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Meng Q, Chen Y, Cui L, Wei Y, Li T, Yuan P. Comprehensive analysis of biological landscape of oxidative stress-related genes in diabetic erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 2024; 36:627-635. [PMID: 38145980 DOI: 10.1038/s41443-023-00814-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of diabetic erectile dysfunction, while specific mechanisms have not been illuminated. The study aims to reveal the genetic expression patterns of oxidative stress in diabetic erectile dysfunction. Transcriptome data of diabetic erectile dysfunction and oxidative stress-related genes (OSRGs) in the Gene Expression Omnibus database were downloaded and analyzed based on differential expression. Functional enrichment analyses were conducted to clarify the biological functions. A protein interaction framework was established, and significant gene profiles were validated in the cavernous endothelial cells, clinical patients, and rat models. A miRNA-OSRGs network was predicted and validated. The results were analyzed using Student's t-test. The analysis screened 203 differentially expressed OSRGs (p < 0.05), which had a close association with oxidoreductase activities, glutathione metabolism, and autophagy. A four-gene signature comprised of EPS8L2 (p = 0.044), GSTA3 (p = 0.015), LOX (p < 0.001) and MGST1 (p = 0.002) was well validated and regarded as the hub OSRGs. Compared with the control group, notable increases and decreases were observed in the expressions of GSTA3 (3.683 ± 0.636 vs. 0.416 ± 0.507) and LOX (2.104 ± 1.895 vs. 18.804 ± 2.751) in the validated diabetic erectile dysfunction group. The hub OSRGs-related miRNAs participated in smooth muscle cell proliferation. Besides, miR-125a-3p (p = 0.034) and miR-138-2-3p (p = 0.012) were validated as promising oxidative stress-related miRNA biomarkers. Our findings revealed the genetic alternations of oxidative stress in diabetic erectile dysfunction. These results will be instructive to explore the molecular landscape and the potential treatment for diabetic erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingjun Meng
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yinwei Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Lingang Cui
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Yinsheng Wei
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Teng Li
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Penghui Yuan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China.
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Kaltsas A, Zikopoulos A, Dimitriadis F, Sheshi D, Politis M, Moustakli E, Symeonidis EN, Chrisofos M, Sofikitis N, Zachariou A. Oxidative Stress and Erectile Dysfunction: Pathophysiology, Impacts, and Potential Treatments. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:8807-8834. [PMID: 39194738 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46080521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent condition affecting men's sexual health, with oxidative stress (OS) having recently been identified as a significant contributing causative factor. This narrative review aims to elucidate the role of OS in the pathophysiology of ED, focusing on impact, mechanisms, and potential therapeutic interventions. Key findings indicate that OS disrupts endothelial function and nitric oxide (NO) signaling, crucial for erectile function. Various sources of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and their detrimental effects on penile tissue are discussed, including aging, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, obesity, alcohol consumption, psychological stress, hyperhomocysteinemia, chronic kidney disease, and sickle cell disease. Major sources of ROS, such as NADPH oxidase, xanthine oxidase, uncoupled endothelial NO synthase (eNOS), and mitochondrial electron transport, are identified. NO is scavenged by these ROS, leading to endothelial dysfunction characterized by reduced NO availability, impaired vasodilation, increased vascular tone, and inflammation. This ultimately results in ED due to decreased blood flow to penile tissue and the inability to achieve or maintain an erection. Furthermore, ROS impact the transmission of nitrergic neurotransmitters by causing the death of nitrergic neurons and reducing the signaling of neuronal NO synthase (nNOS), exacerbating ED. Therapeutic approaches targeting OS, including antioxidants and lifestyle modifications, show promise in ameliorating ED symptoms. The review underscores the need for further research to develop effective treatments, emphasizing the interplay between OS and vascular health in ED. Integrating pharmacological and non-pharmacological strategies could enhance clinical outcomes for ED patients, advocating for OS management in ED treatment protocols to improve patient quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aris Kaltsas
- Third Department of Urology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | | | - Fotios Dimitriadis
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Danja Sheshi
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Magdalena Politis
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Efthalia Moustakli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Evangelos N Symeonidis
