Low serum melatonin levels are associated with erectile dysfunction

ABSTRACT Objective: Melatonin is a hormone secreted from the pineal gland and has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. Oxidative stress is considered as an important factor in the etiology of erectile dysfunction (ED), and in many experimental models, positive results have been obtained with melatonin treatment. This study aimed to measure serum melatonin levels in ED patients and to investigate the possible relationship between ED and melatonin levels. Materials and Methods: Sixty-two patients diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe ED according to the five-item International Erectile Function Index (IIEF-5) and 22 healthy individuals were included in the study. The serum melatonin levels, anthropometric data, and other biochemical and hormonal parameters of all the subjects were recorded. Detailed anamnesis was also obtained in terms of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, smoking status, and alcohol use. Results: The serum melatonin level was found 34.2±13.3 ng/dL in the mild ED group, 33.3±14.7 ng/dL in the moderate ED group, 34.8±17.2 ng/dL in the severe ED group, and 44.6±16.5 ng/dL in the control group. The serum melatonin levels were significantly lower in all ED groups compared to the control group (p=0.019). There was no significant difference in the serum melatonin levels between the three ED groups. Diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, smoking and alcohol use were not significantly different between the ED groups (p>0.05). Conclusion: We consider that if our findings are supported by further studies with larger populations, the measurement of the serum melatonin level may have a future role in the diagnosis and treatment of ED.

Serum homocysteine levels and sildenafil 50 mg response in young-adult male patients without vascular risk factors.

The aim of the present study was to investigate serum homocysteine levels in patients with erectile dysfunction and to evaluate the relationship between serum homocysteine levels and response to the standard 50 mg phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor treatment. Twenty-eight erectile dysfunction patients having normal vascular parameter according to Penile Doppler Ultrasonography and twenty healthy subjects were enrolled in the study. All subjects filled The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire. A total of 4-6 doses of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (sildenafil 50 mg) were given to patients. Later, they were divided into two groups as sildenafil responder and non-responder. Serum homocysteine levels were compared in groups based on sildenafil response. Compared with healthy subject, higher homocysteine levels were observed in patients with erectile dysfunction (p = 0.005), especially in sildenafil non-responder group (p = 0.005). There was significant negative correlation between homocysteine and IIEF scores in group responder to sildenafil treatment (r = -0.698, p = 0.008). Mean IIEF scores of patients with non-responder to sildenafil 50 mg were lower than those of controls (p = 0.0001), but mean IIEF scores of patients with responders approached values observed in control subjects (p = 0.002). The results indicated that measurement of serum homocysteine levels could be used as a marker for the evaluation of efficacy of phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor and the selection of efficacious alternative therapies.

Papel da disfunção erétil como manifestação sentinela e marcador de risco para doença coronariana / Role of erectile dysfunction as a sentinel event and risk marker for coronary disease

INTRODUÇÃO: A doença cardiovascular é a causa mais comum de morte em todo o mundo. Em homens, 50% das mortes por doença arterial coronariana ocorre em indivíduos sem história prévia de doença cardiovascular. Disfunção erétil e doença arterial coronariana têm uma relação estreita, já que ambas são consequências de disfunção endotelial, levando a limitações no fluxo sanguíneo. A associação entre severidade da disfunção erétil e a extensão das lesões da doença arterial coronariana ao exame angiográfico sugere que homens com disfunção erétil sejam considerados sob risco aumentado de doença arterial coronariana. OBJETIVO: Avaliar o papel da disfunção erétil como manifestação sentinela e/ou marcador de risco para doença arterial coronariana. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se uma análise secundária com dados previamente coletados em dois projetos (“Projeto Avaliar” e “Projeto Ampliar”). Pacientes do sexo masculino, com idade >18 anos, foram convidados a participar das duas pesquisas sobre disfunção erétil ao comparecerem a uma consulta médica ambulatorial em 2002-2003 (Projeto Avaliar) e em 2003-2004 (Projeto Ampliar)...

