Erectile dysfunction occurs in varying degrees in 18 - 30 million American men. Recent therapeutic advances, have been based on research that elucidated the physiologic mechanisms of erectile tissue (e.g. trabecular smooth muscle) relaxation. The trabecular smooth muscle cell, which is intimately involved in contractility, also synthesizes connective tissue. They have shown that a critical ratio of trabecular smooth muscle to erectile tissue collagen is required for normal erectile function. They have further shown that elevated corporal connective tissue content impairs overall erectile tissue """"""""expendability"""""""" during tumescence, interfering with sub-tunical venule occlusion, resulting in venous leakage. Vasculogenic impotence secondary to veno-occlusive dysfunction from structural changes is a common cause of erectile impairment and a major pathophysiology resulting in pharmacologic treatment failures and need for penile prosthesis insertion. One of the least studied aspects of erectile physiology is the mechanism(s) by which trabecular smooth muscle regulates connective tissue synthesis and degradation. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF) is a pleiotropic cytokine which induces connective tissue synthesis and has been implicated in soft tissue fibrosis. They have shown that human corpus cavernosum expresses TGF. They have developed a human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cell culture model which maintains functional and structural elements of connective tissue proteins. TGF induces collagen synthesis in this model. This synthesis was suppressed by prostaglandin E1, forskolin, isoproterenol and sodium nitroprusside, agents which elevate cyclic nucleotide levels. They propose to test if collagen synthesis and degradation in this model is regulated by substances which alter cyclic nucleotide levels. Using this model, they will: (1) investigate TGF- induced collagen synthesis and degradation, (2) determine the effects of cyclic nucleotide elevating agents on TGF-induced collagen synthesis and (3) investigate the effects of TGF and cyclic nucleotide elevating agents on TGF and PGE synthesis and expression of their receptors. Previous research on trabecular smooth muscle contractility has led to innovative therapeutic approaches to treat erectile dysfunction. It is anticipated that corporal collagen research will lead to novel pharmacologic prophylactic therapies to restore and/or preserve a functional trabecular smooth muscle content and maintain erectile potency.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
1R29DK047950-01A1
Application #
2016807
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG4-GMB (05))
Project Start
1996-12-20
Project End
2001-11-30
Budget Start
1996-12-20
Budget End
1997-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Boston University
Department
Urology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
604483045
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
02118
Moreland, R B; Kim, N; Nehra, A et al. (2003) Functional prostaglandin E (EP) receptors in human penile corpus cavernosum. Int J Impot Res 15:362-8
Moreland, R B; Nehra, A; Kim, N N et al. (2002) Expression of functional prostaglandin D (DP) receptors in human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Int J Impot Res 14:446-52
Moreland, R B; Albadawi, H; Bratton, C et al. (2001) O2-dependent prostanoid synthesis activates functional PGE receptors on corpus cavernosum smooth muscle. Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 281:H552-8
Kim, N N; Goldstein, I; Moreland, R B et al. (2000) Alpha-adrenergic receptor blockade by phentolamine increases the efficacy of vasodilators in penile corpus cavernosum. Int J Impot Res 12 Suppl 1:S26-36
Moreland, R B; Kim, N N; Nehra, A et al. (2000) Misoprostol induces relaxation of human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle: comparison to prostaglandin E1. Int J Impot Res 12:107-10
Traish, A M; Kim, N N; Goldstein, I et al. (1999) Alpha-adrenergic receptors in the penis: identification, characterization, and physiological function. J Androl 20:671-82
Traish, A M; Park, K; Dhir, V et al. (1999) Effects of castration and androgen replacement on erectile function in a rabbit model. Endocrinology 140:1861-8
Nehra, A; Gettman, M T; Nugent, M et al. (1999) Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) is sufficient to induce fibrosis of rabbit corpus cavernosum in vivo. J Urol 162:910-5
Moreland, R B (1998) Is there a role of hypoxemia in penile fibrosis: a viewpoint presented to the Society for the Study of Impotence. Int J Impot Res 10:113-20
Newhall, P M; Traish, A; Moreland, R B (1998) Development of an organ culture experimental system to investigate collagen synthesis in corpora cavernosa. Int J Impot Res 10:77-81

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