- Department of Urology II, European Interbalkan Medical Center, 55535 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Michael Chrisofos
- Third Department of Urology, Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Sofikitis
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Athanasios Zachariou
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
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Wu C, Xiong Y, Fu F, Zhang F, Qin F, Yuan J. The Role of Autophagy in Erectile Dysfunction. World J Mens Health 2024; 42:42.e44. [PMID: 38606869 DOI: 10.5534/wjmh.230145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Autophagy is a conservative lysosome-dependent material catabolic pathway, and exists in all eukaryotic cells. Autophagy controls cell quality and survival by eliminating intracellular dysfunction substances, and plays an important role in various pathophysiology processes. Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male disease. It is resulted from a variety of causes and pathologies, such as diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, aging, spinal cord injury, or cavernous nerve injury caused by radical prostatectomy, and others. In the past decade, autophagy has begun to be investigated in ED. Subsequently, an increasing number of studies have revealed the regulation of autophagy contributes to the recovery of ED, and which is mainly involved in improving endothelial function, smooth muscle cell apoptosis, penile fibrosis, and corpus cavernosum nerve injury. Therefore, in this review, we aim to summarize the possible role of autophagy in ED from a cellular perspective, and we look forward to providing a new idea for the pathogenesis investigation and clinical treatment of ED in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changjing Wu
- Andrology Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yang Xiong
- Andrology Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fudong Fu
- Institutes for Systems Genetics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Fuxun Zhang
- Andrology Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Feng Qin
- Andrology Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jiuhong Yuan
- Andrology Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- Department of Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.
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Smith E, Lewis A, Narine SS, Emery RJN. Unlocking Potentially Therapeutic Phytochemicals in Capadulla ( Doliocarpus dentatus) from Guyana Using Untargeted Mass Spectrometry-Based Metabolomics. Metabolites 2023; 13:1050. [PMID: 37887375 PMCID: PMC10608729 DOI: 10.3390/metabo13101050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Doliocarpus dentatus is thought to have a wide variety of therapeutic phytochemicals that allegedly improve libido and cure impotence. Although a few biomarkers have been identified with potential antinociceptive and cytotoxic properties, an untargeted mass spectrometry-based metabolomics approach has never been undertaken to identify therapeutic biofingerprints for conditions, such as erectile dysfunction, in men. This study executes a preliminary phytochemical screening of the woody vine of two ecotypes of D. dentatus with renowned differences in therapeutic potential for erectile dysfunction. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based metabolomics was used to screen for flavonoids, terpenoids, and other chemical classes found to contrast between red and white ecotypes. Among the metabolite chemodiversity found in the ecotype screens, using a combination of GNPS, MS-DIAL, and SIRIUS, approximately 847 compounds were annotated at levels 2 to 4, with the majority of compounds falling under lipid and lipid-like molecules, benzenoids and phenylpropanoids, and polyketides, indicative of the contributions of the flavonoid, shikimic acid, and terpenoid biosynthesis pathways. Despite the extensive annotation, we report on 138 tentative compound identifications of potentially therapeutic compounds, with 55 selected compounds at a level-2 annotation, and 22 statistically significant therapeutic biomarkers, the majority of which were polyphenols. Epicatechin methyl gallate, catechin gallate, and proanthocyanidin A2 had the greatest significant differences and were also relatively abundant among the red and white ecotypes. These putatively identified compounds reportedly act as antioxidants, neutralizing damaging free radicals, and lowering cell oxidative stress, thus aiding in potentially preventing cellular damage and promoting overall well-being, especially for treating erectile dysfunction (ED).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewart Smith
- Environmental and Life Sciences Graduate Program, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 0G2, Canada
| | - Ainsely Lewis
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 0G2, Canada
| | - Suresh S. Narine
- Trent Centre for Biomaterials Research, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 0G2, Canada
- Departments of Physics & Astronomy and Chemistry, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 0G2, Canada
| | - R. J. Neil Emery
- Department of Biology, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9J 0G2, Canada