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death worldwide. In men, 50% of deaths due to coronary artery disease occur among those without previous history of cardiovascular disease. Erectile dysfunction and coronary artery disease are closely related, since they are both consequences of endothelial dysfunction, leading to restrictions on the blood flow. The association between the severity of erectile dysfunction and the angiographic extension of coronary artery disease suggests that men with erectile dysfunction be considered at increased risk for coronary artery disease. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the role of erectile dysfunction as a sentinel sign and/or surrogate of risk for coronary artery disease. METHODS: We performed a secondary analysis on data previously collected in two research projects (“Projeto Avaliar” e “Projeto Ampliar”). Male patients, age 18 years old or more, were invited to participate in two surveys about erectile dysfunction while attending a routine office visit or consultation in 2002-2003 (Projeto Avaliar) and in 2003-2004 (Projeto Ampliar)...

Índice Internacional de Função Erétil Simplificado e doença coronariana em pacientes hipertensos / Simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and coronary artery disease in hypertensive patients

FUNDAMENTO: A Disfunção Erétil (DE) se associa ao risco aumentado de Doença Arterial Coronariana (DAC). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre DE, determinada pelo Índice Internacional de Função Erétil Simplificado (IIFE-5), e DAC. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal que avaliou 263 hipertensos (55 [50 - 61] anos). A DE foi avaliada pelo IIEF-5 e a DAC, por meio da história de revascularização miocárdica prévia e/ou por cineangiocoronariografia. RESULTADOS: O IIFE-5 se correlacionou com o clearance de creatinina [ClCr] (Rho = 0,23; p < 0,001) e com a idade (Rho = -0,22; p < 0,001). Quarenta e dois pacientes apresentavam DAC; e o IIFE-5 foi capaz de discriminá-los (área sob a curva ROC = 0,63; p = 0,006). Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos: IIFE-5 < 20 (n = 140) e IIFE- 5 > 20 (n = 123); aqueles com menor IIFE-5 tinham idade mais elevada (57 [52 - 61] vs. 54 [45 - 60] anos; p = 0,002), maior prevalência de DAC (22% vs. 9%; p = 0,004), tabagismo (64% vs. 47%; p = 0,009) e do uso de inibidores dos canais de cálcio (65 % vs. 43%; p = 0,001), além de menor ClCr (67,3 [30,8 - 88,6] vs. 82,6 [65,9 - 98,2] ml/min; p < 0,001). O IIFE-5 < 20 se associou ao maior risco de DAC em regressão logística; tanto univariada (RR = 2,89 [IC 95% 1,39 - 6,05]), quanto após ajustes para idade, diabetes, ClCr, tabagismo, pressão arterial média e uso de anti- hipertensivos (RR = 2,59 [IC 95%: 1,01 - 6,61]). CONCLUSÃO: O IIFE-5 se associa ao diagnóstico de DAC e sua utilização pode agregar informação ao estadiamento do risco cardiovascular em pacientes hipertensos.

BACKGROUND: Erectile Dysfunction (ED) is associated with increased risk of coronary artery disease (CAD). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between ED, determined by the Simplified International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) and CAD. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional cohort study that evaluated 263 hypertensive patients (55 [50-61] years). ED was assessed through the IIEF-5 and CAD by the history of previous myocardial revascularization and/or coronary angiography. RESULTS: The IIEF-5 correlated with creatinine clearance [CrCl] (Rho = 0.23, p <0.001) and age (Rho = -0.22, p <0.001). Forty-two patients had CAD, and IIEF-5 was able to discriminate them (area under the ROC curve = 0.63, p = 0.006). Patients were divided into two groups: IIEF-5 < 20 (n = 140) and IIEF-5 > 20 (n = 123); those with lower IIEF-5 scores were older (57 [52-61] vs. 54 [45-60] years, p = 0.002), had higher prevalence of CAD (22% vs. 9%, p = 0.004), smoking (64% vs. 47%, p = 0.009) and use of calcium channel inhibitors (65% vs. 43.%, p = 0.001), as well as lower CrCl (67.3 [30.8 to 88.6] vs. 82.6 [65.9 - 98.2] ml/min, p <0.001). The IIEF-5 < 21 was associated with increased risk of CAD in the logistic regression, both univariate (RR = 2.89 [95%CI: 1.39 - 6.05]), and after adjusting for age, diabetes, CrCl, smoking, mean arterial pressure and use of antihypertensive drugs (RR = 2.59 [95% CI: 1.01 - 6.61]). CONCLUSION: The IIEF-5 is associated with the diagnosis of CAD and its use can add information to cardiovascular risk staging in hypertensive patients.

