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Zhang-Yan Zhou, Fei Li, Shao-Ping Cheng, Hui Huang, Bi-Wen Peng, Jing Wang, Chang-Mao Liu, Cheng Xing, Ya-Ling Sun, Najeeb Bsoul, Hui Pan, Cun-Jian Yi, Rong-Hua Liu, Guang-Jun Zhong
(Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Yangtze University, Jingzhou, China (mainland))
Med Sci Monit 2015; 21:94-99
DOI: 10.12659/MSM.891382
Background:
The aim of this study was to determine if shRNA constructs targeting insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 can rehabilitate decreased serum testosterone concentrations in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.
Material and Methods:
After 12 weeks of intracavernous administration of IGFBP-3 shRNA, intracavernous pressure responses to electrical stimulation of cavernous nerves were evaluated. The expression of IGFBP-3 at mRNA and protein levels was detected by quantitative real-time PCR analysis and Western blot, respectively. The concentrations of serum testosterone and cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
After 12 weeks of intracavernous administration of IGFBP-3 shRNA, the cavernosal pressure was significantly increased in response to the cavernous nerves stimulation compared to the diabetic control group (p<0.01). Cavernous IGFBP-3 expression at both mRNA and protein levels was significantly inhibited. Both serum testosterone and cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations were significantly increased in the IGFBP-3 shRNA treatment group compared to the diabetic control group (p<0.01).
Conclusions:
These results suggest that IGFBP-3 shRNA may rehabilitate erectile function via increases of concentrations of serum testosterone and cavernous cyclic guanosine monophosphate in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.