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Xiang Z, Huang Y, Xu Y, Liu X, Huang X, Liu T, Yang Z, Jiang L, Chen Y, Chen J. Altered brain activity in diabetic patients with erectile dysfunction revealed by fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation: A resting-state fMRI study. Andrology 2024; 12:68-74. [PMID: 37058742 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 03/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diabetes mellitus is one of the major chronic diseases, which enhances the risk of erectile dysfunction. However, the central pathological mechanisms of erectile dysfunction in diabetes mellitus patients are still unclear. METHODS Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were acquired in 30 type-2 diabetes mellitus, 31 type-2 diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction patients, and 31 healthy controls. The measure of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation was calculated and compared among groups. RESULTS Differences of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation values were found in the left superior frontal gyrus (medial) and middle temporal gyrus among three groups. Compared with healthy controls group, type-2 diabetes mellitus group exhibited lower fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation values in the left superior frontal gyrus (dorsolateral), anterior cingulate gyrus, calcarine fissure, and increased fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation values in the left post-central gyrus. Compared with healthy controls group, erectile dysfunction with type-2 diabetes mellitus group exhibited lower fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation values in the left superior frontal gyrus (medial), middle temporal gyrus, temporal middle (pole), and increased fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation values in the right post-central gyrus. Compared with type-2 diabetes mellitus group, erectile dysfunction with type-2 diabetes mellitus group exhibited increased fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation values in the right median cingulum gyrus and left calcarine fissure. CONCLUSION Erectile dysfunction with type-2 diabetes mellitus patients showed functional changes in brain regions that were closely correlated with sexual dysfunction, which suggested that altered regional brain activity might be related to the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction with type-2 diabetes mellitus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziliang Xiang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yingjun Huang
- Department of Endocrinology, Changzhou Wujin Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Changzhou, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xue Liu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Xinfei Huang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaoxu Yang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Lin Jiang
- Department of Endocrinology, Jiangsu Provincial People's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianhuai Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Liu X, Liu S, Liu T, Tang L, Ji M, Xu Y, Xiang Z, Zhou J, Chen Y, Chen J. Altered regional brain activity and functional connectivity in resting-state brain networks associated with psychological erectile dysfunction. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1074327. [PMID: 37360175 PMCID: PMC10285100 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1074327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Erectile dysfunction (ED), especially psychological ED (pED), is usually accompanied with psychological factors, which are related to abnormal activity in brain regions involved in sexual behavior. However, the mechanisms underlying functional changes in the brain of pED are still unclear. The present study aimed to explore the abnormalities of brain function, as well as their relationships with sexual behavior and emotion in pED patients. Materials and methods Resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) data were collected from 31 pED patients to 31 healthy controls (HCs). The values of amplitude of fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) and functional connectivity (FC) were calculated and compared between groups. In addition, the associations between abnormal brain regions and clinical features were evaluated by Pearson correlation analyses. Results Compared to HCs, pED patients demonstrated decreased fALFF values in the left medial superior frontal gyrus (had decreased FC values with the left dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus), the left lingual gyrus (had decreased FC values with the left parahippocamal gyrus and insula), the left putamen (had decreased FC values with the right caudate) and the right putamen (had decreased FC values with the left putamen and the right caudate). The fALFF values of the left medial superior frontal gyrus were negatively correlated with the fifth item scores of International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Negative relationships were found between fALFF values of the left putamen and the second item scores of Arizona Sexual Scale (ASEX). FC values between the right putamen and caudate were negatively related to the state scores of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S). Conclusion Altered brain function were found in the medial superior frontal gyrus and caudate-putamen of pED patients, which were associated with sexual function and psychological condition. These findings provided new insights into the central pathological mechanisms of pED.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Liu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Shaowei Liu
- Department of Radiology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Liang Tang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Mufan Ji
- Medical College of Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziliang Xiang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianwen Zhou
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianhuai Chen
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
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Yang Y, Qu L, Mu L, Yao J, Su C, Zheng Q, Zheng H, Zhang P, Li Y. Electroacupuncture for psychogenic erectile dysfunction: A resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging study exploring the alteration of fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation. Front Hum Neurosci 2023; 17:1116202. [PMID: 37063106 PMCID: PMC10098132 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2023.1116202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Psychogenic erectile dysfunction (PED) can seriously affect emotional and marital wellbeing. Electroacupuncture (EA) seems an effective method for treating PED. However, the central mechanisms underlying PED and the beneficial effects of EA treatment are unclear. The purpose of this study was to explore the central mechanisms of PED and to examine the impact of EA on erectile function. Methods We recruited 14 PED patients and 14 matched normal controls (NCs). PED patients underwent twice rs-fMRI scans, respectively, pre- and post-treatment. The NCs only completed one rs-fMRI scan. We used the fractional amplitude of low frequency fluctuation (fALFF) to compare spontaneous neural activity between the PED patients and NCs, and to examine the differences between the pre- and post-EA treatment scans in the PED patients. Results