Long-Term Treatment of Clonidine, Atenolol, Amlodipine and Dihydrochlorothiazide, but Not Enalapril, Impairs the Sexual Function in Male Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the impact of representative antihypertensive drugs of 5 classes on the sexual function in male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at doses that achieved similar blood pressure (BP) reduction. The experiment was performed in 6 groups of male SHR. The dose are 20 μg/kg/day for clonidine, 3 mg/kg/day for enalapril, 20 mg/kg/day for atenolol, 2 mg/kg/day for amlodipine, and 10 mg/kg/day for dihydrochlorothiazide. SHR were treated for 3 months, and then the penile erection and sexual behavior were detected. After BP recording, SHR were killed to evaluate the organ-damage, weight of accessory sex organs and levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone in serum. Five drugs had the similar efficacy on BP reduction. All drugs except of enalapril, significantly prolonged the mount latency, and decreased the mount frequency (P<0.05). Clonidine also reduced the conception rate (45% vs. 80% in control group, P<0.05). Amlodipine and dihydrochlorothiazide significantly increased the testosterone level (0.79±0.30, 0.80±0.34 vs. 0.49±0.20 in control group, unit: ng/dl, P<0.05). Enalapril, atenolol and amlodipine also significantly decreased the BP variability (systolic, 8.2±2.5, 7.6±1.8, 8.9±2.0 vs. 12.2±3.8 in control group, unit: mm Hg). All these drugs significantly decreased the organ-damage (P<0.05). In conclusion, long-term treatment with 5 common antihypertensive drugs possessed obvious organ protection in SHR. Clonidine, atenolol, amlodipine and dihydrochlorothiazide, but not enalapril, impair sexual function.

The Protective Impact of Vitamin E against Atenolol Effect on Reproductive Efficiency in Male Rats

“…Also the effect of oral intubation of atenolol (T1), atenolol plus vitamin E (T2) and vitamin E (T3) on gonadosomatic index are clarified a significant (P<0.05) decrease in gonadosomatic index compared to other groups throughout the experiment. Our results show atenolol treatment did not affect the gonadosomatic index (GSI) significantly and this results reinforced with (Lin et al, 2015). A significant decrease in sperm aviability was detected in group T1 after 56 days of treatment with atenolol may be due to oxidative insult which effect on sperm DNA and male fertility and could be effect on spermatogenisis and steroid biosynthesis of Leydig cells (Sakr et al, 2013) or may be due to the effect of atenolol on concentration of testosterone (Khan et al, 2004) promote spermatogenesis and maintenance of sperm production (Pineda et al, 2003).…”

Effect of prescription medications on erectile dysfunction

“…In men with metabolic syndrome, irbesartan was found to improve sexual desire, frequency of sexual contacts and erectile function—even when paired with hydrochlorothiazide 31. A study looking at the long-term treatment of male hypertensive rats with clonidine, atenolol, dihydrochlorothiazide and enalapril found that enalapril was the only agent to not impair sexual function 32. In a cross-over study comparing lisinopril and atenolol, both groups exhibited a decrease in sexual activity, with a more drastic decrease in men receiving atenolol.…”

Effects of Amlodipine on Bone Metabolism in Orchidectomised Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

“…Accordingly, the N/L-type CCB has a probability of less activation of the renin-angiotensin system [18]. Moreover, the administration of AML suppresses an inflammatory response by reducing the production of TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-6 [19], all of which are osteoclastogenic [20, 21]. Lin demonstrated that AML compared to the control group significantly increased the testosterone level in male SHR without affecting the levels of the follicle-stimulating and luteinizing hormone [21].…”