2402 REPRO(M) Flashcards
Flaccid state
Sympathetic nervous system keeps smooth
muscle in the corpus cavernosa and blood
vessels (arterioles) contracted
Maintains unhindered bidirectional blood
flow –> prevents blood retention
Erect state
Sexual stimulation –> release of
neurotransmitters from the cavernous nerve
terminals
Smooth muscle relaxes
Allows more blood in and clamps down on
veins (so blood can’t escape)
Erection results
External stimuli (erection) - Begins with the brain via
- Visual
- Smell
- Imaginary
- Touch
NANC nerves:
nor-adrenergic and nor-cholinergic
Stimulation pathway:
- NANC nerve
- -> Ca+2 influx
- -> production of nitric oxide (NO) - Cholinergic nerve
- -> Release of Ach
- -> Activation of muscarinic receptor on endothelial cell
- -> NO release
Nitric Oxide (NO) pathway
- NO activates guanylate cyclase which converts
GTP –> cGMP - cGMP activates protein kinaseG
- Phosphorylates certain proteins:
- -> Opens K channels
- -> Closes Ca+2 channels
- -> Ca+2 back into SR
- -> Reduced intracellular Ca+2
** Smooth muscle relaxation
Prostaglandin Pathway
- PGE1 binds to its receptor (G protein coupled
receptor) on CC smooth muscle cells - Activates adenylate cyclase
- Converts ATP –> cAMP
- cAMP activates protein kinaseA
- Phosphorylates certain proteins to cause **Nitric Oxide Pathway
Inhibiting the erect state:
Adrenergic nerve
- -> release of NA
- -> muscle contraction (detumescence)
Alprostadil
Incr. PGE1
Injection into CC tissue
Efficient
Alprostadil side effects
• Pain (PGE1) • Painful erection (priapism) lasting >8h • Redness/lump • Rash/Itching • Trouble urinating • Feeling faint • Permanent damage to penis/fibrosi
Papaverine
Less commonly used
• Mechanism of action not completely known, but
proposed to inhibit phosphodiesterase 5
- Causes vasodilation
- Only used if alprostadil use is contraindicated
- Does not induce localised pain
Phentolamine (Inhibition)
• Mechanism of action is via vasodilation as a
result of potent competitive antagonism of α1
adrenoceptors
• Generally used along with papaverine and/or
alprostadil (Trimix, also available as a gel)
• Trimix has to be formulated by a pharmacist and
used within 1-6 months (>90% effective).
- Dose is 50 to 200 ul depending on severity of problem (increase dose in 25 ul increments)
- Prescribed when single dose therapy has failed
Phosphodiesterase 5
(PDE5) inhibitors
• Need to take the pills 1
-2h before intercourse
(time to reach
tmax)
• ~70% effective in healthy patients
• Inhibits hydrolysis of cGMP
–> longer residence of cGMP
–> prolonged smooth
muscle relaxation
• Still need stimulation coming from the NANC
nerves
• The ‘fils’ are eventually metabolised/inactivated
by liver P450 3A4
(PDE5) Inhibitors
Side Effects:
- Visual isturbances
- Indigestion
- Headaches and dizziness
- Unstable angina
- Bladder pain
ED drugs may be ineffective from:
Diabetes
Veno-occlusive disorders
Hypogonadal patients
Prostate removal
Smoking