Scores on the IIEF5, QEQ, and SEAR improved after EA treatment. Compared with the NCs, PED patients showed increased fALFF in the right posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), right supplementary motor area (SMA), and left middle occipital gyrus. Most of these regions are closely implicated in sexual inhibition. The results of the correlation analysis results indicated that the fALFF of the right PCC was negatively correlated with IIEF5 scores. After treatment, fALFF values were substantially lower in the left triangular part of the inferior frontal gyrus, right DLPFC, right SMA, bilateral PCC and the orbital part of the middle frontal gyrus, and higher in the left middle temporal gyrus and left caudate nucleus. These regions mainly belong to the default mode network (DMN), executive control network and primary sensory motor network. The results of the correlation analysis indicated a positive association between the changes in IIEF5 score and changes in the fALFF value in the right PCC after EA treatment. Conclusion In conclusion, our study highlights that PED patients have abnormal patterns of activity in the right PCC, right DLPFC, and right SMA mainly involved in the DMN, executive central network, and sensory motor network which could lead to a higher levels of sexual inhibition. EA might regulate the process of sexual inhibition to improve erection function in PED patients probably by modulating spontaneous brain activity in the DMN, executive central network, and sensory motor network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqing Yang
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Liu Qu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Linxuan Mu
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junpeng Yao
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chengguo Su
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianhua Zheng
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huabin Zheng
- Department of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, The Hospital of Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Peihai Zhang
- Department of Urology/Andrology, The Hospital of Chengdu University of Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- Peihai Zhang,
| | - Ying Li
- Acupuncture and Tuina School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Ying Li,
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Zhang T, Yuan P, Cui Y, Yuan W, Jiang D. Convergent and Divergent Structural Connectivity of Brain White Matter Network Between Patients With Erectile Dysfunction and Premature Ejaculation: A Graph Theory Analysis Study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:804207. [PMID: 35273555 PMCID: PMC8902049 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.804207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Sexual dysfunction, namely, erectile dysfunction (ED) and premature ejaculation (PE), has been found to be associated with abnormal structural connectivity in the brain. Previous studies have mainly focused on a single disorder, however, convergent and divergent structural connectivity patterns of the brain network between ED and PE remain poorly understood. Methods T1-weighted structural data and diffusion tensor imaging data of 28 patients with psychological ED, 28 patients with lifelong PE (LPE), and 28 healthy controls (HCs) were obtained to map the white matter (WM) brain networks. Then, the graph-theoretical method was applied to investigate the differences of network properties (small-world measures) of the WM network between patients with ED and LPE. Furthermore, nodal segregative and integrative parameters (nodal clustering coefficient and characteristic path length) were also explored between these patients. Results Small-world architecture of the brain networks were identified for both psychological ED and LPE groups. However, patients with ED exhibited increased average characteristic path length of the brain network when compared with patients with LPE and HCs. No significant difference was found in the average characteristic path length between patients with LPE and HCs. Moreover, increased nodal characteristic path length was found in the right middle frontal gyrus (orbital part) of patients with ED and LPE when compared with HCs. In addition, patients with ED had increased nodal characteristic path length in the right middle frontal gyrus (orbital part) when compared with patients with LPE. Conclusion Together, our results demonstrated that decreased integration of the right middle frontal gyrus (orbital part) might be a convergent neuropathological basis for both psychological ED and LPE. In addition, patients with ED also exhibited decreased integration in the whole WM brain network, which was not found in patients with LPE. Therefore, altered integration of the whole brain network might be the divergent structural connectivity patterns for psychological ED and LPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tielong Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Peng Yuan
- Department of Intervention, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Yonghua Cui
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Weibiao Yuan
- Department of Radiology, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
| | - Daye Jiang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jianhu Hospital of Nantong University, Jianhu People's Hospital, Yancheng, China
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Chen J, Huang X, Tang Q, Xiang Z, Xu Y, Liu T, Yang Z, Yang J, Chen Y. Altered Regional Homogeneity in Patients With Diabetic Erectile Dysfunction: A Resting-State fMRI Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:817523. [PMID: 35937825 PMCID: PMC9355575 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.817523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common complication of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) for male patients and it is considered to be associated with different causes including hyperglicemia-induced vascular endothelial cell damages. However, the possible central neural mechanisms shared by these two diseases remain unclear. This study aimed to explore the changes of brain activity and their relationships with the clinical characteristics in patients with diabetic ED. METHODS The data of resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging were acquired in 31 T2DM patients with ED (DM-ED) and 31 matched healthy controls (HCs). The whole-brain regional homogeneity (ReHo) values were calculated and compared between groups. In addition, Pearson correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the relationships between brain regions with altered ReHo values and clinical characteristics in the patient group. RESULTS The DM-ED group exhibited increased ReHo values in the right middle frontal gyrus (orbital part) and decreased ReHo values in the left superior frontal gyrus (dorsolateral), paracentral lobule, precuneus and bilateral supplementary motor area when compared with the HCs group. Moreover, significantly negative correlations were found between ReHo values of the left superior frontal gyrus (dorsolateral) and IIEF-5 scores, as well as the level of HbA1c in the DM-ED group. CONCLUSION The altered spontaneous brain activity in cognitive-related regions revealed by ReHo values might provide new insights into the neurological pathophysiology underlying DM-ED and serve as potential neuroimaging biomarkers for detecting and evaluating ED in diabetes patients.
