Soy Isoflavone Improved Female Sexual Dysfunction of Mice Via Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Pathway

Abstract

Introduction: Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is a common endocrine disease that impairs the quality of life for many women. The existing therapy strategies still have many disadvantages. It is necessary to explore new pharmacologic treatments that are effective and safe. Aim: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of soy isoflavone (SI) on FSD in mice and the underlying mechanisms. Methods and Main Outcome Measures: Laser Doppler flowmetry was used to determine vaginal blood flow. Serum hormone levels and histologic changes of the vagina were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and Masson’s trichome staining. The mRNA and protein expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) was then evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot assays. Results: Vaginal blood flow was found to be remarkably lower in adult mice, and SI was shown to increase vaginal blood flow in a dose-dependent manner (P < .05). The results of ELISA and H&E and Masson’s trichome staining suggest that SI had a positive effect on FSD, as evidenced by the levels of hormones in serum and histologic changes of the vagina, which changed consistently. In addition, the level of eNOS was positively correlated with the concentration of SI, and eNOS inhibitor was able to reverse the improvement in sexual function induced by SI. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that SI could improve sexual function by upregulating the eNOS pathway. Therefore, SI might serve as a promising candidate for the treatment of sexual dysfunction.Zhang J, Zhu Y, Pan L, et al. Soy Isoflavone Improved Female Sexual Dysfunction of Mice Via Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Pathway. Sex Med 2019; 7:345–351. Key Words: Soy isoflavone, Female sexual dysfunction, Hormone levels, Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)