Erectile Dysfunction

Downstream Revenue Realized by Facilities Placing Inflatable Penile Prosthesis in Medicare Beneficiaries to Treat Erectile Dysfunction

OBJECTIVE

To quantify the incremental downstream revenue generated from subsequent treatment of men who received an inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP) to treat erectile dysfunction (ED), compared to men without ED.

METHODS

The 100% Medicare Standard Analytic Files were used to conduct a retrospective claims analysis of the 5-year revenue generated by patients receiving IPP to treat their ED, compared to a propensity-matched cohort of men without ED. Men aged 65 years or older with ED who underwent IPP implantation (Current Procedural Terminology 54405) in a hospital outpatient setting between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2021, and who had continuous Medicare Parts A and B enrollment for 12 months pre-index IPP and 5 years post-index IPP discharge date were included in the study. Men without ED but with comparable characteristics were identified and used as a comparator group. Revenue received by hospitals from Medicare was defined as the sum of payments for patient services, other payor-paid amounts, patient deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. Revenue was inflated to 2022 US dollars. The mean values and their corresponding standard deviations (SD) are reported.

RESULTS

After matching, there were 2905 men with ED who received an IPP and 7462 men without ED. The IPP cohort showed a significantly higher 5-year cumulative revenue (mean=$34,571 [SD=$50,234]) compared to the men without ED (mean=$3189 [SD=$11,527]). When stratified by diagnosis type, the differences in revenue were $10,258 for circulatory disease, $2646 for diabetes, $2013 for urology, and $1043 for prostate cancer. Significantly more IPP patients had at least 1 health encounter for these conditions over the 5-year follow-up period than their matched controls (55.0% vs 7.8% for circulatory, 46.7% vs 16.8% for urology, 19.3% vs 3.6% for diabetes, and 19.0% vs 3.0% for prostate cancer).

CONCLUSION

Men with ED who received IPP generated substantially higher revenue for the healthcare system over a 5-year period, nearly 10 times as much, compared to men without ED, excluding the initial cost of the IPP procedure. The presence of ED, coupled with IPP usage, is associated with significantly increased healthcare revenue across a range of medical conditions compared to men without ED. These findings emphasize the financial implications for advanced ED programs to improve access to necessary care for these patients. Healthcare facilities may leverage these insights to effectively allocate resources to deliver critical healthcare to men with ED.

Risk of Death in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease Taking Nitrates and Phosphodiesterase-5 Inhibitors

BACKGROUND

Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor (PDE5i) treatment for erectile dysfunction is associated with lower mortality compared with no treatment for erectile dysfunction after myocardial infarction (MI). There are conflicting results regarding the impact of PDE5i treatment on mortality in conjunction with nitrate medication.

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between PDE5i treatment and cardiovascular outcomes in men with stable coronary artery disease treated with nitrate medication.

METHODS

Using the Swedish Patient Register and the Prescribed Drug Register we included men with previous MI or revascularization in 2006-2013 who had 2 dispensed nitrate prescriptions within 6 months. Exposure was defined as at least 2 filled prescriptions of any PDE5i. We performed multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression to estimate HRs with 95% CIs for all-cause, cardiovascular, and noncardiovascular mortality, MI, heart failure, cardiac revascularization, and major cardiovascular events (MACE).

RESULTS

In total, 55,777 men were treated with nitrates and 5,710 men with nitrates and a PDE5i. The combined use of PDE5i treatment with nitrates was associated with higher mortality (HR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.28-1.51), cardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.11-1.62), noncardiovascular mortality (HR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.27-1.54), MI (HR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.55-1.90), heart failure (HR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.48-1.90), cardiac revascularization (HR: 1.95; 95% CI: 1.78-2.13), and MACE (HR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.58-1.83).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of a PDE5i in combination with nitrate medication in men with stable coronary artery disease may pose an increased hazard for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Careful patient-centered consideration before prescribing PDE5is to patients with cardiovascular disease using nitrate medication is warranted.

Serum folic acid: an effective indicator for arteriogenic erectile dysfunction

Background

The present study is the first to explore the correlation between serum folic acid (FA) level and penile arterial peak systolic velocity (PSV) as measured via penile color Doppler ultrasonography (PDU), which directly reflects endothelial function in the penile artery.

Materials and methods

A total of 244 consecutive erectile dysfunction (ED) patients and 72 healthy controls, recruited from the Andrology department and the Healthy Physical Examination Center of our hospital, respectively, from June 2020 to April 2022, were included in the study. Serum FA was measured in ED patients and healthy controls, and PDU examinations were conducted for all eligible ED patients. The Pearson method was used to evaluate the correlation between FA levels and PDU parameters in ED patients. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was also performed to calculate the sensitivity and specificity of these parameters for prediction of arteriogenic ED.

Results

After the PDU test, the average serum FA level among patients diagnosed with arteriogenic ED was 8.08 ± 2.64 ng/ml, lower than the average of 10.78 ± 2.87 ng/ml among healthy controls. There were no statistically significant inter-group differences on any basic parameters, including age, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride. For further analysis, we divided the arteriogenic ED group into three subgroups by PSV range to compare serum FA levels among these subgroups. The mean FA levels in each of these groups were 5.97 ± 1.51ng/ml, and 8.21 ± 2.37ng/ml, and 10.55 ± 2.56ng/ml, while the corresponding PSV values were 15.75 ± 2.39cm/s, 23.53 ± 2.19cm/s, and 32.72 ± 1.64cm/s. Overall, a positive correlation between PSV and FA level was found among patients with arteriogenic ED (r=0.605, P<0.001). Furthermore, when FA level was used, with a cut-off value of 10.045 ng/ml, as a criterion to distinguish patients with arteriogenic ED from healthy controls, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.772 (95% confidential interval: [0.696, 0.848]), for a sensitivity of 0.611 and specificity of 0.824.

Conclusion

Serum FA level is positively correlated with PSV in ED patients, and has the ability to distinguish patients with arteriogenic ED from healthy controls. Taking these findings together, FA deficiency should be regarded as an independent risk factor for arteriogenic ED.

