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Rho/rho-kinase signalling in chronically alcohol-fed mice
Havva Kubat1, Ahmet Sencer Yurtsever1, Kansu Büyükafşar1
1Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey.
Turkish Journal of Medical Sciences
|April 21, 2017
Summary
Chronic ethanol consumption in mice potentiated vasoconstrictor responses and enhanced vasodilation in the corpus cavernosum. Rho-kinase signaling remained unchanged, suggesting ethanol alters smooth muscle reactivity without affecting this pathway.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Pharmacology
- Physiology
Background:
- Chronic ethanol consumption's impact on male sexual function is debated.
- The effect of ethanol on the Rho/Rho-kinase pathway in the corpus cavernosum is unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate smooth muscle reactivity in the corpus cavernosum of ethanol-fed mice.
- Examine Rho/Rho-kinase signaling in the corpus cavernosum of ethanol-fed mice.
Main Methods:
- Mice consumed ethanol in drinking water, reaching 20% concentration over 45 days.
- Corpora cavernosa were isolated to assess phenylephrine-induced contractions and acetylcholine/EFS-induced relaxations.
- Rho-kinase expression and activation were analyzed in control and ethanol-fed groups.
Main Results:
- Ethanol-fed mice showed significantly higher blood ethanol levels (37.4 mg/dL vs 1.5 mg/dL).
- Phenylephrine-induced contractions were potentiated in ethanol-fed mice.
- Relaxation responses to acetylcholine and electrical field stimulation were augmented, but Y-27632-induced relaxation and Rho-kinase activity were unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Ethanol consumption may increase sensitivity to vasoconstrictors and vasodilators in the mouse corpus cavernosum.
- Rho/Rho-kinase signaling in the corpus cavernosum is not altered by chronic ethanol consumption.