[Effects of growth hormone supplementation on erectile function and expression of nNOS in aging rats].

作者信息

Zhang Xian-Sheng, Wang Yi-Xin, Han Yin-Fa, Li Zheng, Xiang Zu-Qiong, Leng Jing, Huang Xu-Yuan

机构信息

Department of Andrology, Affiliated Renji Hospital of Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Shanghai 200001, China.

出版信息

Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2005 May;11(5):339-42.

OBJECTIVE

To explore the effects of growth hormone( GH) supplementation on erectile function and expression of nNOS in the intracavernosal nerves in aging rats.

METHODS

Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 18 months were randomly divided into Groups A and B, and ten 2-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats included in Group C. 1 U/(kg x d) GH was given to Group A, and the same volume of saline to Groups B and C. After 8 weeks of treatment, evaluation was made of the erections induced by apomorphine (APO), maximal intracavernous pressure (ICP) induced by intracavernous papaverine injection and expression of nNOS in the intracavernosal nerves by streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical techniques.

RESULTS

After 8 weeks of treatment, the erection frequency, maximal ICP and expression of nNOS in the intracavernosal nerves of the rats in Groups A and C were significantly higher than those in Group B (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Growth hormone supplementation can improve the erectile function of aging rats, which may be attributed to the increase in the expression of nNOS in the intracavernosal nerves.