目的 评价红景I号方联合西药治疗慢性前列腺炎合并勃起功能障碍的疗效.方法 将符合慢性前列腺炎合并勃起功能障碍患者118例,随机分为观察组(56例)与对照组(62例).对照组予左氧氟沙星片0.5 g,口服,1次/d,连续服用6周,特拉唑嗪片2 mg,口服,1片/晚,连续服用8周.观察组在对照组治疗基础上,同时应用红景I号方,水煎服,2次/d,连续服用8周.比较治疗前后两组患者CPSI评分以及IIEF-5评分,并比较两组治疗效果.结果 治疗后两组患者CPSI评分及IIEF-5评分均比治疗前改善,且观察组比对照组改善更明显(P<0.05).观察组治疗有效率75.0％,对照组为54.8％,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 红景I号方治疗慢性前列腺炎合并勃起功能障碍具有较好的疗效,值得临床推广.

Intracavernosal pressure measurement is the gold standard for evaluating erectile function in experimental animals, but it has the shortcoming of being invasive. This study aimed to explore the application of laser speckle perfusion imaging in evaluating erectile function in rats. Sixty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly divided into the sham operation and model groups (n = 30 each). A rat model of neuroinjury erectile dysfunction was established by surgically damaging the bilateral cavernous nerves in the model group. Simulated surgery was performed in the sham operation group; the nerves were not damaged. Erectile function was evaluated by comparing the changes in intracavernosal pressure and blood flow fluctuations when the cavernous nerve was stimulated using the same voltage parameters. Intracavernosal pressure in the model group was significantly lower than that in the other group when using 2.5 V. No significant difference was found in cavernous blood flow fluctuation between the two groups when using 0.5 V. Cavernous blood flow fluctuation in the model group after 2.5 V, 5 V and 7.5 V stimulations was significantly lower than that in the sham operation group. Evaluating erectile function in rats is feasible by measuring the cavernous blood flow using laser speckle perfusion imaging.

OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of Hongjing-1 Recipe (HJ-1) on erectile function and the expression of the gap junction protein Connexin43 (Cx43) in the penile tissue in male rats with bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI).METHODS:Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups of an equal number: sham operation, BCNI model control, and low-, medium- and high-dose HJ-1. The BCNI model was made in the latter four groups by clamping the bilateral cavernous nerves with hemostatic forceps. Three days after modeling, the rats in the sham operation and BCNI model control groups were treated intragastrically with pure water and those in the low-, medium- and high-dose HJ-1 groups with HJ-1 at 2.835, 5.67 and 11.34 g/kg/d, respectively, all for 28 successive days. Then, the animals were subjected to intracavernous pressure (ICP) measurement for evaluation of their erectile function and immunofluorescence staining and Western blot for determination of the Cx43 level in the penile tissue.RESULTS:The BCNI model controls, compared with the rats in the sham operation group, showed a dramatically decreased ratio of maximum ICP to mean arterial pressure (mICP/MAP) (0.40 ± 0.04 vs 0.83 ± 0.10, P < 0.01) and that of total ICP to MAP (tICP/MAP) (21.89 ± 2.16 vs 50.27 ± 4.45, P < 0.01), as well as a down-regulated expression of Cx43 in the penile tissue (P < 0.01). In comparison with the rats in the BCNI model control group, those in the medium- and high-dose HJ-1 groups exhibited significantly increased ratios of mICP/MAP (0.54 ± 0.05, P < 0.05; 0.61 ± 0.06, P < 0.01) and tICP/MAP (31.20 ± 3.85, P < 0.01; 37.82 ± 4.17, P < 0.01) and up-regulated expression of Cx43 (P<0.05 and P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS:Hongjing-1 Recipe can effectively improve ED in rats with bilateral cavernous nerve injury, which may be attributed to its effect of maintaining the expression level of the gap junction protein Cx43 in the penile tissue.

