Effects of Pinacidil upon Penile Erectile Tissue,in Vitroandin Vivo

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Abstract
The effects of pinacidil, a new antihypertensive vasodilator, was studied in vitro upon human and porcine Corpus cavernosum and in vivo upon simian Corpus cavernosum. In vitro, pinacidil incubation (10-5-10-3M) was found to induce a concentration-dependent inhibition of the tissue response to norepinephrine (NE) and high potassium (K+). Likewise a concentration-related relaxation of the tissue, precontracted with either NE or K+, was seen using pinacidil 10-5-10-3M. Depending on the concentration applied, spontaneous activity as well as tone and amplitude of the contractions were reduced until total relaxation of the tissue was obtained with a pinacidil incubation of 10-3M. In vivo, 5 mg pinacidil in 0.3 ml solution was injected intracavernosally in 17 monkeys. Sixteen monkeys developed tumescence and 10, rigidity of the penis as well. Only one of 5 showed a decrease in the systemic blood pressure. Pinacidil might be of clinical interest as an agent facilitating erection when given intravernosally.