Extracellular vesicles from human urine-derived stem cells merged in hyaluronic acid ameliorate erectile dysfunction in type 2 diabetic rats by glans administration

BACKGROUND

The high prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a challenging clinical problem. Researches on extracellular vesicles from urine-derived stem cells (USC-EVs) have shown that they have significant therapeutic effects in a variety of diseases by injection including ED. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is especially useful for delivering bioactive molecules. This study investigated the effects and related mechanisms of local administration of human USC-EVs combined with HA (USC-EVs-HA) on a rat model of DM2ED.

METHODS

UCSs were extracted from human urine samples and identified for preparation of the corresponding USC-EVs. The effects of high glucose and USC-EVs on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were assessed in vitro using a CCK-8 assay to determine cell proliferation and pick the most appropriate concentration for subsequent experiments. Scratch and tube formation assays were performed to assess the function of HUVECs. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to detect the expression of genes such as B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein (BAX), and superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2). HA, USC-EVs, and USC-EVs-HA were prepared at concentrations and then administered topically to DM2ED rats multiple times. Intracavernous pressure and mean arterial pressure were measured to assess erectile function in rats. Masson, Tunel, Immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis were performed to assess the fibrosis and endothelial function in corpus cavernosum, respectively.

RESULTS

Compared with the control group, the proliferation, migration ability, and tube-forming ability of HUVECs decreased in high glucose environment, while USC-EVs could optimize the function of HUVECs, reverse the expression of apoptotic genes, and enhance the antioxidant capacity. USC-EVs-HA showed improvement in ED compared to the HA and USC-EVs groups, and the 10-dose group was better than the 5-dose group. Histologically, the USC-EVs-HA group significantly improved apoptosis, angiogenesis, and smooth muscle regeneration in the corpus cavernosum compared to the HA group.

CONCLUSIONS

The topical application of USC-EVs-HA in the treatment of DM2ED rats has been proved effective. The potential mechanism might to promote the proliferation of endothelial cells and smooth muscle in the corpus cavernosum, which leads to the remodeling of erectile function. And multiple dosing at intervals may make the effect more pronounced.

Association between international index of erectile function-5 scores and circadian patterns of newly diagnosed hypertension in erectile dysfunction patients

By the beginning of this study in 2019, it was known that hypertension is a risk factor for erectile dysfunction, and also, there are circadian changes that occur in blood pressure. Further, non-dipping hypertension is known to be linked to poor cardiac outcomes and erectile functions, so the research described in this article was initiated with an aim to explore the potential relationship between erectile dysfunction and circadian patterns of newly diagnosed hypertension. Between April 2019 and May 2022, 583 patients aged 30-70 years were diagnosed with erectile dysfunction (ED) in our outpatient clinic. Applying our exclusion criteria to 583 patients, a group of 371 patients left with us; these patients were referred to the cardiology clinic for hypertension evaluation with consecutive ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Data were collected for the study prospectively. Of the 371 patients evaluated with ABPM, 125 had newly diagnosed hypertension (mean BP ≥135/85 mmHg in ABPM). These patients were divided into two groups according to the pattern of hypertension identified in ABPM: dippers (Group D) and non-dippers (Group ND). They were then compared using clinical and laboratory findings, including erectile function scores. While the number of patients in the ND group was 83, the number in the D group was 42. In the ND group, the mean age was higher (59 ± 10 vs. 54 ± 12, p = 0.0024). IIEF-5 (international index of erectile function) scores were determined to be significantly lower in the ND group (14.4 ± 4.9 vs. 11.5 ± 4.6, p = 0.001). Also, serum creatinine levels were higher in Group ND than in D (0.96 ± 0.12 vs. 1 ± 0.15, p = 0.001). In our multivariate analysis, IIEF-5 scores (OR: 0.880, 95% CI: 0.811-0.955; p = 0.002) and serum creatinine levels (OR: 1027, 95% CI: 1003-1052; p = 0.025) were found to be independent risk factors of non-dipper HT. The cut-off value of the IIEF-5 score for non-dipper HT in a ROC curve analysis was 13.5 with 64.3% sensitivity and 66.1% specificity (area under curve value: 0.673 [95% CI: 0.573-0.772, p < 0.001]). This study showed that, in patients with ED, the non-dipper pattern was associated with poorer erectile function when HT was newly diagnosed. We also found that the severity of erectile dysfunction is an independent marker for non-dipper HT.

Cardiovascular/Stroke Risk Assessment in Patients with Erectile Dysfunction-A Role of Carotid Wall Arterial Imaging and Plaque Tissue Characterization Using Artificial Intelligence Paradigm: A Narrative Review

PURPOSE

The role of erectile dysfunction (ED) has recently shown an association with the risk of stroke and coronary heart disease (CHD) via the atherosclerotic pathway. Cardiovascular disease (CVD)/stroke risk has been widely understood with the help of carotid artery disease (CTAD), a surrogate biomarker for CHD. The proposed study emphasizes artificial intelligence-based frameworks such as machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) that can accurately predict the severity of CVD/stroke risk using carotid wall arterial imaging in ED patients.

METHODS

Using the PRISMA model, 231 of the best studies were selected. The proposed study mainly consists of two components: (i) the pathophysiology of ED and its link with coronary artery disease (COAD) and CHD in the ED framework and (ii) the ultrasonic-image morphological changes in the carotid arterial walls by quantifying the wall parameters and the characterization of the wall tissue by adapting the ML/DL-based methods, both for the prediction of the severity of CVD risk. The proposed study analyzes the hypothesis that ML/DL can lead to an accurate and early diagnosis of the CVD/stroke risk in ED patients. Our finding suggests that the routine ED patient practice can be amended for ML/DL-based CVD/stroke risk assessment using carotid wall arterial imaging leading to fast, reliable, and accurate CVD/stroke risk stratification.

SUMMARY

We conclude that ML and DL methods are very powerful tools for the characterization of CVD/stroke in patients with varying ED conditions. We anticipate a rapid growth of these tools for early and better CVD/stroke risk management in ED patients.

