Characterizing Behavior of Corpus Cavernosum in Chloride-free Condition

Objective To elucidate the role of chloride currents in erectile function through characterizing the behavior of corpus cavernosum (CC) in chloride-free (Cf) medium, which has not been evaluated before. Methods Isolated rabbit CC strips were suspended in thermo-regulated organ baths containing oxygenated Tyrode for isometric tension recording. Cf Tyrode was prepared by substituting sodium chloride, calcium chloride, and potassium chloride (KCl) with equivalent molar concentrations of sodium acetate, calcium acetate, and potassium acetate salts. Resting cavernosal tone and contractions by noradrenaline, histamine, and KCl were assessed in Cf Tyrode with or without chloride channel blockers, niflumic acid (NFA), and anthracene-9-carboxylic acid (A9C). Results Withdrawal of extracellular chloride caused myogenic contractions in the unstimulated CC strips (n = 18). In addition, peak contractions by noradrenaline (n = 14) and histamine (n = 13) were augmented in Cf buffer by 47.2 ± 5.9% and 85.4 ± 13.2%, respectively ( P Conclusions These results reiterate the importance of chloride currents as a mechanism underlying the maintenance of penile cavernosal tone. Thus, chloride channel could be an effective alternative target to regulate penile erection.