Resveratrol, an activator of SIRT1, restores erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

Abstract

The high incidence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in diabetes highlights a need for effective treatment strategies. Resveratrol, an activator of silent information regulator 2-related enzymes 1 (sirtuin1, SIRT1), has received attention for its valuable effects in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, longevity and cardiovascular disease. To explore the effects of resveratrol in diabetes-induced ED, resveratrol was administered to rats with streptozocin (65 mg kg 21 )-induced diabetes. Erectile function, cavernous structure, tissue protein expression of silent information regulator 2-related enzymes 1 (sirtuin1, SIRT1), p53 and forkhead transcription factor O 3a (FOXO3a), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the corpora cavernosa were studied. We found that SIRT1 was expressed in cavernosal tissue, and it was downregulated in the corpora of diabetic rats. The administration of resveratrol upregulated the expression of SIRT1 and restored erectile function. In contrast, resveratrol downregulated the expression of p53 and FOXO3a, which regulate apoptosis and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the resveratrol-treated group showed an improvement in smooth muscle content, SOD activity and MDA levels when compared with the diabetic group. Therefore, the ability of resveratrol to improve diabetes-induced ED is likely related to its activation of SIRT1 expression, thus causing the suppression of apoptosis and resistance towards oxidative stress.

Evaluation of Prolidase Activity, Oxidative Stress, and Antioxidant Enzyme Levels in Testicular and Penile Tissues after Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Treatment in Rats by Predicting Infertility and Erectile Dysfunction

“…They also used tissue levels of TBARS as an indicator of oxidative stress. Yu et al [29] studied SOD activity and levels of TBARS as a measure of oxidative stress in the corpus cavernosum. SOD is a major cellular defense against the superoxide and TBARS is a reactive aldehyde and one of the many reactive electrophile species that can cause the toxic stress in cells.…”

Mitochondrial dynamics in degenerative disease and disease models

“…Targeting these pathways for therapeutic intervention may be achieved by increasing activity of upstream regulators of biogenesis such as the TOR pathway, Sirtuins, NAD+ boosters and AMPK [117][118][119] or by increasing activity of downstream effectors of biogenesis such as TFAM, PGC-1α and NRF-1 [120]. The most understood pharmacological agents from these pathways are the SIRT1 doi: 10.7243/2052-6946-1-8 agonists SRT1720 and SRT 2104 both of which have been shown to increase lifespan in mice [121]. Future studies into SIRT1 agonists may lead to new pharmacological treatments for mitochondrial disease but no current clinical study has shown a positive effect in human hosts.…”

Diabetes mellitus-induced male reproductive impairment: The role of natural products: A review

“…-↑ ↓ Oxidative stress in corpus cavernosum, ↓ corporal tissue apoptosis and ↑ penile erectile function (Yu et al, 2013). Rutin (flavonoid) 50 and 100mg/kg/day, et al, 2015).…”