Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is associated with impaired cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation (CSMR) and the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). Vardenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor has been used to treat ED. The aim of this study was to assess the in vitro and in vivo effects of vardenafil on diabetic rabbit CSMR. Methods: Organ bath studies were used. Results: Sodium nitroprusside (SNP)- and electrical field stimulation (EFS)-induced CSMR in diabetic rabbits given the vehicle was significantly impaired when compared with controls. The in vitro addition of vardenafil significantly enhanced SNP-induced CSMR in diabetic animals given the vehicle. SNP-induced CSMR in diabetic animals given in vivo vardenafil was significantly increased when compared with the diabetic untreated group. The in vitro addition of vardenafil significantly enhanced SNP and EFS-induced CSMR in cavernosal tissue taken from diabetic animals given vardenafil in vivo. Conclusions: The present findings suggest that the combination of in vitro and in vivo vardenafil enhance diabetic CSMR, reinforcing the use of vardenafil for the treatment of diabetes-induced ED.

Keywords:
Diabetic rabbits, Vardenafil, Impaired corpus cavernosal relaxation
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© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
2009
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