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Introduction. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels can be regulated by heme oxygenase-1 and 2 (HO-1 and HO-2)-derived carbon monoxide (CO). Aims. Assessment of the effect of upregulating CO in rat corpora cavernosa (CC) on cavernous cGMP. Methods. Three experimental groups were studied: first group (N = 40), short-term HO induction over 2 weeks by injection of intraperitoneal increasing doses of hemin; the second group (N = 40) was subjected to intracavernosal injection of CO donor, CORM-3, or its inactive form (iCORM-3) over 2 weeks; the third group (N = 60) was subdivided into three subgroups: the first one received a combined hemin and CORM-3, the second one received hemin and its inhibitor stannus mesoporphyrin (SnMP), and third one received a combined hemin, CORM-3, and SnMP. Main Outcome Measures. In CC, HO-1 and HO-2 gene expression, Northern blot and Western blot, cGMP levels, and HO enzyme activity. Results. In the first group, maximum induction of HO-1 gene expression, HO enzyme activity, and cGMP occurred with 4-mg hemin dose with a successive increase over 2 weeks. In the second group, CORM-3 increased cGMP by twofold compared with iCORM-3, and also increased HO-1 protein. In the third group, SnMP inhibited the enhancing effect of CORM-3 and HO on erectile signaling molecules; i.e., HO-1 gene, enzyme activity, and cGMP. Conclusions. CORM-3- or hemin-mediated CO release could increase cavernous tissue cGMP. Abdel Aziz MT, El-Asmar MF, Mostafa T, Atta H, Fouad HH, Roshdy NK, Rashed LA, Obaia EA, Sabry DA, Abdel Aziz AT, Drummond G, and Olszanecki R. Effect of hemin and carbon monoxide releasing molecule (CORM-3) on cGMP in rat penile tissue. J Sex Med 2008;5:336-343.

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels can be regulated by heme oxygenase-1 and 2 (HO-1 and HO-2)-derived carbon monoxide (CO).Assessment of the effect of upregulating CO in rat corpora cavernosa (CC) on cavernous cGMP.Three experimental groups were studied: first group (N = 40), short-term HO induction over 2 weeks by injection of intraperitoneal increasing doses of hemin; the second group (N = 40) was subjected to intracavernosal injection of CO donor, CORM-3, or its inactive form (iCORM-3) over 2 weeks; the third group (N = 60) was subdivided into three subgroups: the first one received a combined hemin and CORM-3, the second one received hemin and its inhibitor stannus mesoporphyrin (SnMP), and third one received a combined hemin, CORM-3, and SnMP.In CC, HO-1 and HO-2 gene expression, Northern blot and Western blot, cGMP levels, and HO enzyme activity.In the first group, maximum induction of HO-1 gene expression, HO enzyme activity, and cGMP occurred with 4-mg hemin dose with a successive increase over 2 weeks. In the second group, CORM-3 increased cGMP by twofold compared with iCORM-3, and also increased HO-1 protein. In the third group, SnMP inhibited the enhancing effect of CORM-3 and HO on erectile signaling molecules; i.e., HO-1 gene, enzyme activity, and cGMP.CORM-3- or hemin-mediated CO release could increase cavernous tissue cGMP.