Pharmacologic and behavioral effects of alcohol on male sexual activity have long been controversial. Among the varied effects of alcohol, it has been described that ethanol reduces nitric oxide production. Appreciating the importance of nitric oxide-mediated regulation of corporal smooth muscle, this study was designed to investigate the in vitro pharmacologic effect of 1-5% ethanol on rabbit corpus cavernosum function. The results are summarized as follows. In isolated organ bath experiments, basal resting tension of corporal strips was significantly reduced with 3 and 5% ethanol exposure. Relaxation induced by field stimulation over a frequency range of 2-16 Hz was significantly decreased with 3 and 5% ethanol exposure. However, field-stimulated contraction at 32 Hz was reduced by 5% ethanol only. When corporal strips were prein-cubated with phenylephrine, 3 and 5% ethanol significantly inhibited field stimulated relaxation at all frequencies. Both phasic and tonic contraction induced by phenylephrine was significantly suppressed by 3 and 5% ethanol. KCl-induced contraction was decreased by 5% ethanol. ATP-induced relaxation was significantly enhanced by 1, 3 and 5% ethanol. Bethanechol-induced relaxation was significantly suppressed by 1, 3 and 5% ethanol. Direct nitroprusside-induced relaxation was not affected by any concentration of ethanol administration. These results demonstrated that ethanol had significant effects on both contraction and relaxation of rabbit corpus cavernosum. In general, corporal relaxation mediated through the acetylcholine-L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway was significantly more sensitive to ethanol than either ATP- or nitroprusside-induced relaxation.

Keywords:
Corpus cavernosum, Ethanol, Impotence
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1994 S. Karger AG, Basel
1994
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.