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Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences

DOI

10.3906/sag-1505-56

Abstract

Background/aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of resveratrol on the alterations of cavernosal eNOS and LOX-1 mRNA expression in the hypercholesterolemic condition. Materials and methods: Twenty-one New Zealand white male rabbits were separated into three groups. Rabbits were fed with a normal dietary intake for the control group and a 2% cholesterol diet for the hypercholesterolemia and resveratrol groups for 6 weeks. Resveratrol 4 mg/kg daily was administered for the resveratrol group. Cavernosal LOX-1 and eNOS mRNA expressions were determined with real-time RT-PCR in all groups. The statistical analysis was performed with the Kruskal?Wallis and Mann?Whitney U tests. Results: We found no difference between mean LOX-1 mRNA expression levels in the three groups. Lower mean eNOS mRNA expression level was determined in the hypercholesterolemia group when compared with the control group (P = 0.011). Mean eNOS mRNA expression level in the resveratrol group was similar to that in the control group but significantly higher than that in the hypercholesterolemia group (P < 0.001). Conclusion: This preliminary study demonstrates the beneficial effects of resveratrol on cavernosal eNOS expression. The presence of cavernosal LOX-1 expression was also shown for the first time. Resveratrol may be an alternative option in hypercholesterolemic erectile dysfunction with further studies supporting its beneficial effects on the corpus cavernosum.

Keywords

Hypercholesterolemia, erectile dysfunction, resveratrol, eNOS, LOX-1

First Page

1083

Last Page

1088

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