We explored the efficacy and mechanisms of salidroside treatment for erectile dysfunction induced by bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI). Forty male rats were divided into four groups as follows: sham (cavernous nerves exposed only) (S); BCNI (M); BCNI + rapamycin (M + rapamycin); and BCNI + salidroside (M + salidroside). Erectile function in the rats was measured by intracavernosal pressure. Penile tissue was harvested for transmission electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Masson's trichrome staining, haematoxylin-eosin staining, TdT-mediated dUTP Nick End Labeling and western blotting. The M group exhibited a decrease in erectile responses and increased apoptosis and fibrosis compared to these in the S group. Meanwhile, nerve content and the penile atrophy index were also decreased in the M group. Treatment with salidroside and rapamycin for 3 weeks partially restored erectile function and significantly attenuated corporal apoptosis, fibrosis, nerve content and penile atrophy in the M group. Moreover, the autophagy level was further enhanced in the M + salidroside group, which was the same as that in the positive observation group (M + rapamycin). Salidroside treatment not only improved erectile function in rats with BCNI, but also inhibited apoptosis and fibrosis and ameliorated the loss of nerve content and endothelial and corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells by promoting protective autophagy.

古代对阳痿的病因病机、分型等论述有相当丰富的记载,从较早的"气不至"认识,到晋隋唐宋时代医家对阳痿的发生多责之劳伤、肾虚.明代医家首次以"阳痿"命名,阳痿的认识已臻完善,认为命门火衰、七情劳倦、湿热炽盛,甚至思虑、焦劳、忧郁、惊恐等,皆可致痿.清代医家开拓扩展,认为除上述外还有忍房事、失志、瘀血、心气不足、脾虚等.现代中医对阳痿的认识,仍有所发展创新,思路更加丰富,许多医家也提出各自的学术理论.课题组通过总结整理文献,为方便临床辨证及应用,将阳痿概括为肝气郁结证、湿热下注证、瘀血阻滞证、心脾两虚证、肾阳虚衰证、肾阴亏虚证六个基本证型.然临床诊治并不拘泥于此,概而言之不外虚实两端.辨证论治是中医学的特色优势,随着环境等因素改变,仍需不断思考与探索.

Neurogenic erectile dysfunction (NED) is an inevitable postoperative disease of cavernous nerve injury which will lead to various pathophysiological changes in the corpus cavernosum and dorsal penile nerve caused by radical prostatectomy (RP). Although serval years of clinical application of HJIG I granules (HJIG), an innovative formulation, has demonstrated its reliable clinical efficacy against NED, the mechanism of HJIG remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the neuroprotective effect of HJIG, to repair damaged nerves in a rat model of bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI) in vivo and their effects on neurites of major pelvic ganglia (MPG) regeneration and Schwann cells (SCs) proliferation in vitro. Rats were divided into five groups randomly: normal control (NC), BCNI-induced ED model (M), M + low-dose HJIG (HL), M + medium-dose HJIG (HM), and M + high-dose HJIG (HH). All groups were treated with normal saline or the relevant drug for 28 consecutive days after a standard NED animal model. Our data revealed that administration of HJIG improved NED that was detected by intracavernous pressure (ICP) in a dose-dependent manner. The haematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Immunofluorescence (IF) staining demonstrated that HJIG ameliorate the shape of penis and induced the protein synthesis of GAP43, NF200, S100, and nNOS. NF200 and S100 level were also detected by western blotting. Moreover, HJIG (0.78 mg/mL) markedly increased SCs viability and promoted neurites regeneration of MPG. These findings provide new insights into the NED therapy by HJIG.

Introduction: Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the major component of gap junction in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle, which allows rapid intercellular communication. Cx43 coordinates corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells and ensures erectile function. The role of hypoxia in Cx43 dysfunction resulting in erectile dysfunction has not been well studied, and salidroside has shown cell protective effects under hypoxia. Objective: We aimed to investigate the protective role of salidroside and the underlying mechanisms in hypoxia-induced dysfunction of Cx43. Methods: Corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells prepared from young male Sprague-Dawley rats were pretreated with or without salidroside and exposed to hypoxic condition for 48 h. The cell viability, expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and Cx43, and Ca2+ signals were investigated. Results: Pretreatment with salidroside attenuated loss of hypoxia-induced cell viability markedly and could downregulate the HIF-1α protein expression under hypoxia. Moreover, the expression of Cx43 was significantly increased by hypoxia but was decreased with salidroside pretreatment. The salidroside pretreated group exhibited enhanced release of intracellular Ca2+ in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells compared with the hypoxia group after stimulation. Conclusion: Salidroside has a protective effect against hypoxia-induced damage to corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells.

