Exercise Training Plus Sildenafil Treatment: Role on Autonomic and Inflammatory Markers.

The current study aimed to determine the effects of sildenafil-associated aerobic exercise training (ET) on the physical performance, hemodynamic, autonomic and inflammatory parameters of rats. Male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to: sedentary rats placebo-treated (SP); sedentary rats sildenafil-treated (SS); trained rats placebo-treated (TP); and trained rats sildenafil-treated (TS). Sildenafil treatment consisted of 8 weeks of daily oral gavage (1.5 mg/kg), one hour before the session of ET (60-75% of maximal running speed, 5 days/week, for 8 weeks). After ET period, physical capacity, hemodynamic, autonomic and skeletal muscle inflammatory profile were assessed. Chronic sildenafil treatment causes an additional increase of physical capacity in aerobically trained rats. However, these beneficial effects were accompanied by unwanted alterations, as increased of arterial pressure and peripheral sympathetic modulation, as well as exacerbated inflammatory status on skeletal muscle of rats. Taken together, these data suggest the positive and negative effects of sildenafil chronic administration, associated to aerobic ET, at doses used in clinical practice. This report stresses the importance of paying greater attention to the indiscriminate use of this substance in high-performance sports.

Physical activity on endothelial and erectile dysfunction: a literature review.

Physical inactivity, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking and obesity were associated with imbalance in oxidative stress, leading to endothelial dysfunction. Such dysfunction is present in both cardiovascular disease (CVD) and erectile dysfunction (ED). ED is the persistent inability to achieve or sustain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance and is one of the first manifestations of endothelial damage in men with CVD risk factors. The purpose of this article is to review the results of studies involving physical activity, CVD, endothelial dysfunction and ED in order to verify its applicability for improving the health and quality of life of men with such disorders. There is consistent evidence that endothelial damage is intimately linked to ED, and this manifestation seems to be associated with the appearance CVDs. On the other hand, physical activity has been pointed out as an important clinical strategy in the prevention and treatment of CVDs and ED mainly associated with improvement of endothelial function. However, further experimental and clinical prospective investigations are needed to test the role of physical exercises in the modulation of endothelial function and their implications on erectile function and the appearance of CVDs.

Sildenafil: two decades of benefits or risks?

Sildenafil is a selective inhibitor of cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-specific phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE-5). A patent was registered for this drug in 1990, which expired in 2010. Since expiration, the drug has been marketed under various trade names or as generic drugs. Numerous clinical trials have been conducted addressing the effectiveness of the drug for erectile dysfunction (ED) and its safety regarding the presence or absence of specific comorbidities. After over 20 years in the market, we need to ask: has the scientific community reached a general consensus as to the overall efficacy and safety of the drug? Can we firmly state that the benefits of the drug outweigh its risks? This review suggests that sildenafil is an effective and easily manageable treatment for erectile dysfunction, both in the absence and in the presence of comorbidities. After two decades of the emergence of sildenafil as a drug of choice for the treatment of ED (and the numerous studies and clinical trials undertaken during this time span), it is now possible to state that the benefits of the drug do outweigh the risks, and represent an significant improvement in the quality of life in men with ED.

Survey of moniliformin in corn cultivated in the state of São Paulo and in corn products commercialized in the city of Campinas, SP

Moniliformin, a toxin produced by Fusarium, was investigated in 22 samples of corn, 17 coming from districts of the state of São Paulo and 4 from experimental plots of the Campinas Institute of Agronomy, Brazil. The toxin was also investigated in 68 samples of corn products commercialized in Campinas, SP. Moniliformin was not detected in any sample.