Atorvastatin ameliorates sildenafil-induced penile erections in experimental diabetes by inhibiting diabetes-induced RhoA/Rho-kinase signaling hyperactivation.

Introduction: One of the proposed mechanisms responsible for diabetes-related erectile dysfunction (ED) is overactivity of RhoA/ROCK signaling, as seen in experimental models of chemical diabetes.

Aim: Because statins may interfere with RhoA/Rho-kinase (ROCK) signaling through the reduction of geranyl-geranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP), required for RhoA activation, we investigated whether atorvastatin ameliorated diabetes-related ED.

Methods: Streptozotocin-induced (8 weeks) diabetic rats and alloxan-induced (8 weeks) diabetic rabbits received atorvastatin (5 mg/kg daily) for the last 2 weeks.