目的 研究阴茎勃起强度测量带在诊断男性勃起功能障碍(erectile dysfunction,ED)中的临床应用价值.方法 选取2017年9月至2018年1月浙江中医药大学附属第二医院泌尿男科门诊诊治的ED患者56例作为研究对象.将这56例ED患者设为试验组,另选取20例健康在校大学生作为对照组.通过基本资料及病史采集,勃起功能国际问卷(IIEF-5)评分,刺激模式检测(audio visual sexual stimulation,AVSS)及连续3晚阴茎勃起强度测量带检测,统计分析阴茎测量带断带率、灵敏度、特异度及准确度.结果 ①根据IIEF-5评分,将试验组分为轻度ED、中轻度ED、中度ED和重度ED四组,轻度ED患者的断带率为94.44％,中轻度ED患者断带率为91.11％,中度ED患者断带率为79.49％,重度ED患者断带率50.00％,IIEF-5评分越低,断带率越高.②根据AVSS检测结果,诊断试验组56名患者中,器质性ED 24例,心理性ED 32例,其中心理性ED的断带率为97.92％,器质性ED的断带率为61.11％,两组间断带率差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05).③对试验组被AVSS诊断为器质性ED的24例患者进行阴茎勃起强度测量带检测,诊断器质性ED 19例、心理性ED 5例,灵敏度为79.17％;对试验组被AVSS诊断为心理性ED的32例患者进行阴茎勃起强度测量带检测,诊断为心理性ED 28例、器质性ED 4例,特异度为87.5％,K值为0.670(95％CI:0.474～0.866).④根据试验组56例患者的IIEF-5评分,分组后计算不同组别诊断的准确度,轻度组(18例)准确度94.44％,K值为0.640(95％CI:0.001～1.279);中轻度组(15例)准确度73.33％,K值为0.318(95％CI:-0.213～0.850);中度组(13例)准确度69.23％,K值为0.278(95％CI:-0.277～0.833);重度组(10例)准确度100.00％,K值为1.⑤AVSS检测对照组均考虑为正常勃起,两种方法诊断符合率为100％.结论 阴茎勃起强度测量作为初步诊断心理性ED和器质性ED的方法,具有简便、有效、直观、经济等优点,并且在判断ED程度上有一定参考价值,值得临床推广应用.

OBJECTIVE:To explore the regulatory effect of salidroside on H2O2-induced decrease in the expression of the connexin43 (Cx43) protein in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMC).METHODS:Rat CCSMCs were isolated, primarily cultured in vitro and identified by immunocytochemical assay. The optimum concentration of H2O2 for intervention was determined by detecting its effect on the viability of the CCSMCs and used in the treatment of the CCSMCs for different lengths of time, and meanwhile salidroside was applied at 16 μg/ml (low dose) or 64 μg/ml (high dose) for intervention. Finally, the expressions of the Cx43 protein in the CCSMCs of different groups of rats were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The CCSMCs grew normally, with a positive rate of over 90%. At 1, 2 and 4 hours of treatment with H2O2 at the optimum concentration of 200 μmol/L, the expression of Cx43 in the CCSMCs was significantly decreased as compared with that in the blank control group (P < 0.01), even more significantly at 4 hours than at 1 and 2 (P < 0.01). Intervention with high-dose salidroside, however, markedly inhibited the down-regulation of the Cx43 expression (P < 0.05), which showed no statistically significant difference from that in the normal control group (P = 0.322 2).CONCLUSIONS:Salidroside can suppress H2O2-induced decrease in the expression of the Cx43 protein in rat CCSMCs.

