Intracavernosal basic fibroblast growth factor improves vasoreactivity in the hypercholesterolemic rabbit

J Sex Med. 2006 Mar;3(2):223-32. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2005.00174.x.

Abstract

Purpose: We determined the effects of intracavernosal injection (ICI) of recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (rbFGF) on corporal tissue in hypercholesterolemic rabbits.

Methods: Twenty New Zealand White rabbits were fed a 1% cholesterol diet for 6 weeks and were randomly divided into four groups. Group 1 (N = 5) received an ICI of phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS) once and again 3 weeks later. Group 2 (N = 4) received an ICI of 2.5 microg rbFGF once and PBS 3 weeks later. Group 3 (N = 6) received an ICI of 2.5 microg rbFGF once and again 3 weeks later. Group 4 (N = 5) received an ICI of 2.5 microg rbFGF once. All animals were maintained on the high cholesterol diet until sacrifice, 3 weeks after last injection. Strips of corporal tissue were submaximally contracted with norepinephrine, and dose-response curves were generated to evaluate endothelial-dependent (acetylcholine, ACH) and endothelial-independent (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) vasoreactivity. Protein levels of bFGF and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) protein and mRNA were detected by Western blot and semi-quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

Results: Vasoreactivity was improved by bFGF treatment as shown by higher ED50[-log(M)] of ACH and SNP in Groups 2, 3, and 4. The expression of bFGF protein, VEGF protein, nNOS protein, and mRNA were all increased after bFGF treatment.

Conclusions: ICI of bFGF improved vasoreactivity in hypercholesterolemic rabbit corporal tissue, offering a new direction to explore for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cholesterol / administration & dosage
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / administration & dosage
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / pharmacology*
  • Hypercholesterolemia / physiopathology*
  • Male
  • Muscle Relaxation / drug effects*
  • Muscle, Smooth / blood supply
  • Muscle, Smooth / drug effects
  • Penis / blood supply*
  • Penis / drug effects
  • Rabbits
  • Random Allocation
  • Sodium Chloride / administration & dosage
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / drug effects
  • Vasodilation / drug effects*

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
  • Fibroblast Growth Factor 2
  • Sodium Chloride
  • Cholesterol