Insulinorresistencia y disfunción eréctil: Efecto del tratamiento con metformina / Insulin resistance and erectile dysfunction: Effect of treatment with metformin

La erección depende de la liberación de óxido nítrico (ON) endotelial. La insulinorresistencia (IR) produce disfunción endotelial por menor síntesis y liberación de ON. El tratamiento con metformina mejora la función eréctil en ratones con IR y disfunción eréctil (DE). Objetivos: Evaluar en pacientes con DE: 1) la presencia de IR; 2) el grado de severidad de la DE según la presencia de IR y 3) el efecto del tratamiento con metformina sobre la función eréctil en pacientes con DE e IR. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo, randomizado, doble ciego con placebo. Se incluyeron 81 pacientes con DE y 20 hombres sin DE (grupo control). Se evaluó función eréctil con el cuestionario IIEF-5. Se evaluó IR con el índice HOMA. Se consideró IR si HOMA ≥3. Treinta pacientes con DE, IR y pobre respuesta al sildenafil fueron randomizados para recibir tratamiento con metformina o placebo. Resultados: Se encontró una diferencia significativa entre pacientes con DE y el grupo control en HOMA: 4.9±2.8 versus 3.6±2.6 (p=0.03). La prevalencia de IR fue mayor en los pacientes con DE que en el grupo control: 77.7% versus 45.0% (p=0.008). Se halló una correlación negativa entre HOMA e IIEF-5: r:-0.21 (p=0.04). Los pacientes con DE e IR tuvieron menor score IIEF-5 que los pacientes con DE sin IR. Luego del tratamiento con metformina, los pacientes con DE tuvieron un incremento significativo en el score IIEF-5 y una disminución significativa del HOMA a los 2 y 4 meses de tratamiento, no se observaron cambios en IIEF-5 ni HOMA en los pacientes que recibieron placebo. Conclusión: nuestros hallazgos hacen suponer que la disfunción endotelial causada por IR podría ser uno de los mecanismos fisiopatológicos de la DE. El tratamiento con metformina en pacientes con DE reduce la IR y podría mejorar la respuesta al tratamiento con sildenafil. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metab 47: 13-20, 2010. Los autores declaran no tener conflictos de interés.

Erection depends largely on the release of nitric oxide (NO) by vascular endothelium. Insulin resistance (IR), present in most subjects who have obesity, metabolic syndrome (MS) or type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is a metabolic abnormality that produces endothelial dysfunction determined by minor synthesis and release of NO. Treatment with metformin improves erectile function in mice with erectile dysfunction (ED) and IR. Aims: To evaluate in ED patients: 1) the presence of IR; 2) the degree of severity of ED according to the presence of IR; 3) the effect of treatment with metformin on erectile function in patients with ED and IR. Methods: Prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind placebo study. We included 81 patients with ED and 20 men without ED (control group). Exclusion criteria: pharmacologic, anatomic or endocrine ED (hypogonadism or hyperprolactinemia), DM2, prior prostatic surgery or chronic illnesses. The erectile function was rated according the International Index of Erectile Function 5. IR was measerud by HOMA index. Thirty patients with ED, IR and poor response to sildenafil were randomized to receive metformin or placebo. Results: Patients with ED had higher HOMA index versus control group: 4.9 ± 2.8 versus 3.6 ± 2.6, p=0.03. The prevalence of IR was higher in ED group versus control group: 77.7% versus 45.0%, p=0.008. We found a negative correlation between HOMA and IIEF-5: r:-0.21, p=0.04. Patients with ED and IR (n=62) had lower IIEF-5 score when compared with those without IR (n=19): 13.6 ± 4.3 versus 16.0 ± 3.1, p=0.04. After treatment with metformin patients with ED showed a significant increase in IIEF-5 score and a significant decrease in HOMA index both at 2 and 4 months of treatment. Changes in the IIEF-5 score and HOMA index were not observed in patients with ED receiving placebo. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that endothelial dysfunction caused by IR could be one of the pathophysiologial mechanisms of ED. Treatment with metformin in patients with ED reduces IR and could improve response to treatment with sildenafil. Rev Argent Endocrinol Metab 47: 13-20, 2010 No competing finantial interests exist.

