AMELIORATION OF HUMAN ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION BY TREATMENT WITH INOS, AND RELATED NOS AGENTS

摘要

Treatment of erectile dysfunction comprising administering to a patient,inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase (iNOS) agents, including penile iNOS, inducersof penile iNOS, iNOS cDNA, or penile smooth muscle cells or corpora cavernosawith iNOS cDNA. Typical in vivo treatment involves delivery of these agents tothe penile tissue of a patient by constant or intermittent implanted orexternal infusion pump, pellets, intrauretheral administration, injection orother related procedures. The genetically engineered cells or penile tissuefrom the patient hyperexpressing iNOS is implanted in microcapsules, pellets,or other methods, or directly by surgical inoculation into the corporacavernosa. In certain cases, an oral or injectable systemic route ofadministration is applicable. Also disclosed are methods of treatmentinvolving in vitro induction of iNOS in cultured smooth muscle cells andthereofter delivery of purified or recombinant iNOS enzyme, production of iNOScDNA and genetic transformation with iNOS cDNA, followed by delivery thereofto the penis of a patient. The methods of this invention includehyperexpression and/or biological modulation of other endogenous and exogenousNOS isoforms in the penis, for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.