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Yuan P, Sun T, Han Z, Chen Y. Identifying potential cross-talk signatures for the occurrence of atherosclerosis in diabetic erectile dysfunction. Andrology 2023; 11:1031-1043. [PMID: 36542411 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Erectile dysfunction and atherosclerosis are common cardiovascular complications in diseases. Clinical associations between erectile dysfunction and atherosclerosis have been noticed, but the specific mechanisms are not illustrated adequately. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to further mine associated pathological mechanisms and genetic alterations of atherosclerosis in diabetes mellitus-related erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS Significant atherosclerosis-related genes were identified from transcriptome data of diabetes mellitus-related erectile dysfunction and atherosclerosis-related gene sets from DisGeNET and GeneCard databases. Functional enrichment and immune infiltration analyses were performed to clarify the biological roles and pathways as well as immune responses of significant atherosclerosis-related gene sets. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed, and gene clusters were performed. Then, data of diabetic plaques and high-glucose cavernosum endothelial cells were analyzed for validation. And hub atherosclerosis-related gene sets were identified. Finally, expressed pattern of hub atherosclerosis-related gene sets were explored by single-cell profiling and immune analysis. RESULTS In total, 202 significant atherosclerosis-related gene sets including 100 upregulated and 102 downregulated genes were identified. These genes were related to endothelial cell migration, inflammatory response, regulation of oxidative stress, and immune response. In immune infiltration, immature dendritic cells and monocytes showed differential expression between the diabetes mellitus-related erectile dysfunction and control groups, A protein-protein interaction network containing 135 nodes was constructed. A hub atherosclerosis-related gene set signature consisting of HBEGF, LOX, NQO1, and VLDLR was obtained by multi-omics validation. In addition, Functional enrichment analysis revealed that hub atherosclerosis-related gene sets were involved in oxidoreductase activity and extracellular matrix organization. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION We explored atherosclerosis-related genetic changes and signaling pathways in diabetes mellitus-related erectile dysfunction. HBEGF, LOX, NQO1, and VLDLR were identified as hub atherosclerosis-related gene sets. These may serve as potential biomarkers for the clinical management of atherosclerosis and preventing further cardiovascular risks in diabetes mellitus-related erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Penghui Yuan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhengyang Han
- Department of Ultrasound, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yinwei Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Chen B, Zhou B, Song G, Li H, Li R, Liu Z, Wei C, Wang T, Wang S, Ma D, Liu J, Yuan X, Liu X. Inflammatory bowel disease is associated with worse sexual function: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Transl Androl Urol 2022; 11:959-973. [PMID: 35958893 PMCID: PMC9360519 DOI: 10.21037/tau-22-190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Several studies report that sexuality is often affected by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). The aim of this meta-analysis was to investigate the association between IBD and sexual function. Methods A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases (up to September 1, 2020). Scores of sexual functions with a standard deviation and odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR) with a 95% CI were used to analysis the association between IBD and sexual function. Results Eleven studies with 7,018 male IBD cases and 1,803 female IBD cases were included in the meta-analysis. In male individuals, the pooled results revealed that IBD was significantly associated with impaired erectile function and poor sexual satisfaction (RR for erectile function =1.50, 95% CI: 1.22 to 1.84, P<0.0001; standard mean difference for sexual satisfaction =-0.24, 95% CI: -0.33 to -0.15, P<0.0001). And among female individuals, IBD had impact on most sub-domains of sexual function, except pains. Conclusions IBD is associated with worse sexual function. It has significant impact on erectile function and satisfaction for male individuals and has impact on most sub-domains of sexual function for female individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingliang Chen
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Second Clinical College, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Bingyan Zhou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Hubei Clinical Center of Hirschsprung's disease and Allied Disorders, Wuhan, China
| | - Guoda Song
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Second Clinical College, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Li
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhuo Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chao Wei
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shaogang Wang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Delin Ma
