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Aging is one of the risk factors involved in the development of erectile dysfunction (ED). Growing evidence suggests that oxidative stress is the critical mediator of changes in endothelial function and penile vascular tone in the aging process. Thus, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels may preserve the bioactivity of the penile vasculature. Antioxidant compounds, such as carvacrol, limit the damage caused by ROS and, therefore, benefit the treatment of ED. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the effects of carvacrol on ED using the D-( +)-galactose aging model. The animals were divided into five groups: control, D-( +)-galactose 150 mg/kg, carvacrol 50 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg, and sildenafil 1.5 mg/kg treated daily for 8 weeks. The physiological, functional, and morphological characteristics of aging-associated ED were evaluated after treatment with carvacrol. Carvacrol prevented ED in a D-( +)-galactose-induced aging model by reducing hypercontractility, enhancing endothelial dysfunction in the rat corpus cavernosum, and improving endothelial health of rat cavernous endothelial cells. In addition, carvacrol prevented the destruction of erectile components essential for penile erection and promoted a reduction of penile tissue senescence, probably through mechanisms that involve the harmful modulation of oxidative stress. Carvacrol significantly improved the erectile function of rats in a D-( +)-galactose-induced aging model and has excellent potential as a new therapeutic alternative in treating erectile dysfunction., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are bioproducts of cellular metabolism. There is a range of molecules with oxidizing properties known as ROS. Despite those molecules being implied negatively in aging and numerous diseases, their key role in cellular signaling is evident. ROS control several biological processes such as inflammation, proliferation, and cell death. The redox signaling underlying these cellular events is one characteristic of the new generation of scientists aimed at defining the role of ROS in the cellular environment. The control of redox potential, which includes the balance of the sources of ROS and the antioxidant system, implies an important target for understanding the cells' fate derived from redox signaling. In this review, we summarized the chemical, the redox balance, the signaling, and the implications of ROS in biological aging., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interests., (Copyright © 2022 Arthur José Pontes Oliveira de Almeida et al.)

Background: Meningiomas are the most frequent primary tumors in the central nervous system (CNS), but intraorbital location is uncommon and accounts for only 0.2% to 4% of all CNS meningiomas. Lesions in this compartment could be classified as primary, secondary, or ectopic. The close relationship with the optic nerve sheath is a landmark to identify the tumor as primary, whereas secondary tumors commonly come from an extension of an intracranial meningioma, and ectopic meningioma is a concept not yet completely established., Observations: The authors present a rare case of a secondary intraorbital meningioma operated through an endoscopic endonasal approach. Secondary meningiomas at the medial orbit are very uncommon, given their more common superior and lateral location as an extension of sphenoid meningiomas. The endoscopic endonasal route provides direct access to the medial orbit. The authors present an illustrative case of a meningioma located at the medial orbit and resected through an endoscopic endonasal approach that provided excellent visualization and anatomical exposure. Additionally, the authors review the concept and possible similarities between secondary and ectopic intraorbital meningiomas., Lessons: An endoscopic endonasal approach should be considered as a feasible treatment option for intraorbital meningiomas, especially if they are in the medial orbital wall.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain penile erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual relations, and aging is one of the main risk factors involved. The D-(+)-Galactose aging model is a consolidated methodology for studies of cardiovascular aging; however, its potential for use with ED remain unexplored. The present study proposed to characterize a new experimental model for ED, using the D-(+)-Galactose aging model. For the experiments, the animals were randomly divided into three groups receiving: vehicle (CTL), D-galactose 150 mg/kg (DGAL), and D-(+)-galactose 150 mg/Kg + sildenafil 1.5 mg/Kg (DGAL+SD1.5) being administered daily for a period of eight weeks. All of the experimental protocols were previously approved by the Ethics Committee on the Use of Animals at the Federal University of Paraíba n° 9706070319. During the treatment, we analyzed physical, molecular, and physiological aspects related to the aging process and implicated in the development of ED. Our findings demonstrate for the first time that D-(+)-Galactose-induced aging represents a suitable experimental model for ED assessment. This was evidenced by an observed hyper-contractility in corpora cavernosa, significant endothelial dysfunction, increased ROS levels, an increase in cavernous tissue senescence, and the loss of essential penile erectile components., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.