抄録
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of electro acupuncture (EA) on erectile function in anesthetized male rats. Intracavernous pressure (ICP) during penile erection that was induced by electric stimulation to the cavernous nerve was measured. ICP index (filling, mean ICP, emptying, and mean ICP/mean blood pressure ratio) were calculated in before and after EA. EA was performed to the sacral area, which was penetrated 10 mm subcutaneously. In the results, ICP did not change after EA with electricity at 2 mA. ICP index, however, was significant decreased after EA at 6 mA. To determine the role of the sympathetic nerve on this result, it was denervated by 6-hydroxydopamine. After sympathetectomy, both of filling and emptying were not decreased after EA at 6 mA. Still the changes of means of ICP and ICP/mean blood pressure ratio were obtained after EA. Decrease of ICP index was disappeared after proximal denervation of the cavernous nerve on site of electrical stimulation. These results suggest that the EA stimulation affects erectile function via the sympathetic nerve pathway. And it is considered that parasympathetic and/or non adrenergic-non cholinergic nervous system might be related the changes of mean ICP. [J Physiol Sci. 2007;57 Suppl:S242]
