Cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP) an intracellular mediator of cavernosal smooth muscle relaxation following penile vascular surgery.

Background: We describe a new surgical method for treatment of male impotence. This procedure allows preservation of erectile tissues and avoids the need for implantable devices. It was demonstrated, that after this procedure sustained and reproducible erections were feasible. The role of cyclic guanine monophosphate (cGMP) in generation of erection following this procedure was studied.

Methods: Concentration of cGMP in erectile tissues was studied in the chronic canine experimental model. cGMP measurements were obtained using enzymeimmunoassay method.

Results: It was detected that the process of erection was accompanied with increased concentration of cGMP in the involved erectile structures (from 39.59 +/- 8.95 and 39.39 +/- 8.54 pm/g to 78.67 +/- 24.05 and 81.62 +/- 18.80 pm/g respectively with p = 0.0001). Concentration of cGMP did not change in the control (from 41.14 +/- 5.38 to 39.26 +/- 7.59 pm/g with p = 0.4568).

Conclusion: It can be concluded, that proposed new surgical procedure causes erection not by simple distention of erectile tissue sinuses by arterial blood. Arterial blood inflow is accompanied by activation of intracellular mechanisms responsible for smooth muscle relaxation in erectile tissues. Normal values of cGMP concentration in canine erectile tissues are also reported.