Premium
Assessment of penile erection methods in rhesus macaques to model pharmacokinetics of antiretroviral drugs and penile infection with simian immunodeficiency virus
Author(s) -
Hayes James,
Powell Nathaniel,
Lathrop George,
Heneine Walid,
Dobard Charles W.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of medical primatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.31
H-Index - 42
eISSN - 1600-0684
pISSN - 0047-2565
DOI - 10.1111/jmp.12207
Subject(s) - simian immunodeficiency virus , rhesus macaque , medicine , macaque , stimulation , simian , sildenafil , penis , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , anesthesia , virus , surgery , virology , biology , paleontology
Abstract Background An established macaque model to assess HIV interventions against penile transmission is currently not available. Physiological changes during penile erections may affect susceptibility to infection and drug pharmacokinetics ( PK ). Here, we identify methods to establish erections in macaques to evaluate penile transmission, PK , and efficacy under physiologic conditions. Methods Penile rigidity and length were evaluated in eight rhesus macaques following rectal electrostimulation ( RES ), vibratory stimulation ( VS ), or pharmacological treatment with Sildenafil Citrate (Viagra) or Alprostadil. Results Rectal electrostimulation treatment increased penile rigidity (>82%) and length (2.5 ± 0.58 cm), albeit the response was transient. In contrast, VS alone or coupled with Viagra or Alprostadil failed to elicit an erection response. Conclusion Rectal electrostimulation treatment elicits transient but consistent penile erections in macaques. High rigidity following RES treatment demonstrates increased blood flow and may provide a functional model for penile PK evaluations and possibly simian immunodeficiency virus ( SIV ) transmission under erect conditions.