Effects of Chronic Red Wine Consumption on the Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor, Angiopoietin 1, Angiopoietin 2, and Its Receptors in Rat Erectile Tissue

Abstract

Long-term consumption of red wine (RW) apparently confers some protection against cardiovascular diseases due to antiatherosclerotic properties of polyphenols and ethanol (EtOH). There is some evidence indicating that they do so by regulating angiogenesis, but the mechanism and the modulator factors involved are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic ingestion of RW in vascular structure and in the pattern of expression of vascular growth factors in the rat corpus cavernosum. Male Wistar rats aged 6 mo were treated with RW or an equivalent EtOH solution, as the only liquid source for 6 mo. Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin 1 and angiopoietin 2, and their receptors (VEGFR1, VEGFR2, and Tie2) in cavernous tissue was assayed by immunofluorescence and Western blotting. A reduction of VEGF and VEGFR2 expression, respectively, in smooth muscle and endothelial cells was observed in RW-treated animals, which was balanced by an increase in angiopoietins/Tie2 expression. In EtOH rats, only a decrease in expression of the receptors VEGFR2 and Tie2 was observed. These results, taken together, suggest that antioxidants present in RW activate selected mechanisms for the maintenance of cavernous tissue vascularization. However, functional studies will be necessary to elucidate if RW is of benefit in the prevention of deleterious vascular events associated with ED.

Energy restriction ameliorates metabolic syndrome-induced cavernous tissue structural modifications in aged rats

“…Rat cavernous tissue is a mesh of interconnected cavernous spaces, lined by endothelium surrounded by SML, and separated by trabecula mainly composed by CT (collagen fibers and fibroblasts), as previously reported (Neves et al 2006(Neves et al , 2010. Masson's trichrome staining (Fig.…”

“…In rat cavernous tissue, SMC are restricted to endothelium periphery (Neves et al 2006(Neves et al , 2010. Subsequent to immunostaining of alpha-actin (Fig.…”

Effects of natural mineral-rich water consumption on the expression of sirtuin 1 and angiogenic factors in the erectile tissue of rats with fructose-induced metabolic syndrome

“…Ang1 was expressed slightly in the periendothelial SMC ( Figure 1m – 1o ) and Ang2 was expressed in the endothelium without co-localizing with Tie2 ( Figure 1p – 1r ). These observations agree with previous findings in the CC of rats under different experimental conditions 49. In agreement with the absence of differences in Tie2 labeling among the groups, no apparent differences were observed in angiopoietin expression.…”

“…Rodent CC SM fibers are restricted to the endothelium periphery 4849. Here, the SM fiber relative area did not vary in the CONT rats compared with the FRUCT (11.3% ± 1.1% vs 8.3% ± 1.2%, respectively, P = 0.261) or the FRUCTMIN rats (14.7% ± 1.2%, P = 0.313).…”

“…Ang1 and Ang2 compete to bind to the endothelial-specific tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like loop and EGF homology domains (Tie2) receptor, which is tyrosine-phosphorylated in angiogenic and quiescent adult tissues, suggesting a dual function in vascular growth and maintenance. Our previous studies demonstrated that long-term consumption of beverages rich in antioxidants modifies the expression of vascular growth factors and receptors in the cavernous tissue of the rat, which could prevent atherosclerosis progression 4849…”