Animal model for the study of the relationship between lower urinary tract symptoms/bladder outlet obstruction and erectile dysfunction

Ko Kobayashi, Ryuichi Kato, Shin ichi Hisasue, Shinichi Yamashita, Toshiaki Tanaka, Naoya Masumori, Taiji Tsukamoto

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objectives: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are frequently associated with erectile dysfunction (ED) in aged men, and both significantly influence quality of life. However, the mechanism linking LUTS to ED has not been clarified completely. The purpose of the present study was to establish an animal model of ED following LUTS/bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) and investigate the expression of molecules related to the cause of this type of ED. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats with partial BOO were used as an experimental model of LUTS. Sham-operated animals served as controls. Voiding and erectile function were evaluated 4, 8, and 16weeks after obstruction or sham operation. The mRNA expression of penile tissue genes related to penile corporal smooth muscle relaxation was examined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Results: Voiding and bladder function of BOO rats were significantly worse than in sham-operated rats 4, 8, and 16weeks after obstruction. The erectile function of BOO rats was significantly decreased compared with that of the sham-operated controls (P<0.01) 16weeks after obstruction, although it was similar to that of sham-operated animals at 4 and 8weeks after obstruction. The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) mRNA was significantly decreased 16weeks after obstruction compared with that in sham-operated rats (P<0.01). Conclusion: An animal model for investigations into the association between LUTS and ED is described herein. Endothelial dysfunction induced by impaired eNOS function is likely to be involved in ED following LUTS/BOO.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)710-715
Number of pages6
JournalInternational Journal of Urology
Volume18
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2011 Oct

Keywords

  • Bladder outlet obstruction
  • Endothelial nitric oxide synthase
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Lower urinary tract symptoms

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