Analysis of integrated clinical safety data of tadalafil in patients receiving concomitant antihypertensive medications

This pooled safety analysis assessed the incidence of hypotension‐related treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with concomitant use of tadalafil and antihypertensive medications. Data were pooled from seventy‐two Phase II–IV studies conducted on patients with a diagnosis of erectile dysfunction (ED) and/or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Studies were categorized as either All placebo‐controlled studies or All studies. The incidences of hypotension‐related TEAEs and MACEs were analyzed by indication; by use of concomitant antihypertensive medications; and by the number of concomitant antihypertensive medications. A total of 15 030 and 22 825 patients were included in the analyses for All placebo‐controlled studies and All studies, respectively. In the All placebo‐controlled studies, the incidence of hypotension‐related TEAEs and MACEs was ranging between 0.6–1.5% and 0.0–1.0%, respectively, across all indications. Tadalafil was associated with an increase in hypotension‐related TEAEs only in the ED as‐needed group not receiving any concomitant antihypertensive medications (p‐value = .0070); no significant difference was reported between placebo and tadalafil in the groups of patients receiving ≥1 antihypertensive medication (p‐values ≥ .7386). Similarly, no significant differences (p‐values≥ .2238) were observed in the incidence of MACEs between tadalafil and placebo treatment groups, with or without concomitant use of antihypertensive medications, and across all indication categories. In the All studies group, results were similar. The pooled analysis showed no evidence that taking tadalafil alongside antihypertensive medications increases the risk of hypotension‐related TEAEs or MACEs compared with antihypertensive medications alone.

The Relationship Between Gensini Score and Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome

Introduction

In previous studies, the relationship between atherosclerosis and erectile dysfunction (ED) was examined, but the relationship and correlation between Gensini score which evaluates the extent and severity of chronic coronary syndrome (CCS), and ED severity were not investigated.

Aim

To evaluate the relationship between Gensini score and ED in patients with CCS.

Methods

We included 142 consecutive male patients with the diagnosed CCS and underwent an elective coronary angiography between January 2019 and March 2020.

Main Outcome Measure

Correlation analysis demonstrated that Gensini score significantly negatively correlated with the International Index Erectile Function - 5 (IIEF-5) score (r = -0.417, P < .001).

Results

Severe ED was present in 48 (33.8%) patients, moderate ED in 31 (21.8%) patients, and mild ED in 22 (15.5%) patients. 41(28.9%) patients did not have ED. Both the No ED and Mild ED groups were statistically significantly lower than the Severe ED group in terms of the Gensini score (P < .05). When the recommended optimal cut-off point and accuracy measurements were made for the Gensini score, the area under curve (AUC) value in predicting ED was 0.806 (95% CI: 0.732-0.880, P < .001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that independent predictors for ED were Gensini score and age (P < .001, and P = .026, respectively). Every 1 unit increase in Gensini score resulted in a 6% increase in the occurrence of ED (OR = 1.06, CI:1.03-1.10, P < .001).

Conclusion

ED can be caused by endothelial dysfunction. Patients with severe CSS and high Gensini score should be evaluted for ED. ED may be a sign of severe CCS and a high Gensini score. It is also necessary to evaluate cardiological in patients with ED.

Deger M, Ozmen C, Akdogan N, et al. The Relationship Between Gensini Score and Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Chronic Coronary Syndrome. Sex Med 2021;9:100376.

Examining Online Traffic Patterns to Popular Direct-To-Consumer Websites for Evaluation and Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) Internet-based prescription and pharmacy platforms offer electronic consultation for evaluation and pharmacologic treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) without a physical exam or in-person visit, presenting a potentially dramatic shift in care for this condition.

AIM

To characterize the extent to which DTC prescribing sites for ED generate traffic and attract individual users.

METHODS

Using SEMRush, a marketing software platform that provides analytics regarding website traffic, we examined online site visits to 6 major DTC prescribing websites offering ED evaluation and treatment from October 2017 through December 2019.

OUTCOMES

We recorded trends in the number of unique visitors over time, visitor referral patterns, and the proportion of overall visitors to individual sites.

RESULTS

During the study period, the total number of unique, quarterly visitors increased by 1,688% from 655,733 in the 4th quarter (Q4) 2017 to over 11 million in Q4 2019. In 2019, there were on average 4,971,674 visits to all sites combined each month. For the 2 largest sites (Hims and Roman), visitors predominantly reached the site via direct web address (27.3%) or search engine referral (27.3%).

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS

An increasingly large number of potential patients are utilizing DTC prescribing platforms for the diagnosis and treatment of ED, which do not require physical exams or treatment of other comorbid conditions.

STRENGTH & LIMITATIONS

Demonstrates high demand for ED DTC prescribing services using independent market research software and characterizes the number of visits for the first time. Limitations include the lack of individual demographics and lack of information regarding what proportion of unique visits lead to evaluation and treatment using the services.

CONCLUSION

The dramatic increase in visits to DTC prescribing sites that treat ED represents a paradigm shift in ED care, and it is imperative that clinicians and researchers work to understand how patients utilize online telemedicine, the safety and efficacy of online management of ED, and the potential downstream implications of its widespread use. Wackerbarth JJ, Fantus RJ, Darves-Bornoz A, et al. Examining Online Traffic Patterns to Popular Direct-To-Consumer Websites for Evaluation and Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction. Sex Med 2021;9:100289.

Silent coronary artery disease in type 2 diabetes: a narrative review on epidemiology, risk factors, and clinical studies

Silent coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the manifestations of heart disease that particularly affects subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). From a clinical point of view, silent CAD represents a constant challenge for the diabetologist, who has to decide whether a patient could or could not be screened for this disease. In the present narrative review, several aspects of silent CAD are considered: the epidemiology of the disease, the associated risk factors, and main studies conducted, in the last 20 years, especially aimed to demonstrate the usefulness of the screening of silent CAD, to improve cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes.

