ALTERATIONS IN ENDOTHELIN B RECEPTOR SITES IN CAVERNOSAL TISSUE OF DIABETIC RABBITS: POTENTIAL RELEVANCE TO THE PATHOGENESIS OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

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Abstract
Purpose: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction in both patients and animal models. The pathogenesis of this dysfunction has not been fully elucidated. However, alterations in the synthesis of a number of vasoactive compounds, such as nitric oxide. (NO) and prostacyclin (PGI 2), have been reported in various diabetic tissues. The interaction between NO, PGI 2 and endothelin-1 (ET-1), a powerful vasoconstrictor and smooth muscle cell mitogen, is thought to be important in maintaining vascular tone and the erectile process. We investigated the density and distribution of ET-1 and endothelin receptor subtypes in cavernosal tissue and assessed any changes brought about by DM in a rabbit model. Materials and Methods: DM was induced in New Zealand White rabbits using alloxan. Penises were excised from the diabetic rabbits three months (n = 6) and six months (n = 6) after the induction of DM. Low and high resolution autoradiography was performed using radioligands for ET-1, endothelin A (ET sub A) and endothelin B (ET B) receptors and were analyzed densitometrically. The results were compared with those from six age-matched healthy control rabbits for each group. Immunohistochemical localization of ET-1 immunoreactivity was also performed, together with ultrastructural evaluation of the corpus cavernosum. Results: ET-1, ET A and ET B receptor binding sites were primarily localized to the smooth muscle cells of the corpus cavernosum and the endothelium lining the cavernosal spaces. A significant increase in ET sub B receptor binding sites was found only in cavernosal tissue six months after induction of DM, when compared with age-matched healthy controls. These receptor changes were accompanied by ultrastructural changes in the corpus cavernosum indicative of an early, atherosclerosis-like process. Conclusions: The autoradiographic and immunohistochemical findings in this study suggest that ET-1 may have a role in the pathophysiology of diabetic ED. This peptide may be released in an autocrine fashion causing cavernosal smooth muscle cell (CSMC) contraction and/or proliferation.