Acute effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor on serum oxidative status and prolidase activities in men with erectile dysfunction

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the acute effect of phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor on erectile dysfunction by evaluating serum oxidative status and prolidase activity. METHODS: Serum samples of 36 patients with erectile dysfunction and 30 control cases were analyzed for total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, and prolidase activity, before and after the administration of tadalafil citrate. RESULTS: Before and after tadalafil citrate administration, serum total antioxidant status, total oxidant status, and prolidase were 1.1+0.0 vs. 1.6 + 0.0 umol H2O2 Eq/L, 10.3+1.1 vs. 6.9 + 1.2 umol H2O2 Eq/L, and 236.4+19.5 vs. 228.2 + 19.2 U/L, respectively (p<0.0001 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of serum oxidative status and prolidase activity confirmed the beneficial acute effects of PDE5 inhibitor in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Inverse correlation between testosterone and ventricle ejection fraction, hemodynamics and exercise capacity in heart failure patients with erectile dysfunction

BACKGROUND: Neurohormonal activation and abnormalities in growth hormone and testosterone concentrations have been reported in heart failure (HF). Erectile dysfunction(ED) is common in these patients and contributes to a low quality of life. No data are known regarding the correlation between testosterone and hemodynamics, exercise capacity and cardiac function in HF patients with ED, a marker of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to correlate testosterone levels with cardiac function, hemodynamic and exercise capacity in HF patients with ED. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifteen HF patients underwent a six-minute treadmill cardiopulmonary walking test (6'CWT) and, ten minutes later, a maximum cardiopulmonary exercise test. Also, testosterone and other hormones were determined at rest. RESULTS: Among hemodynamic variables only diastolic blood pressure on 6'CWT was correlated with testosterone levels(r =- 0.66, p = 0.007). The variables on exercise tests, VE/VCO2 slope and oxygen consumption did not show any correlation, except the distance at 6'CWT (r = 0.50, p = 0,047). Right and left ventricle ejection fraction showed inverse correlation with testosterone (r =- 0.55, p = 0.03 and r =- 0.69, p = 0.004 respectively). CONCLUSION: Testosterone levels correlated directly with distance at six-minute cardiopulmonary walk test and inversely with diastolic blood pressure, right and left ventricle ejection fraction in heart failure patients with erectile dysfunction. Further elucidation of mechanisms as regards testosterone action in these patients is warranted.

A Relationship of Sex Hormone Levels and Erectile Dysfunction: Which Tests Should Be Done Routinely?

PURPOSE: In this study, the relationship between sex hormone levels and erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as the necessity of routinely measuring sex hormone levels were evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included one hundred patients admitted to a urology clinic for sexual dysfunction. To determine the hormone levels, following the history (included IIEF-5 score) and physical examination, triple blood samples were collected at intervals of 15 minutes between 08:00 and 10:00 am. Total and free testosterone, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels were studied. RESULTS: Mean age was 43 (23-80) years. IIEF-5 score was less than 21 [9.8-4.3 (3-19)] in all study groups. There was a statistically significant correlation between tT and FSH, as well as between LH and FSH in Pearson (r =-0.513, p 0.05). Of the 100 patients, 18 (18%) had low tT, 77 (77%) had normal and 5 (5%) had high tT levels. No statistically significant correlation was found between decreased libido and tT levels (p > 0.05). Twelve (66.6%) of the 18 patients with low tT had normal libido. CONCLUSION: Analyzing the medical history in detail and performing a thorough physical examination can reduce the need for excessive studies and consultations, and enables patients to save time and costs.

Corporeal blood gas changes according to duration of drug-induced prolonged erection

The corporeal blood gas changes in accordance with the duration of the prolonged erection which developed after intracorporeal pharmacotherapy with papaverine and phentolamine were investigated in 62 impotence patients. The picture of the corporeal blood taken from 15 psychogenic impotence patients (a control group) at 10 minutes after intracavernous injection when they showed full erections was arterial but there was pCO2 rise and pH drop compared to femoral artery blood taken simultaneously. As the erection lasted longer, significant gas changes of the cavernous blood began to appear (p<0.0001): increase in pCO2 and decrease in pO2 from 4 hours, decrease in pH from 5 hours, decrease in O2 saturation from 6 hours. Erections lasting for more than 16 hours showed significantly worse hypoxia (p<0.05). Therefore, to prevent hypoxia and metabolic acidosis, drug-induced prolonged erection would be better decompressed before it lasts for more than 4 hours.