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Role of rho-kinase activity in angiotensin II-induced contraction of rabbit clitoral cavernosum smooth muscle

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 14, pages 472–477 (2002)Cite this article

Abstract

Isometric tension measurement using a selective Rho-kinase inhibitor (+)- (R)-trans4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide (Y-27632) and a selective myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) inhibitor 1-(5-iodonaphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-hexahydro-1,4-diazepine hydrochloride (ML7) were used in rabbit clitoral cavernosum smooth muscle (CSM). NG-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) was used to evaluate the relationship between NO release and Rho-kinase. Y-27632 significantly attenuated contractions induced by ANG II, dose-dependently. However, ML7 did not affect the contractile response to ANG II except in the high concentrations of ML7. Y-27632 inhibited contraction with phenylephrine (PhE), but ML7 did not inhibit contraction with PhE. Nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NAME) did not affect the Y-27632-induced relaxation in the pre-contracted strip with PhE. The present study demonstrates that G-protein-coupled increase in myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity mediated through the RhoA/Rho-kinase signal pathway is involved in the control by ANG II of the clitoral CSM tone. RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway acts in the ANG II-induced contraction independently of the NO pathway.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by a grant from the Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University Hospital.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Chonju, South Korea

    J K Park, S O Lee & Y G Kim

  2. Department of Physiology, Chonbuk National University Medical School and Chonbuk National University Institute for Medical Sciences and Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Chonju, South Korea

    S H Kim & K W Cho

  3. Pohang University of Science and Technology, Pohang, South Korea

    G Y Koh

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  1. J K Park
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Correspondence to J K Park.

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Park, J., Lee, S., Kim, Y. et al. Role of rho-kinase activity in angiotensin II-induced contraction of rabbit clitoral cavernosum smooth muscle. Int J Impot Res 14, 472–477 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900911

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