Cellek S, Rees RW, Kalsi J. A Rho-kinase inhibitor, soluble guanylate cyclase activator and nitric oxide-releasing PDE5 inhibitor: novel approaches to erectile dysfunction.
Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2002;
11:1563-73. [PMID:
12437503 DOI:
10.1517/13543784.11.11.1563]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Approximately 50% of men aged over 40 suffer from male erectile dysfunction. Treatment options have widened since the launch of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, sildenafil citrate (Viagra trade mark ). However, a certain portion of the patient population, such as diabetics, do not gain significant benefit from PDE5 inhibitors, possibly due to a lack of endogenous nitric oxide. Therefore, new treatment modalities based on the absence of endogenous nitric oxide have been developed. Among them are Rho-kinase inhibitors, soluble guanylate cyclase activators and nitric oxide-releasing PDE5 inhibitors. The available data concerning these compounds will be summarised and their therapeutic potential for male erectile dysfunction will be discussed.
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