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Non-genomic effects of androgens on isolated human vascular and nonvascular penile erectile tissue

På svenska

Author

  • Eginhard Waldkirch
  • Stefan Ucker
  • Dirk Schultheiss
  • Ulrike Geismar
  • Carola Bruns
  • Friedemann Scheller
  • Udo Jonas
  • Armin J. Becker
  • Christian G. Stief
  • Petter Hedlund

Summary, in English

OBJECTIVES To evaluate non-genomic effects of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on isolated human cavernosal arteries (HCA) and corpus cavernosum (HCC) using organ-bath studies and radio-immunoassays (RIA), as non-genomic effects of androgens are reported for vascular smooth musculature and there is evidence that the relaxant response involves a modulation of cyclic nucleotide tissue levels. MATERIALS AND METHODS The relaxation induced by the cumulative addition of testosterone and DHT (0.01-10 mu M) was studied using circular segments of HCA and strip preparations of HCC. To evaluate the effects of testosterone and DHT on tissue levels of cAMP and cGMP, specimens were exposed to increasing concentrations of the hormones. Forskolin and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) served as reference compounds. RESULTS Testosterone and DHT dose-dependently reversed the noradrenaline-induced tension of vascular segments and HCC strips. At the maximum concentration, testosterone and DHT reduced the mean (SD) tension to 79.8 (4.43)% and 83.9 (10.94)%, respectively. SNP and forskolin significantly stimulated the production of cGMP and cAMP. No effects of testosterone and DHT on cGMP and cAMP levels were detected. CONCLUSION Rapid androgen-induced relaxation of HCA and HCC occurs via non-genomic mechanisms. In penile erectile tissue, non-genomic relaxant effects of testosterone and DHT are not mediated via modulation of cyclic nucleotide tissue levels. Additional studies are required to establish if non-genomic relaxant effects are important in ensuring a basal level of perfusion to maintain overall penile function.

Publishing year

2008

Language

English

Pages

71-74

Publication/Series

BJU International

Volume

101

Issue

1

Document type

Journal article

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell

Topic

  • Urology and Nephrology

Keywords

  • dihydrotestosterone
  • cavernosal arteries
  • corpus cavernosum
  • non-genomic effects
  • hypogonadism
  • testosterone

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 1464-4096