Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBP) on erectile function recovery in a rat model of cavernous nerve (CN) crush injury.
Methods: Rats were randomly divided into five groups: sham group, injured control group, and three experimental groups (group A, B, C, with an oral administration of LBP at 1, 7, and 14 day respectively after CN crush injury for 2 weeks). Malondialdehyde (MDA), super oxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, and 12 week. Intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were assessed at 12 week. Myelinated axons of CN and Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) containing nerve fibres were evaluated. Endothelial NOS (eNOS) protein expression and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level were measured.
Results: SOD and GPX activities in experimental group A were significantly higher than those in other four groups at 1 and 2 week. MDA levels in experimental group A were significantly lower than those in other four groups at 2 and 4 week. The peak ICP and peak ICP/MAP ratio in experimental group A were significantly higher than those in injured control group and other two experimental groups at 12 week. The number of myelinated axons, NADPH-diaphorase-positive nerve fibres, phospho-eNOS protein expression and cGMP level were in concordance with the results of peak ICP and peak ICP/MAP ratio.
Conclusions: The application of LBP in the first 2 weeks after CN crush injury promotes nerve regeneration and erectile function recovery via an antioxidative mechanism.