目的 探讨低氧环境对大鼠阴茎海绵体平滑肌细胞(CCSMC)表型转化及MAPK信号通路相关蛋白表达的影响.方法 体外培养SD大鼠CCSMC,采用细胞免疫荧光法对原代CCSMC进行鉴定.设常氧组(21％O2)与低氧组(1％O2)分别培养48h,在倒置显微镜下观察两组CCSMC形态学变化;采用Western blot法检测表型转化及MAPK信号通路相关蛋白表达.结果 体外培养的CCSMC生长良好,抗α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)和抗肌间线蛋白(Desmin)抗体免疫荧光均为阳性,融合后可观察到大部分细胞,且细胞核与细胞质重合在一起,证实分离培养的细胞是同种细胞,即CCSMC.常氧组CCSMC多呈长梭形,而低氧干预48h后CCSMC胞体趋向肥大.与常氧组比较,低氧组缺氧诱导因子-1α(HIF-1 α)、胶原蛋白Ⅰ(Collagen Ⅰ)相对表达量均明显升高(均P＜0.05),α-SMA、磷酸化c-Jun氨基末端激酶(p-JNK)、磷酸化p38丝裂原活化蛋白激酶(p-p38 MAPK)蛋白相对表达量明显降低(P＜0.05),而磷酸化细胞外信号调节激酶(p-ERK)蛋白相对表达量差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 低氧可造成CCSMC发生表型转化及p-JNK、p-p38 MAPK蛋白表达下降.

HongJing I (HJI), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has been confirmed to be effective for the clinical treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). However, the mechanism of action of HJI remains unclear. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect and underlying mechanisms of HJI against ED in a rat model of bilateral cavernous nerve injury (BCNI). Rats were divided into five groups: normal control (NC), BCNI-induced ED model (M), M + low-dose HJI (HL), M + medium-dose HJI (HM), and M + high-dose HJI (HH). All groups were treated with normal saline or the relevant drug for 28 consecutive days after inducing BCNI-ED. At the end of the treatment period, the intracavernous pressure (ICP) was recorded, and histological examination was conducted using Masson’s trichrome staining. Immunofluorescence staining and western blotting were applied to detect the changes in fibrosis protein and Ras homolog A (RhoA), Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1), and ROCK2 expression. We found that HJI effectively improved the ICP in the treatment groups. In addition, RhoA, ROCK1, and ROCK2 expression levels were increased upon BCNI-ED induction, and HJI successfully inhibited cavernosum fibrosis and the activation of RhoA/ROCK2 signaling. Overall, these results suggest that the effects of HJI in attenuating ED may be caused, at least in part, by the suppression of RhoA/ROCK2 signaling and alleviation of fibrosis. However, the precise mechanism surrounding this requires further investigation in future studies.

血小板衍生因子(Platelet-derived growth factor,PDGF)是由多种细胞产生的重要多肽生长因子,可促进结缔组织细胞(如血管内皮细胞、平滑肌细胞)增殖等,研究发现其与多种疾病具有紧密的联系.缝隙连接(Gap Junction,GJ)是细胞间通讯最主要,最直接的信号传递方式,可以可逆、快速地促进相邻细胞对外界信号的协同反应,对实现细胞间信号交流和能量传递,调控细胞增殖、分化、代谢,对维持机体的内环境稳定和生长发育有着极为重要的意义.Cx43蛋白作为缝隙连接的主要组成蛋白,在国内外研究中已逐渐成为热点.PDGF与缝隙连接在许多疾病中都有着很明显的变化,而在许多研究发现中医药治疗疾病起效与其调控PDGF表达、介导缝隙连接改变密切相关.主要阐述了二者之间的联系、在相关疾病中主要改变以及中医药对其的影响.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is closely related with the phenotypic modulation of corporal cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMC), a transitional tendency of CCSMCs switching from the contractile phenotype to the synthetic or proliferative phenotype. The molecular markers of contractile CCSMCs include α-SMA, SMMHC, Calponin, Smoothelin, and Desmin, while those of synthetic or proliferative CCSMCs involve Vimentin, Osteopontin, and Collagen I. Current studies show that phenotypic transformation of CCSMCs is related to the pathophysiological processes of different types of ED, such as bilateral cavernous nerve injury-induced ED, diabetes mellitus-associated ED, arterial ED, hypertension-associated ED, and so on. In addition, such external factors as hypoxia, platelet-derived growth factor, and tobacco combustion gas may directly affect rats or CCSMCs and consequently lead to phenotypic conversion of CCSMCs. This article presents a systematic review of the studies on the correlation of phenotypic transition of CCSMCs with ED.

