Effect of tadalafil on penile nitric oxide synthase and corporal smooth muscle in rats under dutasteride treatment

摘要

Aim: To investigate the effect of tadalafil in rats administered with daily dutasteride. Methods: Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley male rats were allocated to three groups as control (group C), dutasteride (group D) and dutasteride plus tadalafil (group D + T). After a month of treatment, serum samples were obtained from rats to measure dihydrotestosterone and total testosterone. Nitric oxide (NO) synthase (NOS) immunoreactivity and levels of NOS enzyme isoforms, NO and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) were evaluated in the harvested penile tissues. Also, corporal smooth muscle and collagen were examined. Results: Staining intensities of neuronal NOS and endothelial NOS were significantly lower in group D (p .05). Group D and group D + T had significantly decreased dihydrotestosterone and increased testosterone, compared to group C (p < .001). They were similar between group D and group D + T. Conclusion: Daily treatment with tadalafil improves dutasteride-induced changes in rat penis.