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International Urology and Nephrology
Published in: International Urology and Nephrology 7/2015

01-07-2015 | Urology - Original Paper

Castration impairs erectile organ structure and function by inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in rats

Authors: Xian-Jin Wang, Tian-Yuan Xu, Lei-Lei Xia, Shan Zhong, Xiao-Hua Zhang, Zhao-Wei Zhu, Dong-Rui Chen, Yue Liu, Yong Fan, Chen Xu, Min-Guang Zhang, Zhou-Jun Shen

Published in: International Urology and Nephrology | Issue 7/2015

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Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the changes and underlying mechanisms of erectile organ structure and function in castrated rats. In addition, the regulatory effects of an androgen on autophagy and apoptosis in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs), especially the regulatory effect of androgen on the BECN 1–Bcl-2 interaction, were investigated.

Methods

Male Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three groups (30/group): control group, castration group, and castration with testosterone supplementation group. The erectile function was examined both in vivo and in vitro, by electric stimulation of the cavernous nerve and corpus cavernosum strip bath test, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy, TUNEL assay, Masson’s trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were performed to determine the levels of autophagy and apoptosis, and the structural changes in corpus cavernosum.

Results

Compared with control group, the castration group showed (1) lower erectile function: lower intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure ratio, lower systolic and diastolic capability of corporal strips, and reduced expressions of eNOS and nNOS; (2) greater fibrosis: decreased smooth muscle/collagen ratio, lower expression of α-SMA, and higher expression of TGF-β1; (3) inhibited autophagy: decreased autophagosomes, lower expressions of BECN1 and LC3-II; and (4) enhanced apoptosis: higher apoptotic index and decreased Bcl-2/Bax ratio. Testosterone supplementation partially improved the effects of castration.

Conclusions

Castration attenuates erectile function and induces corporeal fibrosis by inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis of CCSMCs in rats. Therefore, our study highlights the important role of androgens in maintaining the integrity of the structure and function of corpus cavernosum in rats through counter-regulation of autophagy and apoptosis, mainly by regulating BECN 1–Bcl-2 interaction.
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Metadata
Title
Castration impairs erectile organ structure and function by inhibiting autophagy and promoting apoptosis of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells in rats
Authors
Xian-Jin Wang
Tian-Yuan Xu
Lei-Lei Xia
Shan Zhong
Xiao-Hua Zhang
Zhao-Wei Zhu
Dong-Rui Chen
Yue Liu
Yong Fan
Chen Xu
Min-Guang Zhang
Zhou-Jun Shen
Publication date
01-07-2015
Publisher
Springer Netherlands
Published in
International Urology and Nephrology / Issue 7/2015
Print ISSN: 0301-1623
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2584
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-015-1011-3

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