1004 CHRONIC ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARGINASE INHIBITOR 2(S)-AMINO-6-BORONOHEXANOIC ACID (ABH) IMPROVES ERECTILE FUNCTION IN AGED RATS (2012)

You have accessJournal of UrologySexual Function/Dysfunction/Andrology: Basic Research II1 Apr 20121004 CHRONIC ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF THE ARGINASE INHIBITOR 2(S)-AMINO-6-BORONOHEXANOIC ACID (ABH) IMPROVES ERECTILE FUNCTION IN AGED RATS Robert Segal, Johanna Hannan, Xiaopu Lu, Kutlu Omer, Arthur Burnett, Hunter Champion, Jae Hyung Kim, Dan Berkowitz, and Trinity Bivalacqua Robert SegalRobert Segal Baltimore, MD , Johanna HannanJohanna Hannan Baltimore, MD , Xiaopu LuXiaopu Lu Baltimore, MD , Kutlu OmerKutlu Omer Baltimore, MD , Arthur BurnettArthur Burnett Baltimore, MD , Hunter ChampionHunter Champion Pittsburgh, PA , Jae Hyung KimJae Hyung Kim Baltimore, MD , Dan BerkowitzDan Berkowitz Baltimore, MD , and Trinity BivalacquaTrinity Bivalacqua Baltimore, MD View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2012.02.1106AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Arginase expression and activity has been noted to be heightened in conditions associated with erectile dysfunction, including aging. Previously, it has been shown that arginase inhibition by chronic systemic administration of the arginase inhibitor 2S-amino-6-boronohexanoic acid (ABH) results in the restoration of NOS coupling and the reversal of endothelial dysfunction and vascular stiffness in aged rats. The objective of this study was to assess whether chronic systemic ABH administration impacts on cavernosal erectile function. METHODS Rats were divided into 4 groups: young control, young treated with arginase inhibitor, old control, and old treated with arginase inhibitor. Immunohistochemistry was performed on corporal sections to verify expression of arginase, and arginase activity was measured as a proportion of young, untreated rats. In vivo erectile responses of the corporal tissue were measured after anaesthetizing the animals and surgically dissecting the corpora cavernosa and cavernosal nerves (CN). The CN were stimulated with a graded electrical stimulus, and the intracavernosal/mean arterial pressure (ICP/MAP) ratios were recorded. The total ICP was also recorded. RESULTS Arginase expression was elevated in the aged rats, as expected. Arginase activity was elevated in the aged rats compared to the young controls, but when ABH was added, the activity decreased. With the addition of ABH, erectile responses improved in the aged rats (P < 0.05). ABH resulted in a statistically significant elevation of mean arterial systemic pressure in young rats (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Oral inhibition of arginase with ABH results in improved cavernosal erectile function in aged rats, resulting in function similar to young rats. This represents the first documentation of systemic arginase inhibition positively affecting corporal cavernosal function. © 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 187Issue 4SApril 2012Page: e408-e409 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2012 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Robert Segal Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Johanna Hannan Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Xiaopu Lu Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Kutlu Omer Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Arthur Burnett Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Hunter Champion Pittsburgh, PA More articles by this author Jae Hyung Kim Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Dan Berkowitz Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Trinity Bivalacqua Baltimore, MD More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...