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Study of functioning of same key protein that is seen in erectile dysfunction as well as cardiovascular system functions

The following is study done by researchers in Germany’s Hannover Medical School’s Division of Surgery, Department of Urology and Urological Oncology.

Can we use medicines such as Viagra © for prevention and or cure of heart attack, stroke?

We study to search if the same molecules are at play in heart muscle infarction and erectile dysfunction.

This is one such study that shows that a (cAK) key protein that affects functions of the cardiovascular system also affects blood supply in penis resulting in Erectile Dysfunction.

We are fascinated by medicines that improve erectile dysfunction because we wonder if the same medicines can be useful in improving blood supply to heart, brain and other organs just as they do for penis.

The artilce begins here:
Source:
Journal of Sexual Medicine

Expression of Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase Isoforms in Human Cavernous Arteries: Functional Significance and Relation to Phosphodiesterase Type 4

Eginhard S. Waldkirch, MD,* Stefan Ückert, PhD,* Katja Sigl, PhD, † Imke Satzger, MD, ‡ Ulrike Geismar, MD, § Kristina Langnäse, PhD, ¶ Karin Richter, PhD, ¶ Michael Sohn, MD,** Markus A. Kuczyk, MD, PhD,* and Petter Hedlund, MD, PhD ††
*Hannover Medical School—Division of Surgery, Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Hannover, Germany; † MorphoSys AG, Martinsried, Germany; ‡ Hannover Medical School—Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Hannover, Germany; § Private Dermatological Practice, Hannover, Germany; ¶ Otto-von-Guericke-University, Faculty of Medicine—Institute for Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Magdeburg, Germany; **Frankfurter Diakonie-Kliniken, St. Markus Academic Hospital—Department of Urology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; †† University Vita Salute, Faculty of Medicine, San Raffaele Hospital—Department of Urology, Urological Research Institute, Milan, Italy
Correspondence to Stefan Uckert, PhD, Department of Urology, Hannover Medical School, Carl-Neuberg-Str. 1, Hannover 30625, Germany. Tel: +49 511 5 32 34 37; Fax: +49 511 5 32 84 37; E-mail: E-mail: streetgang@gmx.de

KEYWORDS
Human Cavernous Arteries • Protein Kinase A • PDE5 Inhibitors • Vasculogenic Erectile Dysfunction

ABSTRACT

Introduction. The cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (cAK) is considered a key protein in the control of smooth muscle tone in the cardiovascular system. There is evidence that erectile dysfunction might be linked to systemic vascular disorders and arterial insufficiency, subsequently resulting in structural changes in the penile tissue. The expression and significance of cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase (cAK) in human cavernous arteries (HCA) have not been evaluated.

AIMS

To evaluate the expression of (cAK) isoforms in HCA and examine the role of (cAK) in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)- and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-mediated control of penile vascular smooth muscle.

METHODS

The expression and distribution of phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE4) and cAK isoforms in sections of HCA were investigated by means of immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. The effects of the cAK inhibitor Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS on the relaxation of isolated preparations of HCA (diameter > 100 µm) induced by rolipram, sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil were studied using the organ bath technique.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Investigate the expression of cAK in relation to α-actin and PDE4 in HCA and evaluate the effects of an inhibition of cAK on the relaxation induced by inhibitors of PDE4 and PDE5 of isolated penile arteries.

RESULTS

Immunosignals specific for cAKIα, IIα, and IIβ were observed within the wall of HCA. Double stainings revealed colocalization of cAK with α-actin and PDE4. The expression of cAK isoforms was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The reversion of tension induced by inhibitors of PDE4 and PDE5 of isolated penile vascular tissue were attenuated significantly by Rp-8-CPT-cAMPS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate the expression of cAK isoforms in the smooth musculature of HCA and its colocalization with PDE4. A significant role for cAK in the regulation mediated by cAMP and cGMP of vascular smooth muscle tone in HCA can also be assumed. Waldkirch ES, Ückert S, Sigl K, Satzger I, Geismar U, Langnäse K, Richter K, Sohn M, Kuczyk MA, and Hedlund P. Expression of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase isoforms in human cavernous arteries: Functional significance and relation to phosphodiesterase type 4. J Sex Med **;**:**–**.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Journal of Sexual Medicine
DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER (DOI)
10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01808.x About DOI

AU: Eginhard S. Waldkirch
AU: Stefan Ückert
AU: Katja Sigl
AU: Imke Satzger
AU: Ulrike Geismar
AU: Kristina Langnäse
AU: Karin Richter
AU: Michael Sohn
AU: Markus A. Kuczyk
AU: Petter Hedlund
TI: Expression of Cyclic AMP-dependent Protein Kinase Isoforms in Human Cavernous Arteries: Functional Significance and Relation to Phosphodiesterase Type 4
SO: Journal of Sexual Medicine
VL: 9999
NO: 9999
YR: 2010
CP: © 2010 International Society for Sexual Medicine
ON: 1743-6109
PN: 1743-6095
AD: Hannover Medical SchoolDivision of Surgery, Department of Urology and Urological Oncology, Hannover, Germany; ; MorphoSys AG, Martinsried, Germany; ; Hannover Medical SchoolDepartment of Dermatology and Allergology, Hannover, Germany; ; Private Dermatological Practice, Hannover, Germany; ; Otto-von-Guericke-University, Faculty of MedicineInstitute for Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Magdeburg, Germany; ; Frankfurter Diakonie-Kliniken, St. Markus Academic HospitalDepartment of Urology, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; ; University Vita Salute, Faculty of Medicine, San Raffaele HospitalDepartment of Urology, Urological Research Institute, Milan, Italy
DOI: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01808.x
US: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1743-6109.2010.01808.x

