-
Sexual Medicine Jun 2024The endothelial glycocalyx is an important barrier that protects the structure and function of endothelial cells. Androgen deficiency is a common factor that causes...
BACKGROUND
The endothelial glycocalyx is an important barrier that protects the structure and function of endothelial cells. Androgen deficiency is a common factor that causes structural and functional impairment of endothelial cells.
AIM
To investigate changes in the endothelial glycocalyx in the penile corpus cavernosum of the rat with low androgen status and its relationship with erection function.
METHODS
Eighteen 10-week-old Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 6 each): sham operation, castration, and castration + testosterone replacement. The maximum intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure of the penis was measured after modeling for 4 weeks. The expression levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), phospho-eNOS, syndecan 1, heparanase, and nitric oxide in penile cavernous tissue and the serum levels of heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, tumor necrosis factor α, and interleukin 6 were determined. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of the endothelial glycocalyx in penile tissue.
OUTCOMES
The thickness of the endothelial glycocalyx in the penile corpus cavernosum of castrated rats was significantly lower than that of the control group.
RESULTS
In the castrated rats, the endothelial glycocalyx thickness, syndecan 1 level, ratio of phospho-eNOS to eNOS, nitric oxide level, and maximum intracavernosal pressure/mean arterial pressure (3 V, 5 V) were significantly lower than those in the sham group ( < .05). The expression of heparanase and the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin 6 were significantly higher in the castrated group than in the sham group ( < .05).
CLINICAL TRANSLATION
Upregulating the expression of the endothelial glycocalyx in the penile corpus cavernosum may be a new method for treating erectile dysfunction caused by low androgen levels.
STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS
This study confirms that low androgen status promotes the breakdown of the endothelial glycocalyx. However, further research is needed to determine whether androgens are related to the synthesis of the endothelial glycocalyx.
CONCLUSION
Low androgen status may suppress the level of nitric oxide in the cavernous tissue of the penis via impairment of the endothelial glycocalyx, resulting in inhibited erection function in rats.
PubMed: 38883807
DOI: 10.1093/sexmed/qfae039 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024As an important gas signaling molecule, hydrogen sulfide (HS) affects multiple organ systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and genitourinary,... (Review)
Review
As an important gas signaling molecule, hydrogen sulfide (HS) affects multiple organ systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, digestive, and genitourinary, reproductive systems. In particular, HS not only regulates female reproductive function but also holds great promise in the treatment of male reproductive diseases and disorders, such as erectile dysfunction, prostate cancer, varicocele, and infertility. In this review, we summarize the relationship between HS and male reproductive organs, including the penis, testis, prostate, vas deferens, and epididymis. As lower urinary tract symptoms have a significant impact on penile erection disorders, we also address the potential ameliorative effects of HS in erectile dysfunction resulting from bladder disease. Additionally, we discuss the regulatory role of HS in cavernous smooth muscle relaxation, which involves the NO/cGMP pathway, the RhoA/Rho-kinase pathway, and K channel activation. Recently, various compounds that can alleviate erectile dysfunction have been reported to be at least partly dependent on HS. Therefore, understanding the role of HS in the male reproductive system may help develop novel strategies for the clinical treatment of male reproductive system diseases.
Topics: Hydrogen Sulfide; Humans; Male; Genitalia, Male; Animals; Erectile Dysfunction; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 38883604
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1377090 -
ELife Jun 2024Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects a significant proportion of men aged 40-70 and is caused by cavernous tissue dysfunction. Presently, the most common treatment for ED...
Erectile dysfunction (ED) affects a significant proportion of men aged 40-70 and is caused by cavernous tissue dysfunction. Presently, the most common treatment for ED is phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors; however, this is less effective in patients with severe vascular disease such as diabetic ED. Therefore, there is a need for development of new treatment, which requires a better understanding of the cavernous microenvironment and cell-cell communications under diabetic condition. Pericytes are vital in penile erection; however, their dysfunction due to diabetes remains unclear. In this study, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing to understand the cellular landscape of cavernous tissues and cell type-specific transcriptional changes in diabetic ED. We found a decreased expression of genes associated with collagen or extracellular matrix organization and angiogenesis in diabetic fibroblasts, chondrocytes, myofibroblasts, valve-related lymphatic endothelial cells, and pericytes. Moreover, the newly identified pericyte-specific marker, Limb Bud-Heart (Lbh) in mouse and human cavernous tissues, clearly distinguishing pericytes from smooth muscle cells. Cell-cell interaction analysis revealed that pericytes are involved in angiogenesis, adhesion, and migration by communicating with other cell types in the corpus cavernosum; however, these interactions were highly reduced under diabetic conditions. Lbh expression is low in diabetic pericytes, and overexpression of LBH prevents erectile function by regulating neurovascular regeneration. Furthermore, the LBH-interacting proteins (Crystallin Alpha B and Vimentin) were identified in mouse cavernous pericytes through LC-MS/MS analysis, indicating that their interactions were critical for maintaining pericyte function. Thus, our study reveals novel targets and insights into the pathogenesis of ED in patients with diabetes.
