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Resveratrol treatment may preserve the erectile function after radiotherapy by restoring antioxidant defence mechanisms, SIRT1 and NOS protein expressions

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 30, pages 179–188 (2018)Cite this article

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Abstract

Radiotherapy (RT) for prostate cancer (PC) can cause erectile dysfunction (ED) by damaging neurovascular structures with oxidative stress. In this study, we evaluated the effects of resveratrol, an antioxidant, on post-RT ED. Fifty rats in five groups were evaluated; control (C), prostate-confined radiotherapy with short- and long-term vehicle or resveratrol treatment. Cavernosal tissues were obtained to analyze glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxy-guanosine (8-OHdG) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD), caspase-3 activities, sirtuin-1, Foxo-3, nNOS, and eNOS protein expressions. Intracavernosal pressures (ICP) were measured for the long-term treatment group. In the RT + long-term vehicle treatment group, tissue GSH, NO, cGMP, and SOD activity were decreased while 8-OHdg levels and caspase-3 activities were increased. Radiotherapy caused a decrease in sirtuin-1, nNOS, and eNOS protein expressions. These parameters were reversed by resveratrol treatment. Foxo-3 protein expressions were unaltered in the RT + short-term vehicle treatment group and started to increase as a defense mechanism in the RT + long-term vehicle group; however, resveratrol treatment caused a significant increase in Foxo-3 expressions. Resveratrol preserved the metabolic pathways involved in erectile function and provided functional protection. Resveratrol can be used as a supplementary agent in patients undergoing radiotherapy to preserve erectile function.

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Funding

This study was supported by Marmara University Scientific Research Projects Committee with the grant number SAG-B-100914–0311.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Tarik Emre Sener, Ilker Tinay & Ferruh Simsek

  2. Department of Urology, Istanbul Bilim University, Istanbul Florence Nightingale Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey

    Hasan Huseyin Tavukcu

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Beste Melek Atasoy & Ayse Dagli Degerli

  4. Department of Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy, Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey

    Ozge Cevik

  5. Department of Histology & Embryology, School of Medicine, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Ozlem Tugce Kaya & Sule Cetinel

  6. Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Acibadem University, Istanbul, Turkey

    Cem Akbal

  7. Department of Urology, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Agrigento, Italy

    Salvatore Butticè

  8. Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, Marmara University, Istanbul, Italy

    Goksel Sener

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  1. Tarik Emre Sener
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Correspondence to Tarik Emre Sener.

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Sener, T.E., Tavukcu, H.H., Atasoy, B.M. et al. Resveratrol treatment may preserve the erectile function after radiotherapy by restoring antioxidant defence mechanisms, SIRT1 and NOS protein expressions. Int J Impot Res 30, 179–188 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41443-018-0042-6

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