Alterations in the phosphodiesterase type 5 pathway and oxidative stress correlate with erectile function in spontaneously hypertensive rats

To explore how alterations in the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) signalling pathway and oxidative stress correlate with changes in the expression of relaxation and contraction molecules and erectile dysfunction (ED) in the corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (CCSM) of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In this study, SHR and Wistar‐Kyoto (WKY) rats were used. Erectile function was determined by apomorphine test and electrical stimulation (ES) of cavernous nerve. Masson's trichrome staining and confocal microscopy were performed. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS), PDE5, phosphorylated‐PDE5 and α1‐adrenergic receptor (α1AR) were determined by RT‐PCR and Western blotting while oxidative stress in CC was determined by colorimetric analysis. SHR exhibited obvious ED. CC of SHR showed less SM but more collagen fibres. The expression of NOS isoforms in SHR was significantly decreased while all α1AR isoforms were increased. In addition, PDE5 and phosphorylated‐PDE5 were down‐regulated and its activity attenuated in the hypertensive rats. Meanwhile, the SHR group suffered oxidative stress, which may be modulated by endoplasmic reticulum stress and NADPH oxidase up‐regulation. Dysregulation of NOS and α1AR, histological changes and oxidative stress in CC may be associated with the pathophysiology of hypertension‐induced ED. In addition, PDE5 down‐regulation may lead to the decreased efficacy of PDE5 inhibitors in some hypertensive ED patients and treatment of oxidative stress could be used as a new therapeutic target for this type of ED.

Developing a prediction model for the self-evaluation of erectile dysfunction in an adult male population

The purpose of this study was to develop an erectile dysfunction (ED) risk assessment tool suitable for the general population. Based on an ED network survey of the general adult male population in China from October to November 2019, a total of 612 cases with a mean age of 31 years (interquartile range: 28-37) with valid data were collected: 357 cases were assigned to the training set and 255 to the validation set. The ED risk prediction model was established by multifactor logistic regression analysis, and nomograms were constructed for visualisation. In the validation set, a receiver operating characteristic curve, calibration curve analysis and decision curve analysis were used to evaluate the discrimination, calibration and clinical usefulness of the ED risk prediction model. Based on multivariate logistic regression, education, smoking, chronic diseases, feelings about one's spouse, frequency of sexual intercourse, masturbation and self-reported sexual satisfaction were selected as predictors to develop the ED prediction model. The model had good discrimination, calibration and clinical applicability. The ED risk prediction model developed in this study can effectively predict ED risk in the general population.

Association Between Erectile Dysfunction and Carotid Subclinical Atherosclerosis in HIV-Infected Patients

BACKGROUND

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is frequent in HIV-infected patients, and it can be associated with atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events. So, the objective was to evaluate whether the presence of moderate-severe ED was a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis (SCA) in HIV-infected patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a cohort of HIV-infected patients. The presence of ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. The presence of SCA was determined by calculating the mean carotid intima-media thickness with Doppler ultrasound. A logistic regression analysis was performed to check the variables associated with SCA.

RESULTS

One hundred thirty-nine men of 45 (10) years of age were included, of which 130 (94.9%) received antiretroviral therapy. In 30 (22%) patients, the Framingham score was higher than 10%. In 36 (25.9%) patients, ED was detected in a moderate-severe degree and in 53 (38.1%), SCA was detected. In the multivariate analysis, variables independently associated with the presence of SCA were as follows: older age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.22, confidence interval (CI) 95%: 1.1 to 1.35, P < 0.001] and moderate-severe ED (OR = 4.68, CI 95%: 1.18 to 18.5; P = 0.028). Variables associated with moderate-severe ED were as follows: age (OR = 1.107, CI 95%: 1.041 to 1.17, P < 0.001) and having antibodies for hepatitis C virus (OR = 5.12, CI 95%: 1.54 to 17.03, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-Infected patients often have moderate-severe ED, especially the elderly and coinfected patients with hepatitis C virus. ED can be an early clinical manifestation of incipient atherosclerosis, so its presence should involve a deep control of cardiovascular risk factors and using a regimen with a better atherogenic profile.

Advances in stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction

INTRODUCTION

Stem cell (SC) application is a promising area of research in regenerative medicine, with the potential to treat, prevent, and cure disease. In recent years, the number of studies focusing on SCs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and other sexual dysfunctions has increased significantly.

AREAS COVERED

This review includes critical ED targets and preclinical studies, including the use of SCs and animal models in diabetes, aging, cavernous nerve injury, and Peyronie's disease. A literature search was performed on PubMed for English articles.

EXPERT OPINION

Combination treatment offers better results than monotherapy to improve pathological changes in diabetic ED. Regenerative medicine is a promising approach for the maintenance of sexual health and erectile function later in life. Cavernous nerve regeneration and vascular recovery employing SC treatment may be focused on radical prostatectomy-induced ED. Notwithstanding, there are a number of hurdles to overcome before SC-based therapies for ED are considered in clinical settings. Paracrine action, not cellular differentiation, appears to be the principal mechanism of action underlying SC treatment of ED. Intracavernosal injection of a single SC type should be the choice protocol for future clinical trials.

It Is Not Taboo: Addressing Sexual Function in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

To review the current state of literature on sexual dysfunction in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD).

RECENT FINDINGS

The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in ACHD is approximately 28%. Compared to age-matched cohorts, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among ACHD cohorts demonstrates significant variability. ACHD have a lower rate of ever having sexual intercourse and often at a later age. Regardless of complexity, ACHD with sexual dysfunction have higher level of distress, decreased quality of life, and worse New York Heart Association classification. Patients, including heart failure and ACHD, treated with dual angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor have reported improved sexual relationships. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction in ACHD patients is high and sexual dysfunction research in ACHD remains limited. Therefore, the relationship between sexual dysfunction and ACHD remains ill-defined. Cardiologists that participate in the care of these patients should proactively discuss sexual health and provide counseling and therapies to provide high-quality healthcare for ACHD.

The Intersection of Medicine and Urology: An Emerging Paradigm of Sexual Function, Cardiometabolic Risk, Bone Health, and Men's Health Centers

Men's mental health and how they think about their health are critical to the future of men's health. Poor health choice patterns are established under age 50, when men are twice as likely to die than women. As the future of medicine focuses on quality and value, a better understanding of the social determinants of men's health will identify areas for improvement. The presentation of a man to a clinician's office with a sexual health complaint presents an opportunity for more complete evaluation. The future of men's health will be well served by integrated men's health centers that focus on the entire man.

