Summary
In order to further investigate the mechanisms of action of berberine (Ber), we assessed the effects of Ber on the mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) in rat corpus cavernosum. After incubation with Ber for 1 or 3 h respectively, the levels of NOS mRNA were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Our results showed that there were iNOS and eNOS mRNA expression in rat corpus cavernosum. Ber enhanced eNOS mRNA expression in rat penis, but exhibited no effect on the expression of iNOS mRNA (P>0.05). The present study indicated that the relaxation of Ber involved the NO-cGMP signal thansduction pathway. The enhancing effect of Ber on eNOS mRNA expression might associated with its relaxation of corpus cavernosum.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hosogai N, Takakura S, Manda Tet al. Enzyme activities of the nitric oxide-cGMP pathway in corpus cavernosum isolated from middle-aged rats. Eur J Pharmacol, 2003, 473: 65
Kim N N, Huang Y H, Goldstein Iet al. Inhibition of cyclic GMP hydrolysis in human corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells by vardenafil, a novel, selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. Life Sci, 2001, 69: 2249
Corbin D J, Francis H S, Webb J D. Phosphodiesterase type 5 as a pharmacology targen in erectile dysfunction. Urology, 2002, 60: 4
Ganzalez-Cadavid N F, Ignarro L J, Rajfer J. Nitric oxide and the cyclic GMP system in the penis. Mol Urol, 1999, 3: 51
Chancellor M B, Tirney S, Mattes C Eet al. Nitric oxide synthase gene transfer for erectile dysfunction in a rat model. BJU International, 2003, 91: 691
Gonzalez C M, Brannigan R E, Bervig Tet al. Protein and gene expression of nitric oxide synthase isoforms I and III in the rat penile shaft. J Androl. 2001, 22: 54
Padlasek C A, Zelner R J, Bervig T Ret al. Characterization and localization of nitric oxide synthase isoforms in the BB/WOR diabetic rat. J Urol, 2001, 166: 746
Bivalacque T J, Champion H C, Mehta Y Set al. Adenoviral gene transfer of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) to the penis improves age-related erectile dysfunction in the rat. Int J Impot Res, 2000, 12: S8
Hurt K J, Musicki B, Palese M Aet al. Akt-dependent phosphorylation of endothelial nitric-oxide synthase mediates penile erection. Proc Natl Acad Sci, 2002, 99: 4061
Soderling S H, Beavo J A. Regualtion of cAMP and cGMP signaling: new phosphodiesterases and new functions. Curr Opin Cell Biol, 2000 12: 174
Lin C S, Lin A, Tu Ret al. Expression of three isoforms of cGMP-binding cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase (PDE5) in human penile cavernosum. Biochem Biophys Res Commun, 2000, 268: 628
NIH Consensus Conference, Development panel on impotence, JAMA, 1993, 270: 83
Imonsen U, García-Sacristán A, Prieto D. penile arteries and erection. J Vasc Res, 2002, 39:283
Max M, Escrig A, Gonzalez-Mora J LIn vivo electrochemical measurement of nitric oxide in corpus cavernosum penis. J Neuroscience, 2002, 119:143
Nangle M R, Cotter M A, Cameron N E. An in vitro study of corpus cavernosum and aorta from mice lacking the inducible nitric oxide synthase gene. Nitric Oxide, 2003, 9: 194
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
TAN Yan, female, born in 1976, Doctoral candidate
This project was supported by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 30171151).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Yan, T., Zhangyin, M., Qiang, T. et al. Effect of berberine on the mRNA expression of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in rat corpus cavernosum. Current Medical Science 25, 127–130 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02873556
Received:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02873556