Treatment with nitrite prevents reactive oxygen species generation in the corpora cavernosa and restores intracavernosal pressure in hypertensive rats

Publication date: Available online 11 October 2019Source: Nitric OxideAuthor(s): Natália A. Gonzaga, Gabriel T. do Vale, Carla B.P. da Silva, Lucas C. Pinheiro, Letícia N. Leite, Fernando S. Carneiro, José E. Tanus-Santos, Carlos R. TirapelliAbstractHypertension is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED) and both conditions are associated with oxidative stress. Given that nitrite is described to display antioxidant effects, we hypothesized that treatment with nitrite would exert antioxidant effects attenuating both reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in the corpora cavernosa (CC) and ED induced by hypertension. Two kidney, one clip (2K1C) hypertension was induced in male Wistar rats. Treatment with sodium nitrite (15 mg/kg/day, p.o., gavage) was initiated two weeks after surgery to induce hypertension and maintained for four weeks. Nitrite abrogated both the decrease in intracavernosal pressure and endothelial dysfunction of the CC induced by hypertension. Treatment with nitrite decreased hypertension-induced ROS generation in the CC assessed in situ using the fluorescent dye dihidroethidium (DHE) and with the lucigenin assay. Western immunoblotting analysis revealed that nitrite prevented the increase in Nox1 expression in the CC from 2K1C rats. Decreased concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) were found in the CC from hypertensive rats and treatment with nitrite prevented this response. Treatment with nitrite increased the fluorescence of DAF-2DA in the CC...
Source: Nitric Oxide - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research