Penile microvascular endothelial function in hypertensive patients: effects of acute type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibition

The primary aim of this study was to evaluate penile endothelial microvascular function in patients with primary arterial hypertension and age-matched normotensive subjects using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI). Additionally, we analyzed the acute penile microvascular effects induced by oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor (sildenafil; SIL) administration. Endothelium-dependent microvascular reactivity was evaluated in the penises and forearms of hypertensive patients (aged 58.8±6.6 years, n=34) and age-matched healthy volunteers (n=33) at rest and 60 min following oral SIL (100 mg) administration. LSCI was coupled with cutaneous acetylcholine (ACh) iontophoresis using increasing anodal currents. Basal penile cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC) values were not significantly different between control subjects and hypertensive individuals. Penile CVC values increased significantly after SIL administration in control (P<0.0001) and hypertensive (P<0.0001) subjects. Peak CVC values were not different between the two groups during penile ACh iontophoresis before SIL administration (P=0.2052). Peak CVC values were higher in control subjects than in hypertensive subjects after SIL administration (P=0.0427). Penile endothelium-dependent microvascular function is, to some extent, preserved in patients presenting with primary arterial hypertension under effective anti-hypertensive treatment. LSCI may be a valuable non-invasive tool for the evaluation of penile vascular responses to phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor.

The Patient's Comorbidity Burden Correlates with the Erectile Dysfunction Severity

OBJECTIVE

To explore the potential relationship between erectile dysfunction (ED), low testosterone levels, and the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Cross-sectional study on patients referred to the andrology unit in 7 Spanish centers. The ED was diagnosed and graded using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) score. Total testosterone, the prevalence of each comorbidity, and the CCI were compared between patients with different grades of ED. Besides, the correlation between total testosterone and the CCI score, the influence of each comorbidity, and the ED severity on the CCI was assessed in a multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The study included 430 men with a mean age of 61 years. The mean CCI was 3.5, and mean total testosterone 15.2 nmol/L; 389 (91%) subjects had some grade of ED: 97 (23%) mild, 149 (35%) mild-to-moderate, 86 (20%) moderate, and 57 (13%) severe. The increase in ED severity was significantly associated with a decrease in total testosterone (P=.002), and an increase in the CCI score (P<.001). Testosterone levels were significantly lower in patients with obesity, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, and hypertriglyceridemia (P<.05). However, only the prevalence of diabetes and hypertension was significantly associated with the severity of ED. The multivariate analysis including variables related to all assessed comorbidities, total testosterone levels, and the DE severity significantly predicted the CCI score (P<.001, R²=.426). The severity of ED significantly contributed to this model (P=.011), but total testosterone did not (P=.204).

CONCLUSIONS

The CCI is significantly associated with the ED severity, but it shows a weak correlation with the testosterone levels.

Vascular Erectile Dysfunction and Subclinical Cardiovascular Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

We review the recent literature on the hypothesized temporal relationship between subclinical cardiovascular disease (CVD), vascular erectile dysfunction (ED), and clinical CVD. In addition, we combine emerging research with expert consensus guidelines such as The Princeton Consensus III to provide a preventive cardiologist's perspective toward an ideal approach to evaluating and managing CVD and ED risk in patients.

RECENT FINDINGS

Development of ED was found to occur during the progression from subclinical CVD to clinical CVD. A strong association was observed between subclinical CVD as assessed by coronary artery calcium (CAC) and carotid plaque and subsequent ED, providing evidence for the role of subclinical CVD in predicting ED. ED is also identified as a substantial independent risk factor for overt clinical CVD, and ED symptoms may precede CVD symptoms by 2-3 years.

SUMMARY

Given the body of evidence on the relationship between subclinical CVD, ED, and clinical CVD we recommend that all men with vascular ED should undergo cardiovascular risk assessment. We further recommend using CAC scores for advanced risk assessment in patients at low-intermediate to intermediate risk (5-20% CVD risk), with risk driving subsequent lifestyle and pharmacologic treatment decisions.

Multifactorial intervention to prevent cardiovascular disease in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis: protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial

INTRODUCTION

Cardiovascular morbidity is a major burden in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, we compare the effect of a targeted, intensified, multifactorial intervention with that of conventional treatment of modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with early RA fulfilling the 2010 American College of Rheumatology European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) criteria.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

The study is a prospective, randomised, open label trial with blinded end point assessment and balanced randomisation (1:1) conducted in 10 outpatient clinics in Denmark. The primary end point after 5 years of follow-up is a composite of death from cardiovascular causes, non-fatal myocardial infarction, non-fatal stroke and cardiac revascularisation. Secondary outcomes are: the proportion of patients achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol <2.5 mmol/L, glycated haemoglobin <48 mmol/mol, blood pressure <140/90 mm  Hg for patients without diabetes and <130/80 mm Hg for patients with diabetes and normoalbuminuria (urinary albumin creatinine ratio <30 mg/g) after 1 year of follow-up and the proportion of patients in each treatment group achieving low RA disease activity after 1 year, defined as a disease activity score C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) <3.2 and a DAS28-CRP score <2.6 after 12, 24 and 60 months. Furthermore, all hospitalisations for acute and elective reasons will be adjudicated by the event committee after 12, 24 and 60 months. Three hundred treatment-naive patients with early RA will be randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either conventional treatment administered and monitored by their general practitioner according to national guidelines (control group) or a stepwise implementation administered and monitored in a quarterly rheumatological nurse-administered set-up of behaviour modification and pharmacological therapy targeting (1) hyperlipidaemia, (2) hypertension, (3) hyperglycaemia and (4) microalbuminuria (intervention group).

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

This protocol is approved by the local ethics committee (DK-S-2014007) and The Danish Health and Medicines Authority. Dissemination will occur through presentations at National and International conferences and publications in international peer-reviewed journals.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT02246257.

Erectile Dysfunction Is Not a Predictor of Atrial Fibrillation: A Population-Based Propensity-Score Matched Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction (ED) has been regarded a marker of cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the association between ED and incident atrial fibrillation (AF) remains unknown.

AIM

To determine the association between ED and incident AF.

METHODS

This population-based cohort study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan. In total, 6,273 of patients with ED without a prior diagnosis of AF were enrolled from January 1, 2001 through December 31, 2009, and a propensity-score matching method was used to identify 3,516 patients in the ED and control groups.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Newly incident AF at follow-up was recorded as the end point.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 40.0 ± 17.1 years, and the follow-up period was 8.0 ± 0.5 years. Compared with the control group, patients with ED were older and had more of the following comorbidities: D'Hoore Charlson Comorbidity Index, hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, chronic kidney disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, chronic lung disease, major depression disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, and hyperthyroidism. After adjusting for confounders, the ED group was not associated with more incident AF compared with the control group (hazard ratio = 1.031, 95% confidence interval = 0.674-1.578, P =.888). In these patients, ED of an organic origin was associated with a trend of having AF more often compared with ED of a psychosexual type (P =.272 by log-rank test).

