Lycopene prevents experimental priapism against oxidative and nitrosative damage

Priapism is a persistent and often painful penile erection in the absence of sexual stimulation. It can cause progressive fibrosis, edema and drying of the erectile tissue and then it can lead to erectile dysfunction. Previous studies suggested that, neuronal nitric oxide levels increased during the priapism. High NO levels can result in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leading to oxidative stress in tissue and reproductive system. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative and nitrosative effects caused by priapism in cavernosal tissue and serum, and determinate beneficial effects of lycopene on ischemic priapism.

32 rats were randomly divided into four groups and the first group being as the control. In the second group, experimental ischemic priapism was formed for an hour and then 1hour reperfusion was provided. In the third group, lycopene was intraperitoneally given at the dose of 10 mg/kg. In the fourth group, lycopene were administered to rats with experimental priapism.

Priapism caused a significant increase in TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) and NO levels and a significant decrease in the levels of GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD in serum and cavernosal tissue of rats. However, lycopene significantly increased GSH, CAT, GPx and SOD levels but decreased formation of TBARS production and NO in rats with priapism.

Our findings indicated that ischemic priapism lead to significant oxidative and nitrosative damage in cavernosal tissue and serum samples of rats. However lycopene treatment eliminates these negative effects induced by priapism. For this reason, we suggested that lycopene may be used in the treatment of priapism.