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Oral l ‐citrulline supplementation improves erectile function and penile structure in castrated rats
Author(s) -
Hotta Yuji,
Shiota Arufumi,
Kataoka Tomoya,
Motonari Marina,
Maeda Yasuhiro,
Morita Masahiko,
Kimura Kazunori
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1111/iju.12362
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , citrulline , erectile dysfunction , arginine , testosterone (patch) , chemistry , amino acid , biochemistry
Objectives To investigate the efficacy of oral l ‐citrulline for erectile dysfunction and penile structure disruption in a rat model. Methods Male W istar‐ ST rats aged 15 weeks were randomly divided into three groups as follows: sham‐operated rats (control group), surgically castrated rats (castrated group) and surgically castrated rats subsequently treated with 2% l ‐citrulline water (castrated + l ‐citrulline). At 4 weeks postoperative, erectile function was assessed based on intracavernous pressure changes, followed by electrostimulation of cavernous nerves and calculation of maximum intracavernous pressure/mean arterial pressure. Penile structure was evaluated by M asson's trichrome staining and the smooth muscle‐to‐collagen ratio was calculated. The serum bioavailable testosterone, l ‐arginine, l ‐citrulline, N G , N G ‐dimethylarginine and nitrogen oxide levels were evaluated. Results The bioavailable testosterone concentrations were decreased in the castrated and castrated + l ‐citrulline groups compared with the control group at 4 weeks after surgery. The intracavernous pressure‐to‐mean arterial pressure and smooth muscle‐to‐collagen ratios were significantly decreased in the castrated group compared with the control group, but significantly increased in the castrated + l ‐citrulline group compared with the castrated group. The serum l ‐citrulline, l ‐arginine and N G , N G ‐dimethylarginine levels, and the l ‐arginine‐to ‐N G , N G ‐dimethylarginine ratios were significantly increased in the castrated + l ‐citrulline group compared with the castrated group. The serum nitrogen oxide levels were increased in the castrated + l ‐citrulline group compared with the castrated group. Conclusions Oral l ‐citrulline can improve the erectile response to electric stimulation of cavernous nerve and penile structure in castrated rats.