CONCLUSION

Although ED is known as a predictor of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, it is not independently associated with incident AF in men.

Gout is associated with organic and psychogenic erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Gout is a deposition disease with an inflammatory response that can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Gout is stressful for affected individuals, and can cause erectile dysfunction (ED). The objective of this study was to identify the association between gout and psychogenic ED (PED) and organic ED (OED).

METHOD

We analyzed 35,265 patients from the National Health Insurance Research Database who had been diagnosed with gout between 2000 and 2011. A total of 70,529 matched controls were included in the study as a comparison. Patients with a history of PED and OED occurring before the index date, aged less than 20 years, or with incomplete demographic information were excluded. Control patients were selected from the population of people without a history of gout, PED, or OED. The following risk factors for PED and OED were included as covariates in the multivariable models: age, comorbidities of coronary artery disease (CAD), peripheral arterial disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression and anxiety.

RESULT

Men with gout were more likely to have an increased risk (1.21 times) of ED than were those without gout. Patients with gout were 1.52 times more likely to develop OED and 1.18 times more likely to develop PED than patients in the control group. The risk of developing ED was greater for patients with comorbidities of CKD, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Gout is associated with organic and psychogenic ED. Clinical physicians should consider this association when treating patients with gout.

Erectile dysfunction and its management in patients with diabetes mellitus

Diabetes can be described as a syndrome of multiple closely related conditions induced by a chronic state of hyperglycaemia resulting from defective insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Chronic complications associated with diabetes (including neuropathy, vascular disease, nephropathy and retinopathy) are common, and of these, erectile dysfunction (ED) deserves special attention. ED and its correlation with cardiovascular disease require careful evaluation and appropriate treatment. PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5is) are an important tool for the treatment of ED, with new drugs coming onto the market since the late 90s. This review offers an overview of PDE5is and their use in treating ED in diabetes. We underline the differences between different types of PDE5i, focusing on available doses, duration of action, T ½, side effects and selectivity profiles in relation to patients with diabetes. We also discuss the link between diabetes and ED in presence of various associated cofactors (obesity, hypertension and its pharmacological treatments, atherosclerosis, hyperhomocysteinaemia, neuropathy, nephropathy, hypogonadism and depression). Finally a number of past and ongoing clinical trials on the use of PDE5is in patients with diabetes are presented to offer an overview of the appropriate treatment of ED in this condition.

Stem Cell Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: Progress and Future Directions

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common sexual disorder reported by men to their health-care providers and the most investigated male sexual dysfunction. Currently, the treatment of ED focuses on symptomatic relief of ED and therefore tends to provide temporary relief rather than providing a cure or reversing the underlying cause. Recently, stem cell-based therapies have received increasing attention regarding their potential for the recovery of erectile function. Preclinical studies have shown that these cells may reverse pathophysiological changes leading to ED rather than treating the symptom ED.

AIM

To review available evidence on the efficacy and mechanisms of action of stem cell application for the treatment of ED.

METHODS

A nonsystematic review was conducted on the available English literature between 1966 and 2013 on the search engines SciVerse-sciencedirect, SciVerse-scopus, Google Scholar, and PubMed.

RESULTS

Several preclinical studies have addressed stem cell-based therapies for the recovery of erectile function following cavernous nerve injury and in Peyronie's disease, diabetes, aging, and hyperlipidemia. Overall, these studies have shown beneficial effects of stem cell therapy, while evidence on the mechanisms of action of stem cell therapy still varies between studies. While many authors propose engraftment and differentiation of stem cells, a recent paradigm shift toward paracrine mechanisms of action is observed. One clinical study investigated stem cell therapy in diabetic patients, and two more clinical trials are currently recruiting patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The development of methods to deliver stem cells to the penis has kindled a keen interest in understanding stem cell biology as it related to restoration of normal penile vascular and neuronal homeostasis. The use of stem cells for the treatment of ED represents an exciting new field, which still requires extensive basic research and human trials in diverse ED patient populations in order to define its role in the treatment of ED. Albersen M, Weyne E, and Bivalacqua TJ. Stem cell therapy for erectile dysfunction: Progress and future directions. Sex Med Rev 2013;1:50-64.

Regulation of mitochondrial bioenergetic function by hydrogen sulfide. Part II. Pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects

Emerging work demonstrates the dual regulation of mitochondrial function by hydrogen sulfide (H2 S), including, at lower concentrations, a stimulatory effect as an electron donor, and, at higher concentrations, an inhibitory effect on cytochrome C oxidase. In the current article, we overview the pathophysiological and therapeutic aspects of these processes. During cellular hypoxia/acidosis, the inhibitory effect of H2 S on complex IV is enhanced, which may shift the balance of H2 S from protective to deleterious. Several pathophysiological conditions are associated with an overproduction of H2 S (e.g. sepsis), while in other disease states H2 S levels and H2 S bioavailability are reduced and its therapeutic replacement is warranted (e.g. diabetic vascular complications). Moreover, recent studies demonstrate that colorectal cancer cells up-regulate the H2 S-producing enzyme cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), and utilize its product, H2 S, as a metabolic fuel and tumour-cell survival factor; pharmacological CBS inhibition or genetic CBS silencing suppresses cancer cell bioenergetics and suppresses cell proliferation and cell chemotaxis. In the last chapter of the current article, we overview the field of H2 S-induced therapeutic 'suspended animation', a concept in which a temporary pharmacological reduction in cell metabolism is achieved, producing a decreased oxygen demand for the experimental therapy of critical illness and/or organ transplantation.