Topics: Male; Pericytes; Erectile Dysfunction; Single-Cell Analysis; Animals; Mice; Humans; Penis; Gene Expression Profiling; Transcriptome; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Single-Cell Gene Expression Analysis
PubMed: 38856719
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.88942 -
Eplasty 2024First described by Michal et al in 1972, penile revascularization for vasculogenic impotence and its outcomes has been scarcely reported in plastic surgery literature....
BACKGROUND
First described by Michal et al in 1972, penile revascularization for vasculogenic impotence and its outcomes has been scarcely reported in plastic surgery literature. Such injuries are often secondary to atherosclerosis of the distal internal pudendal, common penile or proximal cavernosal artery, or locoregional trauma. Various techniques have been described to restore blood flow to the cavernosal body.
METHODS
In this report, we review 2 cases of penile revascularization for arteriogenic erectile dysfunction at our level 1 trauma center in 2021-2022 completed by the senior author in conjunction with urology.
RESULTS
Both patients sustained pelvic crush injuries with resultant arteriogenic impotence minimally responsive to medical management with phosphodiesterase inhibitors and/or injection therapy. After thorough urologic and vascular workup, they underwent microsurgical revascularization of the penis utilizing the deep inferior epigastric arteries with anastomosis to the deep dorsal penile veins. Both patients demonstrated improvement in erectile dysfunction and were able to achieve sustained erection with adequate glans tumescence on minimal pharmacotherapy postoperatively. One patient noted ability to achieve penetration. Patient 1 experienced postoperative retention requiring Foley placement, and both patients experienced glans edema requiring additional urologic procedures (patient 1: dorsal slit, patient 2: completion circumcision).
CONCLUSIONS
Overall, we have demonstrated improvement of sexual function with the most common complication being prolonged penile edema requiring release of constriction by our urology colleagues. Additional research in the plastic surgery field is warranted to further refine the technique and improve outcomes.
PubMed: 38846509
DOI: No ID Found -
BMC Psychiatry May 2024This study aims to conduct an exhaustive evaluation of Vilazodone's safety in clinical application and to unearth the potential adverse event (AE) risks associated with...
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to conduct an exhaustive evaluation of Vilazodone's safety in clinical application and to unearth the potential adverse event (AE) risks associated with its utilization based on FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) database.
METHODS
This research employed data spanning from the first quarter of 2011 to the third quarter of 2023 from the FAERS database. Various signal detection methodologies, including the Reporting Odds Ratio (ROR), Proportional Reporting Ratio (PRR), Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network (BCPNN), and Empirical Bayesian Geometric Mean (EBGM), were utilized to ascertain the correlation between Vilazodone and specific AEs.
RESULTS
The study compiled a total of 17,439,268 reports of drug AEs, out of which 5,375 were related to Vilazodone. Through signal mining, 125 Preferred Terms (PTs) encompassing 27 System Organ Classes (SOCs) were identified. The findings indicated a higher prevalence among females and patients within the 45 to 65 age bracket. The principal categories of AEs included Psychiatric disorders, Nervous system disorders, and Gastrointestinal disorders, with prevalent incidents of Diarrhoea, Nausea, and Insomnia. Moreover, the study identified robust signals of novel potential AEs, notably in areas such as sleep disturbances (Sleep paralysis, Hypnagogic hallucination, Rapid eye movements sleep abnormal, Sleep terror, Terminal insomnia, Tachyphrenia), sexual dysfunctions (Female orgasmic disorder, Orgasm abnormal, Disturbance in sexual arousal, Spontaneous penile erection, Anorgasmia, Sexual dysfunction, Ejaculation delayed), and other symptoms and injuries (Electric shock sensation, Violence-related symptom, Gun shot wound).
