Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined in relation to the metabolic syndrome (metS). Hydrogen sulphide (H2 S), a gasotransmitter, has been revealed to get involved in hypertension, insulin secretion and regulation of vascular tone especially in erectile physiology. This study aimed to investigate the effect of H2 S on metS-induced ED. Animals were divided into two groups as control and metS, which were fed with standard diet or 60% high-fructose diet for 10 weeks respectively. The metS model was evaluated with biochemical analyses, waist circumference/tibia length ratio and HOMA index. Penile hemodynamic parameters were evaluated by the measurement of intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure ratio during cavernous nerve stimulation in the presence and absence of intracavernous injection of NaHS (100 μg/50 μl) and its control 0.9%NaCl (50 μl) in both groups. H2 S levels were measured in penile tissues by methylene blue assay. H2 S levels were significantly decreased in the penile tissues of the metS group. Decreased intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure ratio improved after intracavernous administration of NaHS in the metS group. These results suggest the significant role of H2 S in the metS-induced erectile dysfunction that could be a new therapeutic target.
Keywords: erectile dysfunction; fructose; hydrogen sulphide; intracavernous pressure; metabolic syndrome.
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