revised 11 May 2011; Accepted 29 June 2011; Published online 29 August 2011.
| Abstract |
This study aimed to investigate the role of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) in erectile dysfunction (ED) in two-kidney one-clip (2K–1C) hypertensive rats treated with the β-blocking agent propranolol. Adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: a normal control group, a hypertensive control group and a propranolol treatment group (n=9). After 4 weeks of propranolol treatment, intracavernous pressure (ICP) responses to electrical stimulation of the cavernous nerves were evaluated. The expression of IGFBP-3 and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA and protein in the rat cavernous tissue were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot, respectively. The concentration of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in the cavernous tissue was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cavernosal pressure in response to cavernous nerve stimulation was decreased 4 weeks after propranolol treatment (P<0.01, compared to the hypertensive control group). IGFBP-3 mRNA and protein expression was increased in the propranolol treatment group compared to the hypertensive control group (P<0.01), whereas IGF-1 expression was decreased in the propranolol treatment group compared to the hypertensive control group (P<0.01). In addition, cavernous cGMP concentration was decreased in the propranolol treatment group compared to the hypertensive control group (P<0.01). Taken together, these results suggest that the upregulation of IGFBP-3 may play a role in the development of ED in hypertensive rats.
Keywords: erectile dysfunction; insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3; propranolol; two-kidney one-clip hypertension |
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