CONCLUSION
Although Vilazodone presents a positive prospect in the management of MDD, the discovery of AEs linked to its use, particularly the newly identified potential risks such as sleep and sexual dysfunctions, necessitates heightened vigilance among clinicians.
Topics: Humans; Vilazodone Hydrochloride; Male; Female; Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; Middle Aged; United States; Adult; Aged; Databases, Factual; United States Food and Drug Administration; Young Adult; Adolescent; Bayes Theorem
PubMed: 38755677
DOI: 10.1186/s12888-024-05813-0 -
Translational Andrology and Urology Apr 2024Penile prosthetic devices are the standard treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) after failure of maximum medical therapy and conservative options. Several penile... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Penile prosthetic devices are the standard treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) after failure of maximum medical therapy and conservative options. Several penile lengthening procedures (PLPs) can be performed concurrently with penile prosthesis (PP) insertion in patients with severe ED, penile shortening, and/or Peyronie's disease to help combat negative emotional and psychological concerns from penile length loss with penile prosthetic device placement.
METHODS
An extensive, systematic literature review of the various pre-, intra-, and post-operative techniques that can be applied to preserve, restore or enhance penile length at the time of penile prosthetic implantation.
RESULTS
Numerous pre-operative and post-operative inflation protocols exists with vacuum erection devices and penile traction therapy. Intraoperative surgical techniques include cavernosal sparing and channeling without dilatation, subcoronal incision with circumferential penile degloving and grafting, the sliding technique, the modified sliding technique, the multiple-slit technique, the tunical expansion procedure (TEP), modified TEP, and the auxetic expansion procedure. These approaches can be meaningful to restore and/or preserve length for patients undergoing PP insertion.
CONCLUSIONS
PLPs can be performed by surgeons who have extensive penile reconstruction experience and have been trained to do these procedures, as there is significant risk to the patient and limitations to what can be expected. Each patient must be counseled in detail about the risks and benefits of these procedures and have their expectations managed as the average postoperative penile length recovery is around 3 cm and can range from 0-4.0 cm. Future research is needed to identify the appropriate candidate for each approach, and how much length gain the patient can expect.
PubMed: 38721300
DOI: 10.21037/tau-23-354 -
Translational Andrology and Urology Apr 2024Priapism is a rare condition characterized by persistent erection of the penis that lasts more than 4 hours in the absence of sexual stimulation and is associated with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Priapism is a rare condition characterized by persistent erection of the penis that lasts more than 4 hours in the absence of sexual stimulation and is associated with significant morbidity and complications, including erectile dysfunction and penile fibrosis. Surgical management of priapism can be extremely challenging. We herein provide a comprehensive review that aims to evaluate the role of penile prosthesis (PP) implantation in the management of priapism.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was performed using the following databases: PubMed, Embase, and Scopus to identify studies that evaluated the effectiveness of PP implantation in treating priapism and the long-term complications, outcomes, and patients' satisfaction rate.
RESULTS
Out of 717 English-language studies published between 2002 and 2022, 17 were chosen for this review. Majority of patients had a malleable PP (MPP) implant, either early or delayed after the priapism episode. Early placement (EP) of PP is widely defined between studies ranging from less than 72 hours, within 1 week, and within 3 weeks. Most common causes of priapism were sickle cell anemia (SCA), medication-induced, and idiopathic. Studies show a higher satisfaction rate ranging between 80% and 100%, with sexual intercourse achievement ranging between 64.2% and 100%. Based on the GRADE system, included studies rated as very low quality of evidence. Commonly reported complications that arise after PP procedures, include device infection, erosion, curvature, and mechanical malfunction, such as auto-inflation.
CONCLUSIONS
PP can be an effective treatment option for priapism, particularly in cases of ischemic priapism lasting more than 36 hours or recurrent priapism that is medically refractory. However, due to the very low quality of evidence, larger, well-designed studies are warranted where long-term outcomes, patients' satisfaction, and complications following priapism-related PP implantation are measured as endpoints.
PubMed: 38721288
DOI: 10.21037/tau-23-224 -
Archivos Espanoles de Urologia Apr 2024Plaque incision and grafting (PEG) is a primary surgical therapy for severe penile curvature in Peyronie's disease (PD); However, it can increase the risk of erectile... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Plaque incision and grafting (PEG) is a primary surgical therapy for severe penile curvature in Peyronie's disease (PD); However, it can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED), particularly in patients with pre-operative mild ED. Soft penile prosthesis (SPP) implantation is a viable treatment option in such cases. This study aims to compare the outcomes of PEG-only approach to PEG plus SPP implantation.
