Expression profiles of eNOS, iNOS and microRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum of rats submitted to chronic alcoholism and Diabetes mellitus

• Published in: Acta cirurgica brasileira Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 38 - 45
• Main Authors: Cunha, Joao Paulo da, Lizarte, Neto, Fermino Sanches, Novais, Paulo Cezar, Gattas, Daniela, Carvalho, Camila Albuquerque Mello de, Tirapelli, Daniela Pretti da Cunha, Molina, Carlos Augusto Fernandes, Tirapelli, Luis Fernando, Tucci, Junior, Silvio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Sociedade Brasileira para o Desenvolvimento da Pesquisa em Cirurgia 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Alcoholism; Alcoholism - complications; Alcoholism - metabolism; Alcoholism - physiopathology; Animals; Diabetes Mellitus; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - complications; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - metabolism; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - physiopathology; Erectile Dysfunction; Immunohistochemistry; Male; MicroRNAs - analysis; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II - analysis; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III - analysis; Penis - chemistry; Penis - physiopathology; Rats; Rats, Wistar
• ISSN: 0102-8650; 1678-2674; 0102-8650
• DOI: 10.1590/s0102-865020170105

To evaluate the expression of endothelial and inducible NOS in addition to the miRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum and peripheral blood of healthy rats, diabetic rats, alcoholic rats and rats with both pathologies. Forty eight Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control (C), alcoholic (A), diabetic (D) and alcoholic-diabetic (AD). Samples of the corpus cavernosum were prepared to study protein expressions of eNOS and iNOS by immunohistochemistry and expression of miRNA-27b in the corpus cavernosum and peripheral blood. Immunohistochemistry for eNOS and iNOS showed an increase in cavernosal smooth muscle cells in the alcoholic, diabetic and alcoholic-diabetic groups when compared with the control group. Similarly, the mRNA levels for eNOS were increased in cavernosal smooth muscle (CSM) in the alcoholic, diabetic and alcoholic-diabetic groups and miRNA-27b were decreased in CSM in the alcoholic, diabetic and alcoholic-diabetic groups. The major new finding of our study was an impairment of relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscle in alcoholic, diabetic, and alcoholic-diabetic rats that involved a decrease in the nitric oxide pathway by endothelium-dependent mechanisms accompanied by a change in the corpus cavernosum contractile sensitivity.