[Objective] To investigate the effect of Astragalus aqueous extract on the improvement of bladder function and effect of histology in aging rats. [Methods]Of the 60 male SD rats,3 months old were 10 and 15 months old were 50,a total of 3 months old rats were divided into young group,0.9% sodium chloride solution 20mL/(kg·d)intragastric administration;15 months old rats were divided into aged group with 10 rats,0.9% sodium chloride solution 20mL/(kg·d)intragastric administration;Vitamin E-C suspension group with 10 rats, Vitamin E-C suspension 5mg/(kg·d) intragastric administration; Astragalus aqueous extract low dose group,aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus 2g/(kg·d) intragastric administration; Astragalus aqueous extract middle dose group, aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus 4g/(kg·d) intragastric administration; Astragalus aqueous extract high dose group, aqueous extract of Astragalus membranaceus 8g/(kg·d)intragastric administration.Rats in each group were given 1 time daily and intragastric administration of 6 months,rats were determined by urodynamic changes and Masson staining of detrusor fibrosis. [Results]Compared with the young group,the total capacity of aged rats [total urine volume, bladder residual urine volume(TUV), residual urine volume, RUV)] increased, and bladder leak point pressure(bladder leak point pressure,BLPP),abdominal leak point pressure(abdominal leak point pressure,ALPP)were lower(P<0.05).Compared with the elderly group,RUV of vitamin E-C suspension group and Astragalus aqueous extract each dose group decreased significantly,while TUV increased significantly(P<0.05),while BLPP and ALPP significantly increased, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). Masson staining showed that compared with the young group, aging rats detrusor fibrosis increased(P<0.05);compared with the aged group,than the reduction of the dose group and high dose group of bladder tissue collagen fibers in Astragalus aqueous extract, the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). [Conclusion] Astragalus aqueous extract can reduce the residual urine volume,improve bladder capacity,increase urinary leakage pressure,and reduce the degree of detrusor fibrosis in aged rats.

目的 探讨建设信息化协作诊疗研究平台对中医“阳痿病”管理水平的影响性,以期提高“阳痿病”诊疗研究水平.方法 选取2015年3～12月在我院男科门诊就诊的阳痿病患者按随机数字表法分为“阳痿病”协作诊疗研究平台管理组140例(研究组),电子病历+纸质档案管理组140例(对照组),分析比较相关指标的差异.结果 两组在资料完整度、首诊时间、复诊时间、复诊率等方面比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05);各组治疗后末诊IIEF-5评分、末诊EHS评分均较首诊时明显提高,差异有显著统计学意义(P＜0.01);两组间比较末诊IIEF-5评分存在显著性差异(P＜0.01),而两组间比较末诊EHS评分上差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);总有效率比较,研究组高于对照组,差异有显著统计学意义(Z=-2.717,P=0.007).结论 “阳痿病”协作诊疗研究平台推动了优势病种的协作、诊疗、研究管理,突显中西医结合特色,提高中医参与治疗,形成了一整套效率、规范的临床信息化管理方案,有利于提高中医“阳痿病”信息化管理水平.

We explored whether platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-BB regulates corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cell gap junctions and can ameliorate erectile dysfunction and how it modulates connexin43 (CX43) after bilateral cavernous neurectomy. Primary cultured rat corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells were treated with PDGF-BB with or without a PDGFR inhibitor, Akt siRNA or the depletion or promotion of β-catenin. PDGF-BB improved CCSMCs gap junction coupling and increased CX43 and PDGFRβ expression; inhibition of PDGFR activity down-regulated CX43 and decreased Akt and nuclear β-catenin. Knockdown or promotion of β-catenin down-regulated and up-regulated CX43 expression respectively. Moreover, β-catenin activation induced CX43 nuclear accumulation, which impeded CX43 down-regulation induced by PDGFR inhibition, suggesting that CX43 expression is positively correlated with nuclear β-catenin expression. Furthermore, CX43 promoter luciferase and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays indicated that β-catenin regulates CX43 transcription by directly interacting with its promoter. Male rats underwent bilateral cavernous neurectomy. After 12 weeks, they were injected with PDGF-BB, CX43 and PDGFRβ expression was significantly lower than in the control group, which was reversed by PDGF-BB injection. These results suggested that PDGF-BB contributed to the improvement of gap junction intracellular communication among corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells, increased CX43 through PDGFRβ/Akt/nuclear β-catenin signalling, and ameliorated cavernous nerve injury-induced erectile dysfunction.

