AB087. Preserved erectile function in the hyperhomocysteinaemia transgenic rats harboring human tissue kallikrein

Background: To investigate the role of human tissue kallikrein 1 (hKLK1) gene on the erectile dysfunction (ED) of induced by hyperhomocysteinaemia (HHcy) in rats.

Methods: The HHcy rat model was formed by a methionine (Met)-rich diet in SD rats. Here, 32 rats, 10-week-age, were divided in four groups: control (n=8), low-dose (4% Met; n=8), high-dose (7% Met; n=8) and transgenic rats (TGR +7% Met; n=8). Thirty days later, erectile function and related targets were tested.

Results: ED, impaired endothelial and smooth muscle function, and pathological changes (a higher apoptosis level and a lower autophagy level) were showed in the 4% Met and 7% Met groups compared with the control, while were all markedly diminished by the hKLK1 gene in the TGR +7% Met group.

Conclusions: These data suggested that hKLK1 might play an inhibition role on HHcy-induced ED in rats by protection of endothelial function and inhibition of oxidative stress and corporal fibrosis.

Keywords: Erectile dysfunction (ED); gene therapy; metabolism; endothelial function