Luhao Liu1, Ermao Li1, Futian Li1, Lianmin Luo1, Shankun Zhao1, Ran Kang1, Jintai Luo1, Zhigang Zhao2. 1. Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. 2. Department of Urology and Andrology, Minimally Invasive Surgery Center, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University. Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. Electronic address: zgzhaodr@126.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of testosterone (T) on the phenotypic modulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells in a castrated rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, castration, and castration with T supplementation (castration + T). Erectile function, histologic change, and biochemical markers were assessed for phenotypic modulation of CCSM cells in corporal tissue. Moreover, the primary rat CCSM cells were isolated and examined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Our data showed that serum T level, mean weight of the body, erectile function, and smooth muscle-to-collagen ratio were significantly decreased in the castration group compared with those in the control and castration + T groups. The expressions of CCSM cells' phenotypic markers, such as α-smooth muscle actin, calponin, and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11, were markedly lower, whereas osteopontin protein expression was significantly higher in castrated rats than in control and castrated + T rats. In addition, the immunofluorescence staining of α-smooth muscle actin and calponin markedly decreased in the primary CCSM cells of the castrated rats compared with the intensity of the control and the castration + T rats. CONCLUSION: CCSM cells undergo phenotype modulation in castrated rats, whereas T reversed the alterations. T may play a key role in the phenotype modulation of CCSM cells.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of testosterone (T) on the phenotypic modulation of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) cells in a castrated rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, castration, and castration with T supplementation (castration + T). Erectile function, histologic change, and biochemical markers were assessed for phenotypic modulation of CCSM cells in corporal tissue. Moreover, the primary rat CCSM cells were isolated and examined by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Our data showed that serum T level, mean weight of the body, erectile function, and smooth muscle-to-collagen ratio were significantly decreased in the castration group compared with those in the control and castration + T groups. The expressions of CCSM cells' phenotypic markers, such as α-smooth muscle actin, calponin, and smooth muscle myosin heavy chain 11, were markedly lower, whereas osteopontin protein expression was significantly higher in castrated rats than in control and castrated + T rats. In addition, the immunofluorescence staining of α-smooth muscle actin and calponin markedly decreased in the primary CCSM cells of the castrated rats compared with the intensity of the control and the castration + T rats. CONCLUSION: CCSM cells undergo phenotype modulation in castrated rats, whereas T reversed the alterations. T may play a key role in the phenotype modulation of CCSM cells.
Authors: Thomas Van den Broeck; Mohammad Ayodhia Soebadi; Annelies Falter; Lore Raets; Jolien Duponselle; Joline Lootsma; Alexander Heintz; Uchelly Philtjens; Lien Hofkens; Arantxa Gonzalez-Viedma; Karel Driesen; Peter Sandner; Maarten Albersen; Bert Brône; Koenraad Van Renterghem Journal: Sex Med Date: 2019-11-22 Impact factor: 2.491