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  • Award Winning Paper
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Joint Award Winning Paper — Jean Francois Ginestie Prize

RhoA/Rho-kinase: a novel player in the regulation of penile erection

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 13, pages 67–72 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Current research has centered around the role of nitric oxide in the stimulation of cavernosal vasodilation and erection. However, recent evidence from our lab details the importance of endogenous vasoconstrictor mechanisms in maintaining a flaccid penile state, and further demonstrates that the inhibition of endogenous vasoconstriction is sufficient to stimulate erection in a rat model. In this article, we suggest inhibition of endogenous vasoconstriction as a potential therapeutic avenue in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. We also speculate on potential physiologic mechanisms by which endogenous vasoconstriction is inhibited in order for arousal-initiated vasorelaxation, and erection, to occur.

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Author notes

  1. K Chitaley: This paper is co-winner of the Ginestie Prize, awarded at the 9th World Meeting on Impotence Research, Perth, Australia 26 – 30 November 2000.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    K Chitaley

  2. Department of Physiology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA

    RC Webb & TM Mills

  3. Department of Surgery, Urology Division, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA

    TM Mills

Authors
  1. K Chitaley
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  2. RC Webb
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  3. TM Mills
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Correspondence to K Chitaley.

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Chitaley, K., Webb, R. & Mills, T. RhoA/Rho-kinase: a novel player in the regulation of penile erection. Int J Impot Res 13, 67–72 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3900647

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