目的 探讨创伤骨折后肘关节早期僵硬在使用了JAS支具配合CPM机治疗的临床疗效及应用价值.方法 采用随机、对照研究的方法,将60例符合条件的肘关节僵硬的患者分为治疗组和对照组.治疗组患者使用肘关节JAS支具及CPM机进行关节松解.对照组以治疗师的手法治疗及CPM机进行关节松解.结果 60例患者治疗后第1周肘关节的被动活动范围增加情况差异有统计学意义(P=0.035),第2周差异无统计学意义(P=0.217),第3周观察肘关节的被动活动范围增加差异有统计学意义(P=0.001).治疗开始1、2、3周及1、3月随访复查X线观察治疗组与对照组均未出现再折、骨化性肌炎情况及内固定物断裂.治疗3个月后随访评价肘关节功能(HSS肘关节功能评分)治疗组评分(89.18±3.35)分,对照组(87.18±3.58)分,差异有统计学意义(P=0.002).结论 此项康复治疗创伤后早期肘关节僵硬疗效较好,从而能降低肘关节僵硬的致残率,增加医疗的安全性和简便性,提高操作效率,并且能获得较好的社会效应.

More and more male patients suffer from impotence,namely,erectile dysfunction.The treatment of impotence using traditional Chinese medicine which has a long history,with certain therapeutic effect and diverse treatment opinions.Qi-Blood theory stems from Huangdi Neijing,which indicates that the coordination between Qi and Blood is closely related with the occurrence and development of disease.According to traditional Chinese medicine,normal erection is based on the harmony of five internal organs,the unobstruction of main and collateral channels and the sufficiency of Qi and Blood.This article puts forward that normal erection is based on the coordination between Qi and Blood,and the incoordination between Qi and Blood is the main pathogenesis of impotence,so tonifying Qi and activating Blood may be the fundamental therapeutics for impotence.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common clinical condition that is treatable by phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor; however, this treatment is less effective in cases of organic ED, especially in terms of reversing pathological changes. The present study investigated whether Panaxnotoginsengsaponin (PNS) could improve erectile function in a rat model of ED. We found that expression of the autophagy protein Beclin-1 was downregulated, whereas that of the apoptosis markers P62 and cleaved caspase-3 was upregulated in corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells of ED rats. The phosphorylation of the gap junction protein connexin (Cx) 43 was also decreased in these animals. These effects were abrogated by treatment with PNS alone or in combination with the autophagy inducer rapamycin, both of which stimulated autophagy and suppressed apoptosis. The combination of PNS and the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA) had the opposite effects, and neither rapamycin nor 3-MA altered the phosphorylation status of Cx43. These results indicate that PNS can improve erectile function, providing a potential new treatment strategy for ED.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common sexual disorder that men report to healthcare providers. Gap junctions (GJs) are thought to be responsible for synchronous shrinkage of corpus cavernosum smooth muscle cells (CCSMCs), and play thus an important role in the maintenance of an erection. Hypoxia has been suggested as a pathological mechanism underlying ED. Here we demonstrate that hypoxia increased the expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and the main GJ component connexin (Cx)43 in CCSMCs. Inhibiting PDGF receptor (PDGFR) activity decreased Cx43 expression. Treatment with different concentrations of PDGF increased the levels of phosphorylated protein kinase B (AKT), β-catenin, and Cx43, whereas inhibition of PDGFR or activation of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling altered β-catenin and Cx43 expression. Meanwhile, silencing β-catenin resulted in the downregulation of Cx43. These results demonstrate that PDGF secretion by CCSMCs and vascular endothelial cells is enhanced under hypoxic conditions, leading to increased Cx43 expression through PI3K/AKT/β-catenin signaling and ultimately affecting GJ function in ED. Thus, targeting this pathway is a potential therapeutic strategy for the treatment of ED.