The optimisation of RNA extraction from corpus cavernosum for the analysis of physiological pathways involved in erectile dysfunction

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED), defined as the inability to attain or maintain a penile erection for sexual intercourse, can be caused by a severe medical condition (e.g. diabetes or prostate cancer treatment). Currently, 40% of ED patients do not respond to non-invasive treatment (i.e. Viagra). They are assigned to more invasive options, such as inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) surgery. Therefore, the search for new potential therapeutic targets to help these refractory ED patients is highly required. However, before this search can start, good quality of corpus cavernosum (CC) RNA must be provided. Therefore, we aim to optimise RNA extraction from biobank-stored CC, which have never been done before according to our knowledge. Hypothesis - The biobank-stored CC samples are still of sufficient quality and quantity for downstream applications and further analysis of the pathophysiological pathways involved in ED.