Electrical activity of the corpus cavernosum in denervated rats

BACKGROUND

We evaluated the electrical activity of the corpus cavernosum after intracavernous papaverine injection in rats that had been denervated experimentally.

METHODS

Twenty-four male adult Sprague Dawley rats were divided into three groups: (i) controls (n=8) (ii) unilateral cavernous nerve resection on the right side (n=8); and (iii) bilateral cavernous nerve resection (n=8). Through a suprapubic incision, the urinary bladder was retracted laterally to locate the major pelvic plexus on the lateral surface of the prostate. The major branch of the cavernous nerve, running caudally from the pelvic plexus, was isolated and excised using an operating microscope. Three weeks later, recording of the electrical activity of the corpus cavernosum (EACC) was performed by using a Neuropack-2 EMG unit (Nihon Kohden, Tokyo, Japan) and coencentric needle electrode. Changes in amplitude were evaluated before and after intracavernosal papaverine injection. The results in the flaccid state and after papaverine injection were compared by using the Mann Whitney U-test in all three groups and paired t-test between groups.

RESULTS

In the flaccid penis, the mean (+/- SD) amplitude of electrical activity of the corpus cavernosum was 17.42+/-2.05, 12.42+/-1.88, 9.71+/-1.59 and 5.85+/-0.96 microV in control rats, in unilaterally denervated rats (in which the cavernous nerve was intact on the left side), in unilaterally denervated rats in which the cavernous nerve was resected on the right side and in bilaterally denervated rats, respectively. In the flaccid state, EACC is lower in the bilaterally denervated group than in the control and unilaterally nerve-resected groups (P < or = 0.05). The recording of electrical activity of the corpus cavernosum was continued for 20 min after papaverine injection. In the control group and in both groups of unilaterally denervated rats, we observed a significant decrease in the electrical activity of the corpus cavernosum in the first 5 min after papaverine injection (P < or = 0.05). However, no difference was observed in bilaterally denervated rats after injection (P > or = 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that electrical activity of the corpus cavernosum continues after unilateral nerve injury in rats. Cross-innervation may play a role in penile innervation and corpus cavernosum electromyography shows electrical activity in denervated rats.

Histopathological changes and nitric oxide synthase activity in corpus cavernosum from rats with neurogenic erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

To investigate changes in histology and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity in cavernosal tissues from rats with neurogenic erectile dysfunction induced experimentally.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-four adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided equally into three groups and underwent a sham operation (control, group 1), unilateral (group 2) or bilateral (group 3) cavernosal nerve resection. Three months later they were killed and the cavernosal tissues analysed histologically by light and transmission electron microscopy, with NOS activity detected using an NADPH-diaphorase staining technique.

RESULTS

On light and electron microscopy, while penile nerves and cavernosal smooth muscle cells had a normal morphological appearance in the eight control rats, there were degenerative changes of the myelinated penile nerves and axonal fibrosis in groups 2 and 3. However, these changes were not significant. Using NADPH-diaphorase staining, NOS activity was detected in all three groups in endothelial cells and cavernosal structures. However, the staining was more intense in endothelial cells and cavernosal muscles of rats in group 2 than in the other groups.

CONCLUSION

NOS activity was increased in the cavernosal tissue after cavernosal denervation, but the pharmacological action of nitric oxide may be impaired.

Electron microscopic findings of penile tissues in veno-occlusive dysfunction: is penile biopsy necessary?

In this study, we examined the biopsy patterns of penile tissues taken during operation from patients subjected to surgical treatment for veno-occlusive dysfunction, and evaluated the importance of penile biopsy. We evaluated the findings from 17 patients with venous impotence. Fourteen of them underwent total vein ligation and the rest penile prosthesis implantation. Tissue specimens taken from superficial and deep dorsal veins, tunica albuginea and corpus cavernosum during operation were examined under electron microscope. Tissue specimens taken from 3 cadavers were used as the control group. Although the deep and superficial vein specimens of all patients did not show significant differences, oedema and increase of fibroblasts in collagen fibres of the corpus cavernosum and tunica albuginea were demonstrated. We concluded that penile biopsy as an invasive method does not give enough information about the choice of treatment for erectile dysfunction.

