J Korean Androl Soc.  1997 Jun;15(1):11-20.

Effect of Growth Hormone on Regeneration of Nitric Oxide Synthase-Containing Penile Nerves

• Jung GW
• Lue TF

Abstract

PURPOSE: As growth hormone (GH) has been reported to improve nerve regeneration, we studied its effects on the regeneration of nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-containing penile nerves and the neuron in the pelvic ganglia after unilateral cavernous nerve neurotomy in rats.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Male rats were divided into three groups: sham operation (N=14), unilateral neurotomy of a 5-mm. Segment of the cavernous nerve (N=14) with subsequent injection of buffer solution only, and unilateral neurotomy with GH injection 9N=14). Electrostimulation of the intact cavernous nerve was performed at 1 and 3 months. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase staining was used to identify NOS in penile nerve fibers of the mid-shaft segment and in neurons of the pelvic ganglia.
RESULTS
One month after unilateral neurotomy, both the buffer alone and the GH-treated groups showed a significant decrease in NOS-containing nerve fibers in the dorsal and intracavernosal nerve on the side of neurotomy. At 3 months, the number of NOS-containing nerve fibers in the buffer alone group did not increase. where as the GH-treated group showed a significant increase. In the GH-treated group, more NOs-positive neurons were found in the pelvic ganglia on the intact side than on the side of neurotomy (p<0.034), indicating that the regeneration derived from pelvic ganglion neurons on the intact side. Furthermore, electrostimulation in the GH-treated animals revealed a greater maximal intracavernosal pressure and a shorter latency period at 3 month than in those given buffer alone.
CONCLUSION
Injection of GH significantly enhanced the regeneration of NOS-containing fibers in the rat dorsal and intracavernosal nerves after unilateral cavernous nerve injury. We believe that GH administration applied in humans may present a new and more physiologic approach to the treatment of erectile dysfunction after radical pelvic surgery.

MeSH Terms

Animals
Erectile Dysfunction
Ganglia
Ganglion Cysts
Growth Hormone*
Humans
Latency Period (Psychology)
Male
NADP
Nerve Fibers
Nerve Regeneration
Neurons
Nitric Oxide Synthase
Nitric Oxide*
Penile Erection
Rats
Regeneration*
Growth Hormone
NADP
Nitric Oxide
Nitric Oxide Synthase