Nitric Oxide: A Physiologic Mediator of Penile Erection
- 17 July 1992
- journal article
- Published by American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in Science
- Vol. 257 (5068), 401-403
- https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1378650
Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) is a cytotoxic agent of macrophages, a messenger molecule of neurons, and a vasodilator produced by endothelial cells. NO synthase, the synthetic enzyme for NO, was localized to rat penile neurons innervating the corpora cavernosa and to neuronal plexuses in the adventitial layer of penile arteries. Small doses of NO synthase inhibitors abolished electrophysiologically induced penile erections. These results establish NO as a physiologic mediator of erectile function.Keywords
This publication has 34 references indexed in Scilit:
- Involvement of nitric oxide in the reflex relaxation of the stomach to accommodate food or fluidNature, 1991
- Glutamate, nitric oxide and cell-cell signalling in the nervous systemTrends in Neurosciences, 1991
- Role of nitric oxide synthesis in macrophage antimicrobial activityCurrent Opinion in Immunology, 1991
- Localization of nitric oxide synthase indicating a neural role for nitric oxideNature, 1990
- Biosynthesis and Metabolism of Endothelium-Derived Nitric OxideAnnual Review of Pharmacology and Toxicology, 1990
- Penile Response to Intracavernosal Vasoactive Intestinal Polypeptide Alone and in Combination with Other Vasoactive AgentsBritish Journal of Urology, 1989
- Autonomic innervation of reproductive organs: Analysis of the neurons whose axons project in the main penile nerve in the pelvic plexus of the ratThe Anatomical Record, 1989
- Nitric oxide: A cytotoxic activated macrophage effector moleculeBiochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 1988
- Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (vip) as a putative neurotransmitter in penile erectionLife Sciences, 1983
- The obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholineNature, 1980