Gas what: NO is not the only answer to sexual function

The ability to get and keep an erection is important to men for several reasons and the inability is known as erectile dysfunction (ED). ED has started to be accepted as an early indicator of systemic endothelial dysfunction and subsequently of cardiovascular diseases. The role of NO in endothelial relaxation and erectile function is well accepted. The discovery of NO as a small signalling gasotransmitter led to the investigation of the role of other endogenously derived gases, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2 S) in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The role of NO and CO in sexual function and dysfunction has been investigated more extensively and, recently, the involvement of H2 S in erectile function has also been confirmed. In this review, we focus on the role of these three sister gasotransmitters in the physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology of sexual function in man, specifically erectile function. We have also reviewed the role of soluble guanylyl cyclase/cGMP pathway as a common target of these gasotransmitters. Several studies have proposed alternative therapies targeting different mechanisms in addition to PDE-5 inhibition for ED treatment, since some patients do not respond to these drugs. This review highlights complementary and possible coordinated roles for these mediators and treatments targeting these gasotransmitters in erectile function/ED.

Long-term high-fat consumption leads to downregulation of Akt phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 and upregulation of Sirtuin-1 expression in rat cavernous tissue

Long-term consumption of high-fat diets negatively interferes with metabolic status and promotes endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. In the cavernous tissue, these outcomes become conspicuous in the elderly and strongly affect penile erection, a vascular process highly dependent on local nitric oxide bioavailability. Although epidemiological data links erectile dysfunction to nutritional patterns, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effects of long-term high-fat diet on endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-Sirtuin-1 axis and Akt/eNOS phosphorylation in the cavernous tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats, and compared with energy-restricted animals. We demonstrated that high-fat diet intake led to a noteworthy decrease in eNOS phosphorylation at Ser1177 residue through the Akt pathway, which seems to be compensated by upregulation of phosphorylation at Ser615, but without an increment in nitric oxide production. These results are accompanied by an increase of systemic inflammatory markers and upregulation of the inducible NOS and of the deacetylase Sirtuin-1 in the cavernous tissue to levels apparently detrimental to cells and to metabolic homeostasis. Conversely, in long-term energy-restricted animals, the rate of phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser1177 diminished, but the activation of the enzyme increased through phosphorylation of eNOS at Ser615, resulting in an enhancement in nitric oxide bioavailability. Taken together, our results demonstrate that long-term nutritional conditions override the influence of age on the eNOS expression and activation in rat cavernous tissue.

The Relationship between Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration and Erectile Dysfunction

Purpose. To evaluate association between erectile dysfunction (ED) and neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods. 195 men enrolled in this cross-sectional study. 90 of them had neovascular AMD and 105 of them were healthy volunteers. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire's erectile function (EF) domain was used to assess ED. The patients in the study and control groups were statistically compared according to visual acuity, EF score, and body mass index. Results. The mean ages were 62 (54.5–73) and 60 (54–68), in the neovascular AMD and control groups, respectively. The total EF scores were 9 (6–16) in neovascular AMD and 18 (9.5–27) in control group. The results of IIEF questionnaire on neovascular AMD patients revealed that 85 men (94.4%) had some degree of ED, whereas 68 men (64.8%) had some degree of ED on control group. Patients with neovascular AMD had a significantly higher incidence of ED than control patients (P < 0.01). There was a significant association between ED and neovascular AMD (P < 0.01). Conclusions. Our results suggested that neovascular AMD has a high association with ED.

Treatment with CB2 agonist JWH-133 reduces histological features associated with erectile dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic mice

Hypercholesterolemia is one of the most important risk factors for erectile dysfunction, mostly due to the impairment of oxidative stress and endothelial function in the penis. The cannabinoid system might regulate peripheral mechanisms of sexual function; however, its role is still poorly understood. We investigated the effects of CB₂ activation on oxidative stress and fibrosis within the corpus cavernosum of hypercholesterolemic mice. Apolipoprotein-E-knockout mice were fed with a western-type diet for 11 weeks and treated with JWH-133 (selective CB₂ agonist) or vehicle during the last 3 weeks. CB₂ receptor expression, total collagen content, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production within the penis were assessed. In vitro corpus cavernosum strips preparation was performed to evaluate the nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. CB₂ protein expression was shown in cavernosal endothelial and smooth muscle cells of wild type and hypercholesterolemic mice. Treatment with JWH-133 reduced ROS production and NADPH-oxidase expression in hypercholesterolemic mice penis. Furthermore, JWH-133 increased endothelial NO synthase expression in the corpus cavernosum and augmented NO bioavailability. The decrease in oxidative stress levels was accompanied with a reduction in corpus cavernosum collagen content. In summary, CB₂ activation decreased histological features, which were associated with erectile dysfunction in hypercholesterolemic mice.

Increased risk of erectile dysfunction among males with central serous chorioretinopathy -- a retrospective cohort study

PURPOSE

Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSCR) mostly affects middle-aged men and has been associated with stress and hypercortisolism. We hypothesized that some factors prone to inducing CSCR could also have a harmful effect on erectile function. This study aimed to investigate the risk of subsequent erectile dysfunction after CSCR using Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

METHODS

The study cohort (n = 1220) consisted of newly diagnosed CSCR men aged 19-64 years between 1999 and 2007, and men matched for age, monthly income and time of enrolment were randomly selected as the control group (n = 10870). Cox proportional hazard regressions were performed to calculate the hazard ratios (HR) of clinically diagnosed erectile dysfunction (including organic origin and/or psychogenic origin) for the two groups. Erectile dysfunction-free survival analysis was assessed using a Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (2.0%) from the CSCR cohort and 103 (0.9%) from the control group were diagnosed erectile dysfunction clinically during a mean observation period of 4.3 years. Patients with CSCR had a significantly higher incidence of erectile dysfunction diagnosis than those without CSCR (p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, geographic location, chronic comorbidities and medication habits, patients with CSCR were found to have a 2.22-fold [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.42-3.46] higher hazard ratio of a subsequent erectile dysfunction diagnosis than the matched controls. The adjusted HR for organic and psychogenic erectile dysfunction were 2.14 (95% CI: 1.34-3.44) and 3.83 (95% CI: 1.47-10.01), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Central serous chorioretinopathy was independently associated with an increased risk of being diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.