- Department of Endocrinology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoyi Yuan
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaming Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Xu W, Jiang H, Liu J, Li H. Non-Coding RNAs: New Dawn for Diabetes Mellitus Induced Erectile Dysfunction. Front Mol Biosci 2022; 9:888624. [PMID: 35813828 PMCID: PMC9257010 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2022.888624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common sexual dysfunction in males, with multifactorial alterations which consist of psychological and organic. Diabetes mellitus (DM) induced erectile dysfunction (DMED) is a disconcerting and critical complication of DM, and remarkably different from non-diabetic ED. The response rate of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (PDE5i), a milestone for ED therapy, is far from satisfactory in DMED. Unfortunately, the contributing mechanisms of DMED remains vague. Hence, It is urgent to seek for novel prospective biomarkers or targets of DMED. Numerous studies have proved that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play essential roles in the pathogenesis process of DM, which comprise of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) like microRNAs (miRNAs), PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs). However, the implications of ncRNAs in DMED are still understudied. This review highlights the pathophysiology of DMED, summarizes identified mechanisms of ncRNAs associated with DMED and covers the topic of perspectives for ncRNAs in DMED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenchao Xu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hongyang Jiang
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jihong Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Jihong Liu, ; Hao Li,
| | - Hao Li
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Institute of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Jihong Liu, ; Hao Li,
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Chen J, Wu J, Huang X, Sun R, Xiang Z, Xu Y, Chen S, Xu W, Yang J, Chen Y. Differences in structural connectivity between diabetic and psychological erectile dysfunction revealed by network-based statistic: A diffusion tensor imaging study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:892563. [PMID: 35966068 PMCID: PMC9365033 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.892563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been found to be associated with abnormalities of the central and peripheral vascular nervous system, which were considered to be involved in the development of cognitive impairments and erectile dysfunction (ED). In addition, altered brain function and structure were identified in patients with ED, especially psychological ED (pED). However, the similarities and the differences of the central neural mechanisms underlying pED and T2DM with ED (DM-ED) remained unclear. METHODS Diffusion tensor imaging data were acquired from 30 T2DM, 32 ED, and 31 DM-ED patients and 47 healthy controls (HCs). Then, whole-brain structural networks were constructed, which were mapped by connectivity matrices (90 × 90) representing the white matter between 90 brain regions parcellated by the anatomical automatic labeling template. Finally, the method of network-based statistic (NBS) was applied to assess the group differences of the structural connectivity. RESULTS Our NBS analysis demonstrated three subnetworks with reduced structural connectivity in DM, pED, and DM-ED patients when compared to HCs, which were predominantly located in the prefrontal and subcortical areas. Compared with DM patients, DM-ED patients had an impaired subnetwork with increased structural connectivity, which were primarily located in the parietal regions. Compared with pED patients, an altered subnetwork with increased structural connectivity was identified in DM-ED patients, which were mainly located in the prefrontal and cingulate areas. CONCLUSION These findings highlighted that the reduced structural connections in the prefrontal and subcortical areas were similar mechanisms to those associated with pED and DM-ED. However, different connectivity patterns were found between pED and DM-ED, and the increased connectivity in the frontal-parietal network might be due to the compensation mechanisms that were devoted to improving erectile function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhuai Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jindan Wu
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinfei Huang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Rui Sun
- Department of Endocrinology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziliang Xiang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shi Chen
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Weilong Xu
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jie Yang
- Department of Urology, Jiangsu Provincial People’s Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Urology, People’s Hospital of Xinjiang Kizilsu Kirgiz Autonomous Prefecture, Artux, Xinjiang, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Chen, ; Jie Yang,
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Yun Chen, ; Jie Yang,
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