Testosterone increases corpus cavernous smooth muscle cells in oxidative stress-induced rodents (Sprague-Dawley)

Testosterone increases corpus cavernous smooth muscle cells in oxidative stress-induced rodents (Sprague-Dawley) I Nyoman Gede Wardana, IGA Widianti, Gede Wirata Background: Nowadays, there are many researchers interested in the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiological mechanism against erectile dysfunction. Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between pro-oxidant and the ability of the antioxidants to scavenge excess reactive oxygen species. The important role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiological mechanism of male and female infertility has been known. However, its role in maintaining the integrity structure of penile erectile tissue especially corpus cavernous smooth muscle cell has not been investigated comprehensively yet. In another side, testosterone has a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the penile erectile tissue. Aim: This study aims to investigate the effect of oxidative stress condition on the administration of testosterone for increasing corpus cavernous smooth muscle cells. Methods: The experiment uses pretest-posttest control group design. Data were collected from 40 rodent’s strain SD (Sprague-Dawley). Ten penile organs were removed before stress, and 30 rodents given psychosocial stress for 6 weeks. After the third-week of stress, 10 penile organs were removed. At the beginning of the fourth week, 20 rodents were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group (untreated mouse), were treated with an intramuscular aquabides injection and the case group were treated with intramuscular testosterone injection (case group). Five penile organs from each group were removed to observe the corpus cavernous smooth muscle cells number at the sixth weeks of the stress. During the six week stress, blood samples were collected for MDA and SOD measurement at the beginning, at the third week, and at the sixth week. Results: This study found that oxidative stress decreases the corpus cavernous smooth muscle cell (CCSM) number significantly. The number of CCSM before stress 20,20 ± 1,23, and after the third-week of stress is 14,20 ± 1,03 (P < 0,05). In addition, the administration of testosterone at the beginning of fourth-week of stress raises CCSM number significantly. The number of CCSM before treatment is 13,80 ± 0,84, and after treatment is 18,40 ± 1,14. Conclusion: There was a significant elevation of CCSM number without being affected by oxidative stress in this study.