Abstract
BACKGROUND: As one of the most common disorders in old adult, erectile dysfunction (ED) remains attracting andrological physicians’ attention. The aim of this study is to investigate the alterations of adenosine signaling in the penis of aging rats, and the influence to erectile function. METHODS: According to apomorphine test, the aging rats (18 months) with ED were selected as age-related erectile dysfunction (A-ED) group, and the young rats (2 months) were selected as normal control (NC) group. The intracavernosal pressure (ICP) measurements were conducted to evaluate the penile erectile function. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western Blot were used to detect the expression levels of genes and protein related to adenosine signaling in penis. RESULTS: Compared to NC group, the outcomes of ICP showed a decreasing trend in A-ED group. Expression of adenosine A2B receptor, adenosine deaminase (ADA), and phosphodiesterase type (5PDE5) were increased in A-ED group, and AMP deaminase type 1 (AMPD1) and 2 (AMPD2) were decreased in A-ED group. The results of Western Blot also showed an increasing trend of A2B receptor in A-ED group. CONCLUSIONS: Rats with erectile dysfunction showed an impaired adenosine signaling, our study may provide a new sight for further study to improve the erectile function of A-ED patients.