Angela Castela

Testosterone, Endothelial Health, and Erectile Function

Experimental and clinical studies have reported that testosterone has a critical role in the maintenance of homeostatic and morphologic corpus cavernosum components, essential for normal erectile physiology. Although the exact mechanisms mediated by testosterone in erectile function are still under investigation, recent research has suggested an important role in the regulation of endothelial cell (EC) biological functions. Besides stimulating the production of EC mediators, testosterone is also thought to promote the vasculogenic reendothelialization process, mediated by bone marrow-derived endothelial progenitor cells. Additionally, testosterone seems to modulate other erectile tissue components, including trabecular smooth muscle cells, nerve fibers, and tunica albuginea structure, all essential for the erectile process. This paper summarizes current data regarding testosterone-induced cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate penile tissue components, focusing particularly on the role of testosterone in endothelial health and erectile function.

Role of oxidative stress-induced systemic and cavernosal molecular alterations in the progression of diabetic erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent complication of diabetes, and oxidative stress is an important feature of diabetic ED. Oxidative stress‐induced damage plays a pivotal role in the development of tissue alterations. However, the deleterious effects of oxidative stress in the corpus cavernosum with the progression of diabetes remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate systemic and penile oxidative stress status in the early and late stages of diabetes.

Vasculogenesis and Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction: How Relevant Is Glycemic Control?

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a complication of diabetes, condition responsible for causing endothelial dysfunction (EDys) and hampering repair mechanisms. However, scarce information is available linking vasculogenesis mediated by Endothelial Progenitor Cells (EPCs) and diabetes‐associated ED. Furthermore, it remains to be elucidated if glycemic control plays a role on EPCs functions, EPCs modulators, and penile vascular health. We evaluated the effects of diabetes and insulin therapy on bone marrow (BM) and circulating EPCs, testosterone, and systemic/penile Stromal Derived Factor‐1 alpha (SDF‐1α) expression. Male Wistar rats were divided into groups: age‐matched controls, 8‐weeks streptozotocin‐induced type 1 diabetics, and insulin‐treated 8‐weeks diabetics. EPCs were identified by flow cytometry for CD34/CD133/VEGFR2/CXCR4 antigens. Systemic SDF‐1α and testosterone levels were evaluated by ELISA. Penile SDF‐1α protein expression was assessed, in experimental and human diabetic cavernosal samples, by immunohistochemical techniques. Diabetic animals presented a reduction of BM‐derived EPCs and an increase in putative circulating endothelial cells (CECs) sloughed from vessels wall. These alterations were rescued by insulin therapy. In addition, glycemic control promoted an increase in systemic testosterone and SDF‐1α levels, which were significantly decreased in animals with diabetes. SDF‐1α protein expression was reduced in experimental and human cavernosal diabetic samples, an effect prevented by insulin in treated animals. Insulin administration rescued the effects of diabetes on BM function, CECs levels, testosterone, and plasmatic/penile SDF‐1α protein expression. This emphasizes the importance of glycemic control in the prevention of diabetes‐induced systemic and penile EDys, by the amelioration of endothelial damage, and increase in protective pathways. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 82–91, 2017.

Role of oxidative stress-induced systemic and cavernosal molecular alterations in the progression of diabetic erectile dysfunction在糖尿病性勃起功能障碍的进展过程中氧化应激所诱导的全身以及海绵体分子变化的影响: Oxidative stress and diabetic ED

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent complication of diabetes, and oxidative stress is an important feature of diabetic ED. Oxidative stress‐induced damage plays a pivotal role in the development of tissue alterations. However, the deleterious effects of oxidative stress in the corpus cavernosum with the progression of diabetes remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate systemic and penile oxidative stress status in the early and late stages of diabetes.