Energy restriction ameliorates metabolic syndrome-induced cavernous tissue structural modifications in aged rats

High-fat (HF) diet regular intake along life highly contributes to vascular dysfunction and to an increment in prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and erectile dysfunction (ED), a surrogate symptom of occult vascular disease, in the elderly. However, little is known about the effects of energy restriction (ER) alone/or after an HF-feeding period. We show here that in male Sprague-Dawley rats, 16 months of HF-diet consumption led to an increase in body adiposity, blood pressure, lipidemia, C-reactive protein, and insulin resistance and to hypoadiponectinemia, conditions that cluster in MetS. In addition, this treatment strongly favored collagen deposition in cavernous tissue and myocardium. Conversely, for the same time period, the ingestion of 75 % of ad libitum energy intake by controls (ER) extensively counteracted these outcomes. The impact of 6-month ER after 10-month HF period was also analyzed, and despite the decrease in body weight, adiposity, blood pressure, lipidemia, and C-reactive protein and improvement of insulin sensitivity, no differences were observed either in adiponectin blood levels or in retroperitoneal fat pad mass. Moreover, this treatment led to a reduction in cavernous tissue collagen deposition, but not in the myocardium, and evidenced differential mobilization of adipose tissue accretions. The data show the ability of HF diet to cause MetS and produce unwanted effects on myocardium and corpora vascular structure. They also indicate that these consequences are preventable upon ER diet starting early, but not later, in life.

Diabetes severity, metabolic syndrome, and the risk of erectile dysfunction

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is more common in men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), obesity, and/or the metabolic syndrome (MetS).

AIM

The aim of this study is to investigate the associations among proxy measures of diabetic severity and the presence of MetS with ED in a nationally representative U.S. data sample.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of adult participants in the 2001-2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

ED was ascertained by self-report. T2DM severity was defined by calculated measures of glycemic control and insulin resistance (IR). IR was estimated using fasting plasma insulin (FPI) levels and the homeostasis model assessment of IR (HOMA-IR) definition. We classified glycemic control using hemoglobin-A1c (HbA1c) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels. MetS was defined by the American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute criteria. Logistic regression models, adjusted for sociodemographics, risk factors, and comorbidities, were fitted for each measure of T2DM severity, MetS, and the presence of ED.

RESULTS

Proxy measures of glycemic control and IR were associated with ED. Participants with FPG between 100-126 mg/dL (5.6-7 mmol/L) and ≥ 126 mg/dL (>7 mmol/L) had higher odds of ED, odds ratio (OR) 1.22 (confidence interval or CI, 0.83-1.80), and OR 2.68 (CI, 1.48-4.86), respectively. Participants with HbA1c 5.7-6.4% (38.8-46.4 mmol/mol) and ≥ 6.5% (47.5 mmol/mol) had higher odds of ED (OR 1.73 [CI, 1.08-2.76] and 3.70 [CI, 2.19-6.27], respectively). When FPI and HOMA-IR were evaluated by tertiles, there was a graded relation among participants in the top tertile. In multivariable models, a strong association remained between HbA1c and ED (OR 3.19 [CI,1.13-9.01]). MetS was associated with >2.5-fold increased odds of self reported ED (OR 2.55 [CI, 1.85-3.52]).

CONCLUSIONS

Poor glycemic control, impaired insulin sensitivity, and the MetS are associated with a heightened risk of ED.

Stem-cell therapy for erectile dysfunction

INTRODUCTION

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is the most common sexual disorder that men report to healthcare providers, and is the male sexual dysfunction that has been most investigated. Current treatments for ED focus on relieving the symptoms of ED and therefore tend to provide a temporary solution rather than a cure or reversing the cause. Recently, therapies based on stem cells (SCs) have had an increasing attention for their potential to restore erectile function. Preclinical studies showed that these cells might reverse the pathophysiological changes leading to ED, rather than treating the symptoms of ED. This review is intended to provide an overview of contemporary reports on the use of SCs to treat ED.

METHODS

We made an extensive search for reports on SC-based therapy for the management of ED, published in English between 1966 and 2013, using the search engines SciVerse-sciencedirect, SciVerse-scopus, Google Scholar and Pubmed, with the search terms 'erectile dysfunction', 'stem cells', 'multipotent stromal cells', 'adipose (tissue) derived stem cells', 'bone-marrow derived stem cells', 'animal model', 'diabetes', 'ageing', 'Peyronie's Disease' and 'cavernous nerve injury'.

RESULTS

Fifty-four papers were identified and contributed, either as an original research report or review thereof, to this review. Several preclinical studies addressed SC-based therapies for the recovery of erectile function caused by a variety of both chronic and acute conditions. Overall, these studies showed beneficial effects of SC therapy, while evidence on the mechanisms of action of SC therapy varied between studies. One clinical trial investigated the short-term effects of SC therapy in diabetic patients with ED. Two more clinical trials are currently recruiting patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The rapidly expanding and highly promising body of preclinical work on SC-based medicine providing a potential cure for ED, rather than merely symptom relief, is indicative of the increasing interest in regenerative options for sexual medicine over the past decade. Clinical trials are currently recruiting patients to test the preclinical results in men with ED.

AVE 0991, a non-peptide Mas-receptor agonist, facilitates penile erection

The renin-angiotensin system plays a crucial role in erectile function. It has been shown that elevated levels of angiotensin II contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction both in humans and in aminals. On the contrary, the heptapeptide angiotensin-(1-7) appears to mediate penile erection by activation of the Mas receptor. Recently, we have shown that the erectile function of Mas gene-deleted mice was substantially reduced, which was associated with a marked increase in fibrous tissue in the corpus cavernosum. We have hypothesized that the synthetic non-peptide Mas agonist, AVE 0991, would potentiate penile erectile function. We showed that intracavernosal injection of AVE 0991 potentiated the erectile response of anaesthetized Wistar rats, measured as the ratio between corpus cavernosum pressure and mean arterial pressure, upon electrical stimulation of the major pelvic ganglion. The facilitatory effect of AVE 0991 on erectile function was dose dependent and completely blunted by the nitric oxide synthesis inhibitor, l-NAME. Importantly, concomitant intracavernosal infusion of the specific Mas receptor blocker, A-779, abolished the effect of AVE 0991. We demonstrated that AVE 0991 potentiates the penile erectile response through Mas in an NO-dependent manner. Importantly, these results suggest that Mas agonists, such as AVE 0991, might have significant therapeutic benefits for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.