Potential Therapeutic Role of Dietary Supplementation with Spirulina platensis on the Erectile Function of Obese Rats Fed a Hypercaloric Diet

Figure 7

Modulation of cavernous muscle reactivity in Wistar rats through S. platensis supplementation of feed: 1: activation of the COX pathway, with increased production of relaxation prostanoids and consequent reduction of contractile prostanoids; 2: NOS activation with increased NO bioavailability; 3: activation of the enzyme SOD with consequent decrease of O₂^-, formation of ONOO^-, and increase in H₂O₂ concentration; and 4: inhibition of the NADPH oxidase complex, with consequent decrease in O₂^- formation.