GIRSH KENOY – PEGNANCY DATES -CLOSER

Recent study published in the Journal of Physiology and Behavior Gert J.Ter Horst, Team at the University Medical Center Groningen, Netherlands,
“We conclude that the female brain has a different innate strategy to handle stress than the male brain and that female animal models are necessary for studying the underlying mechanisms and options for treatment.

Women in the reproductive age are more vulnerable to develop affective disorders than men. This difference may attribute to anatomical differences, hormonal influences and environmental factors such as stress. However, the higher prevalence in women normalizes once menopause is established, suggesting that ovarian hormones may play an important role in the development of depression in women.

“We conclude that the female brain has a different innate strategy to handle stress than the male brain” _ study authors
The higher prevalence of depression due to Ovarian Hormones (Estrogen) in women that is observed in in reproductive age normalizes after menopause.

Ovarian hormones such as estrogen can pass the brain-blood barrier and bind to cytoplasmatic estrogen receptor (ER)-alpha and ER-beta in different areas of the limbic system. During stress, estrogen can modulate the behavioral and neurobiological response depending on the concentrations of estrogen. In this review we present evidence for disparate effects of chronic stress on neuroplasticity and brain activity in male and female rats. Furthermore, we will demonstrate that effects of social support on coping with stress can be mimicked by social housing of rats and that this model can be used for identification of underlying neurobiological mechanisms, including behavior, phosphorylation of CREB and ERK1/2, and brain activity changes as measured with fos expression. Using cyclic administration of estrogen in ovariectomized female rats we could specifically address effects of different plasma estrogen levels and antidepressants on stress-induced neuroplasticity and activity changes. In this model we also studied effects of estrogen on recovery after chronic stress. We conclude that the female brain has a different innate strategy to handle stress than the male brain and that female animal models are necessary for studying the underlying mechanisms and options for treatment.

ScienceDirect – Physiology & Behavior : Sex differences in stress responses: Focus on ovarian hormones

Study Team
Gert J. Ter Horst, Romy Wichmanna, Marjolein Gerritsa, Christel Westenbroeka and Yanhua Lina

Dept. Neuroscience, Neuroimaging Center & Section Anatomy, University Medical Center Groningen, Antonius Deusinglaan 2, PO Box 196, 9700 AD Groningen, The Netherlands

Received 9 December 2008;
revised 3 February 2009;
accepted 20 February 2009.
Available online 9 March 2009.
Accessed online 20 March 2009

Source
Sex differences in stress responses
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.physbeh.2009.02.036

Journal of Physiology and Behavior

Corresponding Author Contact InformationCorresponding author. Tel.: +31 503635111; fax: +31 503638875.

In experimental studies with rats, the research team at the University of Iowa found that salt deprived rats show disinterest (as though depressed) in pleasurable activity and remarkably regain interest on giving required salt.
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Experiment OBSERVATION
The research team found, “Things that normally would be pleasurable for rats didn’t elicit the same degree of relish.”
Give the rats salt again and “they’re all happy,” Johnson says.
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Experiment INFERENCE
According to Kim Alan Johnson Ph.D, Professor of Psychology , Integrative Physiology, and Pharmacology the research, “leads us to believe that a salt deficit and the craving associated with it can induce one of the key symptoms associated with depression.”

Fatigue, depression, antidepressant, tiredness Check Now with Health-meter ©

Pros = THINK
Doctor’s should note that craving for salt by individuals who are forbidden to eat excess salt may be nature’s call saying, “I need the salt to feel good.”

Cons = BEWARE
Doctor’s have known the relation of salt and cardiovascular function.
The extra salt that is consumed through canned food and junk food is proven to be harmful.

The worldwide average for salt intake per individual is about 10 grams per day, which is greater than the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommended intake by about 4 grams, and may exceed what the body actually needs by more than 8 grams.

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TAKE HOME MESSAGE
Salt is related to brain functions, especially where interest and disinterest is processed.
This is not evidence saying the extra salt that we consume in canned food is good.
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LINKS
[1] Alan Johnson
[2] Journal of Physiology and Behavior
[3] National Geographic News
Titled:
Is Salt Nature’s Antidepressant?
By:
Helen Fields
for National Geographic News
Date:
March 17, 2009
Date accessed:
March 20, 2009
© 1996-2008 National Geographic Society. All rights reserved.

[4]
Title Salt May Be a
Natural Antidepressant
AOL news
By: AOL
posted: 13 HOURS 9 MINUTES AGO
comments: 31
filed under: Health News
Accessed March 20, 2009
2009 AOL LLC. All Rights Reserved.
2009-03-11 12:49:14
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[5]elsevier.com

Findings detailed in the journal Physiology and Behavior.
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