Evaluation of reactivity of cavernous smooth muscle in rats submitted to acute alteration of blood flow through the aortocaval fistula model

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is characterized as the inability to obtain or maintain a penile erection suitable for satisfactory sexual activity. Studies have demonstrated a strong association between ischemic heart disease and ED. Epidemiological studies indicate that 70% of patients with coronary artery disease have symptoms of ED. Both ED and ischemic heart disease share common risk factors, such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and smoking, which are associated with dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system, as well as alterations in important signaling pathways that control the tone of the heart. Smooth musculature, redox cellular balance and nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Erectile function depends on the integrity of nerve structures and endothelium, since these are important due to the release of NO from these sources and consequent increase of intracellular cGMP. Therefore, changes in the NO-cGMP signaling pathway result in impaired erectile function. It is known that cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are associated with acute changes in blood flow, but the erectile function impairment in these situations is little elucidated. Therefore, the understanding of the disorders that may compromise this function may help in the understanding of several pathophysiological processes, as well as to establish possible pharmacological targets and new therapeutic proposals for the approach of erectile dysfunction associated with cardiovascular diseases. (AU)