1. Testosterone relaxes human internal spermatic vein through potassium channel opening action.
- Author
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Seyrek M, Irkilata HC, Vural IM, Yildirim I, Basal S, Yildiz O, and Dayanc M
- Subjects
- Humans, In Vitro Techniques, Male, Young Adult, Muscle Relaxation physiology, Muscle, Smooth, Vascular physiology, Potassium Channels physiology, Testis blood supply, Testosterone physiology, Veins physiology
- Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the relation of testosterone-induced relaxation with smooth muscle K+ channels in human internal spermatic veins. Testosterone induces relaxation in human isolated internal spermatic veins, and this effect decreases in high-grade varicocele (recently reported)., Methods: The responses of isolated internal spermatic veins from patients with varicocele were recorded isometrically using a force displacement transducer. After contracting the venous rings with 45 mM KCl, relaxation with testosterone (0.1-300 μM) was recorded in the absence or presence of large conductance calcium-activated K+ channel and the voltage-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor tetraethylammonium, adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor glibenclamide, voltage-dependent inward rectifier K+ channel inhibitor barium chloride, and voltage-sensitive K+ channel inhibitor 4-aminopyridine., Results: Testosterone induced relaxation in human isolated internal spermatic veins in the absence of inhibitors (maximal effect 52.88±6.72, n=24). Although tetraethylammonium, barium chloride, and 4-aminopyridine did not alter the testosterone-induced relaxant responses, GLI inhibited these responses., Conclusions: These results have demonstrated that testosterone induces relaxation in human isolated internal spermatic veins of patients with varicocele by way of adenosine triphosphate-sensitive K+ channels., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2011
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