Hyperuricemia Is an Independent Risk Factor for Erectile Dysfunction

Hyperuricemia may be related to the development of endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular diseases. However, the association between hyperuricemia and erectile dysfunction (ED) is not currently clear. The goal of this study is to investigate the effect of hyperuricemia on erectile function and possible mechanisms. Twenty-four 8-week-old male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group A (control): Rats received normal saline and served as controls. Group B (hyperuricemia): rats were given oxonic acid 250 mg/kg bw/day through gastric gavage for 4 weeks. Group C (febuxostat): normal rats were treated with 5 mg/kg febuxostat through gastric gavage for 4 weeks. Group D (hyperuricemia + Febuxostat): normal rats were treated with 250 mg/kg bw/day oxonic acid and 5 mg/kg bw/day febuxostat with 1 hour interval for 4 weeks. The level of serum uric acid, the maximum intracavernosal pressure (ICPmax), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phospho-eNOS, neuronal NOS, Rho-associated protein kinaise (ROCK)1 and ROCK2 and the level of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cavernous tissue were determined. The level of serum uric acid and ROS in hyperuricemic rats was significantly higher than that in the other 3 groups (P < .05). After electrostimulation with 3 and 5 voltage, the ratio of ICPmax/MAP in hyperuricemic rats was significantly less than that in other 3 groups (P < .05), respectively. eNOS, p-eNOS, and nNOS expression in hyperuricemic rats were significantly decreased compared to the other 3 groups (P < .05), respectively. Erectile function is impaired by hyperuricemia. The decrease of eNOS, p-eNOS, and nNOS protein expression and increase of ROS in cavernous tissue may be one of the key mechanisms of ED caused by hyperuricemia.