Possible role for endothelins in penile erection

• Published in: European journal of pharmacology 1996-06, Vol.307 (1), p.69-74
• Main Authors: Ari, Gil, Vardi, Yoram, Hoffman, Aaron, Finberg, John P.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Pressure - drug effects; Blood Pressure - physiology; Corpus cavernosum: Endothelin; Electric Stimulation; Endothelin-1 - pharmacology; Endothelin-1 - physiology; Endothelin-3 - pharmacology; Endothelin-3 - physiology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Male; Mammalian male genital system; Morphology. Physiology; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester - pharmacology; Nitric oxide (NO); Nitric Oxide - physiology; Pelvis - innervation; Penile erection; Penile Erection - drug effects; Penile Erection - physiology; Penis - blood supply; Prostaglandins - physiology; Rat; Rats; Vasodilator Agents - pharmacology; Vertebrates: reproduction
• ISSN: 0014-2999; 1879-0712
• DOI: 10.1016/0014-2999(96)00172-0

The effects of endothelins (endothelin-1 and endothelin-3) on penile erection were studied in vivo in the pithed rat. Penile erectile responses were evaluated by measurements of intracorporal pressure via a needle inserted into one corpus cavernosum. Injection of endothelins (0.1–10 μg/kg i.v.) was followed by a rapid rise in corporal pressure. The responses to endothelin-1 and endothelin-3 were equivalent at the lower doses, but at 10 μg/kg the response to endothelin-3 was greater than that to endothelin-1. N G -Nitro- l-argininemethyl ester (20 mg/kg) but not indomethacin (10 mg/kg) antagonized the rise in corporal pressure caused by submaximal doses of endothelins. Electrical nerve stimulation-induced increase in corporal pressure was reduced after 5 μg/kg endothelin-1 but not after the same dose of endothelin-3. The results indicate that in corporal vasculature endothelin-3 has a predominantly vasodilator effect, while endothelin-1 has a vasodilator effect at lower doses and a vasoconstrictor effect at higher doses. The vasodilator action of endothelins is probably mediated by activation of endothelin ET B receptors and local release of nitric oxide. Thus, endothelins may participate in initiation and/or maintenance of penile erection.