Ultrasound irradiation may have therapeutic effect for erectile dysfunction by up-regulating expression of heme oxygenase-1 gene in endothelial cells.

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24592442
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Urology
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: WATANABE Akihiko 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(医学), 助教 (20377253)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MORII Akihiro 富山大学, 大学病院, 診療助手 (20377279) ; OGAWA Ryohei 富山大学, 大学院医学薬学研究部(医学), 准教授 (60334736)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: ヘムオキシゲナーゼ-1 / 超音波 / 勃起不全 / 血管内皮細胞

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We found heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene up-regulation　in response to ultrasound stimulation in endothelial　cells. Data obtained from promoter analysis and microarray analysis suggested that the Nrf2/StRE signal pathway induced by oxidative stress was involved in the up-regulation. Ultrasonic irradiation to rat penis enhanced HO-1 expression in the cavernous tissue. HO-1 have the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and vasodilatory activities in addition to proangiogenic and vascular reconstitution activities of endothelial cells. Ultrasound irradiation to penis may be applied clinically for erectile dysfunction therapy.

Free Research Field

泌尿器科学