Aging and Orchidectomy Modulate Expression of VEGF Receptors (Flt-1 and Flk-1) on Corpus Cavernosum of the Rat
Aging and Orchidectomy Modulate Expression of VEGF Receptors (Flt-1 and Flk-1) on Corpus Cavernosum of the Rat
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DOI：
10.1196/annals.1354.020
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发表时间：
2006-01-01
期刊：
影响因子：
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通讯作者：
Vendeira, Pedro
中科院分区：
文献类型：
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作者：
Neves, Delminda;Santos, Janete;Vendeira, Pedro
衰老和性腺功能低下是勃起功能障碍(ED)的已知危险因素，共同导致阴茎组织的血管损伤。本研究用免疫荧光共聚焦技术检测了正常大鼠、12月龄和18月龄大鼠以及去势Wistar大鼠(双侧摘除90d)海绵体组织中血管内皮生长因子受体(VEGFR-1/Flt-1和VEGFR-2/Flk-1)的表达。免疫细胞化学结果显示VEGFR-2在对照组和去大鼠的表达均局限于内皮细胞。老龄动物(12个月和18个月)血管增大，VEGFR-2内皮细胞染色强烈。另一方面，VEGFR-1在血管内皮细胞周围的平滑肌纤维中也有表达，而对照组和去大鼠的血管内皮细胞表达水平很低。然而，在老年大鼠中，观察到了导致VEGFR-1和VEGFR-2在内皮细胞中共同定位的变化。这些发现表明，在大鼠衰老过程中，海绵体中VEGFR-1的表达上调，这从内皮细胞的表达增加中可见一斑。
Aging and hypogonadic states are known risk factors for erectile dysfunction (ED), contributing together to vascular damage of penile tissue. In the present study, VEGF-specific membrane receptor (VEGFR-1/Flt-1 and VEGFR-2/Flk-1) expression was studied by confocal immunofluorescence in the corpus cavernosum of control rats, rats aged 12 and 18 months, and orchidectomized Wistar rats (90 days of bilateral orchidectomy). Immunocytochemical results demonstrated VEGFR-2 expression restricted to the endothelium in both control and orchidectomized rats. Aged animals (12 and 18 months) presented enlarged vessels with intense VEGFR-2 endothelial staining. On the other hand, VEGFR-1 was demonstrated in smooth muscle fibers, particularly in those that surround vessel endothelium, the endothelial expression being very low in control and orchidectomized rats. However, in the aged rats, a shift resulting in a VEGFR-1 and VEGFR-2 co-localization in the endothelial cell was observed. The findings suggest an upregulation of VEGFR-1 in the corpora cavernosa during aging in the rat, which is evident from an increased expression by endothelial cells.