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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
| | - Xinfei Huang
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinglai Tang
- Department of Urology, The Affiliated Jiangning Hospital of 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
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhaoxu Yang
- Department of Andrology, 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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Ma Z, Ren F, Huang X, Yang X, Li H, Li G, Chang D, Yin T, Zhang P. Decreased gray matter volume of the anterior insular cortex in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction: A voxel-based morphometry study. J Psychiatr Res 2021; 145:125-131. [PMID: 34920162 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the gray matter morphological alteration and its correlation with the severity of symptoms in patients with psychogenic erectile dysfunction (pED). Fifty patients with pED and 50 healthy controls (HCs) were included. The whole-brain voxel-based morphometry analysis was conducted to compare the differences in gray matter volume (GMV) between patients with pED and HCs. And then, the region-of-interest-based correlation analyses were performed between the GMV of these regions with the most pronounced between-group differences and clinical symptoms in patients. The results demonstrated that patients with pED manifested decreased GMV in the bilateral anterior insula (aINS), bilateral precentral gyrus, left postcentral gyrus, bilateral anterior cingulate cortex, bilateral middle cingulate cortex, bilateral fusiform gyrus, and cerebellum when compared to HCs. Taking the bilateral aINS as the region-of-interest, the results of voxel-based correlation analyses showed that the GMV of the bilateral aINS were positively correlated with the International Index of Erectile Function 5 (IIEF-5) and Quality of Erection Questionnaire score, and the GMV of right aINS was positively associated with duration and sexual craving score in patients with pED. Furthermore, the significant correlations between the total GMV of the right aINS and IIEF-5 and sexual craving score, as well as between the total GMV of the left aINS and sexual craving score were also detected. In conclusion, these results suggested that the decreased GMV of aINS might be a critical neuropathological characteristic of pED, which provided new evidence for understanding the neurobiological basis of pED from the perspective of brain structure alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyang Ma
- Department of Andrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China; TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China; Clinical Medical School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610075, China
| | - Feiqiang Ren
- Department of Urology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Chongqing, 400021, China
| | - Xiaopeng Huang
- Department of Andrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China; TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China
| | - Xuemei Yang
- Clinical Medical School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610075, China
| | - Hao Li
- Clinical Medical School, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610075, China
| | - Guangsen Li
- Department of Andrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China; TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China
| | - Degui Chang
- Department of Andrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China; TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China
| | - Tao Yin
- Acupuncture and Tuina School/The 3rd Teaching Hospital, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610075, China; Acupuncture and Brain Science Research Center, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China.
| | - Peihai Zhang
- Department of Andrology, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China; TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, Sichuan, 610072, China.
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Costa RM, Mangia P, Pestana J, Costa D. Heart Rate Variability and Erectile Function in Younger Men: A Pilot Study. Appl Psychophysiol Biofeedback 2021; 46:235-242. [PMID: 33387097 DOI: 10.1007/s10484-020-09499-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) in younger men is an increasing concern. In middle aged and older men, ED was related to lower resting heart rate variability (HRV), but research in younger men is lacking. The present study examined, in a nonclinical sample of 105 men between 18 and 39 years, the association of ED with several parameters of resting HRV. Scores of the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) below 22 were considered as indicating ED. Eighteen men (17.1%) reported ED (mild in 16, mild to moderate in 2). Welch's tests revealed that ED was associated with lower low-frequency power (LF), lower high-frequency power (HF), lower standard deviation of interbeat intervals, and lower standard deviation of the heart rate, which is influenced by both sympathetic and parasympathetic activity. After removing outliers, ED was unrelated to HF. In younger men, erections might be facilitated by a combination of higher parasympathetic tone and relatively higher sympathetic tone in the heart, as indicated by LF and greater standard deviation of the heart rate, a largely overlooked parameter in HRV research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Miguel Costa
- William James Center for Research, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Rua do Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041, Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Paula Mangia
- William James Center for Research, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Rua do Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - José Pestana
- ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Rua do Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - David Costa
- William James Center for Research, ISPA - Instituto Universitário, Rua do Jardim do Tabaco 34, 1149-041, Lisbon, Portugal
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