Involvement of Rho‐Kinase/LIM Kinase/Cofilin Signaling Pathway in Corporal Fibrosis after Cavernous Nerve Injury in Male Rats

摘要: Abstract Introduction The molecular mechanism of corporal fibrosis leading to erectile dysfunction (ED) following cavernous nerve (CN) injury is poorly understood. Aim To determine whether the LIMK2/cofilin pathway, downstream effectors ROCK1, was involved in ED and bilateral CN male rats. Methods Forty‐eight 10‐week‐old Sprague‐Dawley rats were equally divided into three groups: sham surgery (S); crush (I); resection (R). Within each groups, two subgroups analyzed at 1 4 weeks postoperatively. Main Outcome Measures Electrostimulation performed assess function by ratio maximal intracavernous pressure mean arterial (ICP/MAP) areas under ICP curve MAP (AUC/MAP). Penile tissue processed for Masson's trichrome staining, Western blot (ROCK1, total LIMK2, phospho‐LIMK2, cofilin, phospho‐cofilin), immunohistochemistry (alpha‐SM actin [α‐SMA]), double immunofluorescent staining vimentin). Results At time point, both I R groups showed a significantly lower percent ICP/MAP AUC, decreased SM cell/collagen expression α‐SMA than S group. Densitometry revealed higher ROCK1 compared with group all points. LIMK2 phosphorylation increased week, but not weeks. cofilin that starting while noted coexpression vimentin or phospho‐LIMK2 mainly subtunical area week Conclusions ROCK1/LIMK2/cofilin pathway may be related fibrosis, it appears functional particularly early period after injury. Song SH, Park K, Kim SW, Paick J‐S, Cho MC. Involvement Rho‐kinase/LIM kinase/cofilin signaling J Sex Med 2015;12:1522–1532.