D-(+)-Galactose-induced aging: A novel experimental model of erectile dysfunction

PLoS One. 2021 Apr 15;16(4):e0249487. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249487. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual relations, and aging is one of the main risk factors involved. The D-(+)-Galactose aging model is a consolidated methodology for studies of cardiovascular aging; however, its potential for use with ED remain unexplored. The present study proposed to characterize a new experimental model for ED, using the D-(+)-Galactose aging model. For the experiments, the animals were randomly divided into three groups receiving: vehicle (CTL), D-galactose 150 mg/kg (DGAL), and D-(+)-galactose 150 mg/Kg + sildenafil 1.5 mg/Kg (DGAL+SD1.5) being administered daily for a period of eight weeks. All of the experimental protocols were previously approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals at the Federal University of Paraíba n° 9706070319. During the treatment, we analyzed physical, molecular, and physiological aspects related to the aging process and implicated in the development of ED. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that D-(+)-Galactose-induced aging represents a suitable experimental model for ED assessment. This was evidenced by an observed hyper-contractility in corpora cavernosa, significant endothelial dysfunction, increased ROS levels, an increase in cavernous tissue senescence, and the loss of essential penile erectile components.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging* / drug effects
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Erectile Dysfunction / etiology*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / metabolism
  • Galactose / adverse effects*
  • Galactose / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Penile Erection
  • Penis / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Sildenafil Citrate / adverse effects
  • Sildenafil Citrate / pharmacology

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Galactose

Grants and funding

- Mathania Silva de Almeida Rezende received a scholarship from CAPES (process number 88887507825/202000) Isac Almeida de Medeiros received grant from CNPQ (process number 427783/2016-0).