[Mechanism of androgen in improving erectile dysfunction in castrated rats by regulating androgen receptor/vascular endothelial growth factor].

Objective To explore the mechanism of androgen in improving erectile dysfunction in castrated rats. Methods Forty 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:normal control group (Group A); castration group (Group B, in which rats were castrated); intervention groups (group C and D), in which rats were treated with different concentrations of testosterone undecanoate orally every day at 10 mg/kg (low dose) and 20 mg/kg (high dose), respectively after being castrated. Animals in group A and B were given 0.9% NS instead. After 8-week treatment, the level of serum testosterone, intra cavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were detected, and the expression of androgen receptor (AR)and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were detected in the penis by Immunohistochemistry and Western blot. Results The level of serum testosterone was significantly lower in group B [(1.3±0.6) nmol/L] than in group A [(17.1±1.5) nmol/L] (P group C (all P<0.05). Conclusion Androgen replacement therapy with testosterone undecanoate can improve the erectile function of castrated rats by protecting the integrity of endothelial cells through AR/VEGF pathway. Key words: Androgen; Endothelium; Castration; Erectile dysfunction