Abstract

To determine nitric oxide synthase content in chronic diabetic rat penis and the effect of vitamin E on nitric oxide synthase in diabetic rats.

7” Male, young-adult Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 180-250 gr were divided into three groups: diabetic (n: 10), diabetic rats receiving vitamin E (n: 8) and non-diabetic control group (n: 8). Diabetes was established by introduction of streptozotocin 65 mg/kg intraperitoneally in single dose. To cight of diabetic rats, 48 hours after streptozotocin injection, vitamin E was administered 90 mg/48 hours intraperitoneally. Eight weeks later, the rats were sacrificed and the penises were excised en-bloc. Cryostat sections were cut at 7 um, stained with NADPH- diaphorase stain and stained regions were counted under the microscope.

While scarse staining was present in diabetic group, better straining pattern was present in vitamin E group and best staining was present in the non-diabetic control group. Mean number of stained regions were 21415 in diabetic group, 78432 in diabetic rats receiving vitamin E and 184446 in non-diabetic, control group.

Nitric oxide synthase content was decreased in diabetic rats and we believe that vitamin E administiration may have some beneficial effect on preserving penile nitric oxide synthase content.