In vitro high glucose increases apoptosis, decreases nerve outgrowth, and promotes survival of sympathetic pelvic neurons.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common cause of erectile dysfunction (ED), yet the molecular basis of DM neurogenic ED remains unknown.

Aim: In this study we examined the impact of high glucose on survival and growth of primary cultured pelvic neurons in a rat model and assessed whether coculturing with healthy Schwann cells (SCs) can rescue pelvic neuron growth in patients with DM.

Methods: Major pelvic ganglia (MPGs) from adult male Sprague Dawley rats ( = 8) were dissociated and plated on coverslips. Neurons were exposed to high glucose (45 mM) for 24 or 48 hours and compared to time-matched controls (25 mM). Neurons were stained for neuron-specific beta-tubulin, neuronal nitric oxide synthase, vesicular acetylcholine transferase, tyrosine hydroxylase, and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labeling) assay. Schwann cells were dissociated from MPGs of healthy male Sprague Dawley rats ( = 4) and grown to confluence. Additional Sprague Dawley rats were made diabetic with streptozotocin (50 mg/kg,  = 4), and 5 weeks later MPGs were collected from these rats, dissociated, and cocultured on healthy SCs. Neurons and SCs were stained with beta-tubulin and S100.

Outcomes: Length, branching, and survival of nitrergic, parasympathetic, and sympathetic neurons was assessed in neurons exposed to normal or high glucose concentrations, and neuron length was measured in neuron-SC coculture.

Results: The total number of neurons and the length and number of branches were significantly decreased after 24 and 48 hours of high glucose ( < .05). The percentage of nitrergic neurons decreased 10% after 24 hours and 50% after 48 hours of high glucose ( < .05). After 24 hours of high glucose, cholinergic-positive neurons were unchanged; however, these neurons decreased 30% after 48 hours ( < .05). The proportion of sympathetic neurons increased 25% after 48 hours of high glucose ( < .05). At both timepoints, there was a 2-fold increase in the total apoptotic neurons with high glucose ( < .05). Neurite outgrowth recovered to control lengths after coculture of diabetic neurons with healthy SCs ( < .05).

Clinical Translation: Glucose can be used as a tool to investigate the direct effects of DM on neuritogenesis. Our data suggest that an effective treatment for DM ED protects and repairs the penile neuronal supply.

Strengths And Limitations: Exposing MPG neurons to high glucose offers a quick and, inexpensive proxy for DM-related conditions. A limitation of our study is that our model reflects type 1 DM, whereas clinically, most diabetic ED patients have type 2 DM.

Conclusion: Culturing pelvic neurons in high glucose can be used as a tool to elucidate how to protect proerectile neurons from cell death and may lead to new therapeutic strategies for diabetic men suffering from ED.