Rapamycin Suppresses Penile NADPH Oxidase Activity to Preserve Erectile Function in Mice Fed a Western Diet

The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a nutrient-sensitive cellular signaling kinase that has been implicated in the excess production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). NADPH oxidase-derived ROS have been implicated in erectile dysfunction pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to determine if mTOR is an activator of NADPH oxidase in the penis and to determine the functional relevance of this pathway in a translationally relevant model of diet-induced erectile dysfunction. Male mice were fed a control diet or a high-fat, high-sucrose Western style diet (WD) for 12 weeks and treated with vehicle or rapamycin for the final 4 weeks of the dietary intervention. Following the intervention, erectile function was assessed by cavernous nerve-stimulated intracavernous pressure measurement, in vivo ROS production was measured in the penis using a microdialysis approach, and relative protein contents from the corpus cavernosum were determined by Western blot. Erectile function was impaired in vehicle treated WD-mice and was preserved in rapamycin treated WD-mice. Penile NADPH oxidase-mediated ROS were elevated in WD-mice and suppressed by rapamycin treatment. Western blot analysis suggests mTOR activation with WD by increased active site phosphorylation of mTOR and p70S6K, and increased expression of NADPH oxidase subunits, all of which were suppressed by rapamycin. These data suggest that mTOR is an upstream mediator of NADPH oxidase in the corpus cavernosum in response to a chronic Western diet, which has an adverse effect on erectile function.

Endovascular Embolization of Posttraumatic High-Flow Priapism: Uncommon Arteriovenous Fistula of the Corpus Cavernosum

Background priapism is a persistent penile erection lasting more than four hours without sexual arousal or stimulation. Non-ischemic high-flow priapism is an uncommon finding. Case presentation: we report on a high-flow priapism, an uncommon arteriovenous fistula of the corpus cavernosum after a straddle trauma which was successfully treated by super selective trans-arterial embolization using a temporary embolic agent. At follow up no recurrent episodes of priapism occurred without symptoms of erectile dysfunction or other complications. Conclusion Super selective embolization has a high rate of technical success with preservation of erectile function in this case without complications.

Advanced Vascular Access in Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care

In canine and feline patients presenting in a state of hemodynamic collapse, obtaining vascular access can be challenging. Delays in achieving vascular access interfere with delivery of patient care. In human medicine, definitions of difficult vascular access are variable and include the need for multiple placement attempts or involvement of specialized teams and equipment. Incidence and risk factors for difficult vascular access have not been well studied in veterinary patients, which limits understanding of how best to address this issue. Alternatives to percutaneous peripheral or central intravenous catheterization in dogs and cats include venous cutdowns, umbilical access in newborns, corpus cavernosum access in males, ultrasound-guided catheterization, and intraosseous catheterization. In recent years, advances in ultrasonography and intraosseous access techniques have made these more accessible to veterinary practitioners. These vascular access techniques are reviewed here, along with advantages, limitations, and areas for future study of each technique.

A rare glans cavernous hemangioma in young patient: A case report

Background: Cavernous hemangioma of the glans penis is a relatively rare disease in clinical practice, caused by congenital dysplasia. Case presentation: A 20-year-old male, found a snake shaped dark purple mass on the glans penis for more than 10 years. During the operation, the tumor was seen to be about 0.5 cm away from the outer urethra. The tumor was broken longitudinally, and the boundary between the tumor and the corpus cavernosum was not clear, and the tumor was bluntly separated until it was completely removed. Postoperative pathological examination revealed a cavernous hemangioma. The patient was discharged without complications such as infection or wound dehiscence. Conclusion: With the increase of sexual demand and to avoid rupture and bleeding of glans penis cavernous hemangioma are recommend early intervention and treatment. Keywords: glans; cavernous hemangioma; treatment methods.

Application and Value of Dynamic Volume CT Multiparameter Imaging in the Diagnosis of Traumatic High-Flow Penile Abnormal Erection

Objective. To explore the clinical application of dynamic volume CT multiparameter imaging in the observation of penile hemodynamics in patients with abnormal vascular erections. Methods. 90 patients with suspected vascular abnormal erections treated in our hospital from January 2016 to January 2020 were included in the study, and 40 patients with psychologically abnormal erections were selected for the control. The corpus cavernosum injection vasoactive drug test (ICI) and dynamic volume CT and Doppler ultrasound were used to test the hemodynamics of the corpus cavernosum of all selected patients and to analyze the changes of penile length, circumference, systolic peak flow rate, diastolic peak flow rate, and blood flow resistance index in different types of penile erection disorder patients before and after ICI test. Results. Among the 90 patients with suspected vascular abnormal erection, 34 patients had arterial abnormal erection, 25 patients had venous abnormal erection, and 31 patients had mixed vascular abnormal erection. In patients with arterial abnormal erection and mixed vascular abnormal erection, penile cavernous body diameter, PSV, and abnormal erection V are smaller than those in patients with venous abnormal erection and psychological abnormal erection, while arterial abnormal erection and psychological abnormal erection are obviously higher in RI than venous abnormal erection and mixed vascular abnormal erection, and the difference is statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). Before the ICI test, there was no significant difference in the penis circumference and length between the four groups of patients with arterial abnormal erection, venous abnormal erection, mixed vascular abnormal erection, and psychological abnormal erection ( P > 0.05 ); after the ICI test, patients with arterial abnormal erections had significantly shorter penis perimeter and penis length than those with venous abnormal erections, mixed vascular abnormal erections, and psychological abnormal erections ( P < 0.05 ). Conclusion. Dynamic volume CT can clearly reflect the penile hemodynamic state of patients with vascular abnormal erections, provide a powerful diagnostic basis for accurately and effectively determining the classification of vascular abnormal erections, and be worthy of popularization and clinical use.

Partial thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum – a malignancy mimicker

Partial thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum is a rare condition, typically seen in young patients. Etiology, physiopathology and treatment are still not entirely understood. The authors report a case of a 49-year-old male with gastric cancer, who successfully treated a thrombosis of the corpus cavernosum conservatively. Diagnostic considerations and treatment options are discussed.