Treatment of premature ejaculation with sertralin

To evaluate the efficacy of oral sertralin in the treatment of premature ejaculation, out of 22 patients with premature ejaculation 16 received oral sertralin, 50 mg a day for at least 2 weeks. Four patients were lost to follow-up. Two patients interrupted treatment due to side effects of sertralin. Out of 16 patients who completed at least a two-week period of treatment 14 (87.5%) responded clinically. Clinical response was achieved in the first week of treatment in 11 of 16 responders (68.75%). We conclude that low dose oral sertralin may be useful with a reasonable side effect rate in the treatment of patients suffering from premature ejaculation.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in patients under 30 years of age

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder is rare in patients younger than 30 years. We report two cases of bladder cancer under the age of 30, regarding clinical picture, treatment and follow-up results.

The effect of age in the usage of alpha receptor blocker treatment in prostate patients

Age was considered in the usage of alpha receptor blocker in the treatment of prostate patients. Ninety patients with prostatism were treated with alpha 1 receptor blockers (Doxazocin 4 mg/day) for 8 weeks. Before and after treatment, the patients in two groups according to their age, above and below 60 years, were evaluated using International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). The patients younger than 60 years of age had more significant relief compared to those older than 60 years of age.

Bilateral traumatic hip dislocation with bilateral sciatic nerve injury

Bilateral traumatic dislocation of the hip is a rare injury. In fact, only about 50 cases have been reported previously. We report a case of traumatic bilateral posterior hip dislocation with bilateral sciatic nerve damage suffered in a traffic accident by a 65-year-old woman.

Prolific shoot regeneration from immature embryo explants of sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.)

Immature cotyledons and embryo axes of sainfoin were cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) media supplemented with various concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and a-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) to induce adventitious shoot regeneration. The highest frequency of shoot regeneration occurred following an initial callus growth on a MS medium containing 0.5 mg/l BAP and 2 mg/l NAA. Immature embryo axes showed higher regeneration capacity than immature cotyledons, however, shoot elongation was best achieved on immature cotyledons. Regenerated shoots were excised and rooted in half strength MS medium with 1 mg/l indole-butyric acid (IBA) or 1 mg/l NAA. The rooted plantlets were finally transferred to compost.

Urethral sleeve advancement in repairement of distal hypospadias

Thirtyfive boys with distal hypospadias were operated on using urethral sleeve advancement procedure between 1990 and 1994. Early complications such as hematoma and wound infection, and late complications such as fistula formation and meatal retraction were not seen in the patients except meatal stenosis in first month control in only eight patients. Four of them underwent dilatation and meatotomy was performed in the rest. Both cosmetic and functional results were excellent in the patients in sixth month control.

Phaeochromocytoma in pregnancy: a case report

A twenty-eight years old patient with phaeochromocytoma in pregnancy is reported. In the second trimester, she was admitted to hospital for complaints of headache, fever, palpitation and weakness. A phaeochromocytoma was diagnosed. Alpha and beta blockers were given to regulate arterial blood pressure until foetal maturity was reached. Delivery was by caesarean section and the operation was continued with a right adrenalectomy. Pathological examination revealed a phaeochromocytoma.

Isolated dislocation of all five carpometacarpal joints

Fracture-dislocation of all five carpometacarpal joints is extremely rare, only ten cases having been reported since 1873. A case of isolated dislocation of all five carpometacarpal joints is presented. A good result was obtained 1 year after open reduction and internal fixation. This case is the only isolated dislocation of all five carpometacarpal joints in the English literature.

[Comparison of granulocyte function in diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2]

The phagocytosis rate of polymorphonuclear leucocytes was measured by flow-cytometry. Vital bacteria were incubated in whole blood. 111 blood samples were measured, 54 in diabetic patients (14 type 1 and 40 type 2), the rest of 57 samples in healthy controls. Results showed firstly, that a decompensation in glucose metabolism in diabetic patients correlated with a decrease in phagocytosis. The HbA1 level was more closely correlated than the glucose level. The second result was, that despite a similar grade of decompensation in type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients, the phagocytosis was significantly lower in type 1 diabetes. No correlation was found concerning age and sex. These findings show, that the impact on granulocytic function in diabetes is of multifactorial origin, not only a shorter or longer elevation of the serum glucose level can explain it solely.