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Neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity mediates Lycium barbarum polysaccharides-enhanced sexual performance without stimulating noncontact erection in rats

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Abstract

Rationale

Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) is known to promote reproductive functions. However, its role in noncontact erection (NCE) of penis initiated by brain regions including medial preoptic area (MPOA) and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) regions responsible for sexual behavior has not been investigated.

Objectives

Therefore, this study initially investigated the effects of LBP on male sexual function, and subsequently, the mechanistic insight was investigated through assessing the expression of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) in the MPOA and PVN.

Methods

The adult male rats were treated with 100 mg/kg of LBP or vehicle by oral gavage. Before and after 14 days of treatment, copulatory behavior and noncontact erection (NCE) were recorded. After the last behavioral test, the brain was isolated to measure nNOS expression in the MPOA and PVN.

Results

Data showed that LBP treatment significantly increased both the frequencies of intromission as well as ejaculation, compared to the control group. Whereas, a reduced post-ejaculatory interval was observed compared to same group on day 0. Furthermore, the treatment led to an increased intromission ratio, inter-intromission interval, and the number of MPOA nNOS-immunoreactive cells (nNOS-ir). Additionally, a significantly positive correlation between ejaculation frequency and MPOA nNOS-ir cells was recorded. Of note, LBP treatment had no effects on NCE and PVN nNOS-ir expression.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that LBP enhances sexual behavior through increased nNOS expression in the MPOA in male rats.

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Funding

This study was supported by a grant from the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST 104-2410-H-241-001, MOST 105-2410-H-241-001, MOST-106-2410-H-241-002) of Taiwan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan

    Andy C. Huang, Allen W. Chiu & Tung-Hu Tsai

  2. Department of Urology, Taipei City Hospital Ren-Ai Branch, Taipei, Taiwan

    Andy C. Huang & Allen W. Chiu

  3. Department of Physical Therapy, Hung Kuang University, No. 1018, Sec. 6, Taiwan Boulevard, Shalu District, Taichung, 43302, Taiwan

    Jia-Min Wu, Ya-Han Chang & Kuei-Ying Yeh

  4. Ceramics and Biomaterials Research Group, Advanced Institute of Materials Science, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Navneet Kumar Dubey

  5. Faculty of Applied Sciences, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

    Navneet Kumar Dubey

  6. Department of Nursing, Ching Kuo Institute of Management and Health, Keelung, Taiwan

    Chien-Yu Yeh

  7. Department of Chemical Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan

    Tung-Hu Tsai

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  1. Andy C. Huang
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Correspondence to Kuei-Ying Yeh.

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Huang, A.C., Wu, JM., Chang, YH. et al. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase activity mediates Lycium barbarum polysaccharides-enhanced sexual performance without stimulating noncontact erection in rats. Psychopharmacology 236, 1293–1301 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-018-5141-z

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