Epigenetic silencing of microRNA‐874‐3p implicates in erectile dysfunction in diabetic rats by activating the Nupr1/Chop‐mediated pathway

level and TBAR concentration. Nupr1 was targeted and inhibited by miR-874-3p (by luciferase activity and RNA immunoprecipitation assays), which was downregulated in DMED. miR-874-3p downregulation was due to increased methylation at the promoter region (methylation-specific PCR). miR-874-3p overexpression improved erection time and reduced apoptosis. In summary, miR-874-3p was downregulated which led to increased apoptosis and erectile dysfunction in DMED rats, through inhibition of Nupr1-mediated pathway. This study may also provide a new therapeutic direction for the treatment of DMED.