METHODS
Between 2010 and 2019, 32 patients with PD and mild ED (5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function scores: 17-21) underwent PEG surgery. Two groups were defined based on the surgery type: PEG-only and PEG plus SPP. The long-term outcomes included correction of penile bending, erection quality, intercourse ability, penile length and sensitivity. The overall satisfaction and impact of surgery on sexual activity and quality of life were also assessed.
RESULTS
Of the 32 patients, 13 (40.6%) underwent PEG-only surgery, whereas 19 (59.4%) underwent PEG plus SPP. No significant differences were noted between the groups regarding pre-operative characteristics (all > 0.1) or intra- and post-operative complication rates (all > 0.2). The median patch area was larger in the PEG-only group (28 cm vs. 16.2 cm; = 0.001), whereas patients in the PEG plus SPP group were more likely to receive a single patch implant (100% vs. 53.8%; < 0.001). The penile length increased in 18 patients (61.6%), with significant differences between the two groups (30% vs. 81.2%; = 0.03). Overall, 14 patients (53.8%) reported greater satisfaction with their sexual life post-operatively, with comparable rates between the groups ( = 0.2). No significant differences were found in the post-operative 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function scores or severe post-operative ED (all > 0.5).
CONCLUSIONS
SPP placement during corporoplasty in patients with mild ED is safe and feasible, and it may be a suitable option for patients uncertain about inflatable prosthesis placement. The use of SPP resulted in longer penile lengths and necessitated smaller grafts. However, further data are required to understand the long-term clinical implications of this approach.
Topics: Humans; Male; Penile Induration; Erectile Dysfunction; Penile Prosthesis; Middle Aged; Penile Implantation; Prosthesis Design; Severity of Illness Index; Retrospective Studies; Adult; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 38715168
DOI: 10.56434/j.arch.esp.urol.20247703.36 -
Archivio Italiano Di Urologia,... May 2024The erectile dysfunction (ED), which is the inability to achieve and/or sustain a penile erection sufficient to result in a satisfying sexual performance, represents a...
BACKGROUND
The erectile dysfunction (ED), which is the inability to achieve and/or sustain a penile erection sufficient to result in a satisfying sexual performance, represents a very common complaint. for men over forty years old. The aim of the study was to evaluate if Flat Magnetic Stimulation (FMS) technology could help individuals with symptomatic erectile dysfunction.
METHODS
Twenty patients with erectile dysfunction, underwent eight sessions of about 30 minutes each in a twice a week frequency with the study device. During treatments, every potential side effect was assessed. The International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) was compiled by all patients at the beginning, after the eighth treatment and at 1 month from the end of the last treatment. The questionnaire scores were presented as median values along with the interquartile range (IQR) and we set the significance threshold at 0.01.
RESULTS
After the treatment and at 1-month follow-up, the increase in questionnaire scores was statistically significant compared to the baseline, thus supporting the clinical usefulness of this treatment. In particular, the result of the study indicates a statistically significant difference between IIEF score before treatment (Median = 34) and IIEF score after the end of treatment (Median = 45) and between IIEF score before treatment and IIEF score at 1-month follow-up (Median = 54).
CONCLUSIONS
The study findings showed that FMS represents a promising treatment option to individuals affected by symptomatic erectile dysfunction.
PubMed: 38713081
DOI: 10.4081/aiua.2024.12506 -
Asian Journal of Urology Apr 2024Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition of insufficient penile erection, consistently or recurrently, for sexual activity. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) induces...
Tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-beta, degree of lower urinary tract symptoms as predictors of erectile dysfunction in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients.
OBJECTIVE
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a condition of insufficient penile erection, consistently or recurrently, for sexual activity. Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) induces transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), which causes the transition of epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells that affect ED. This study aimed to evaluate the roles of TNF-α, TGF-β, degree of lower urinary tract symptoms, and prostatic volume for the presence of ED in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) patients.
METHODS
Our study performed an analytic observational retrospective cohort study using secondary data from four hospitals in Bali, Indonesia, including medical records and other administrative data. The sample was BPH patients with several history qualifications.
RESULTS
Our sample was 83 respondents, ranging from 50 years to 80 years, 61 respondents with ED and 22 with non-ED. The International Prostate Symptom Score showed a significant result, which indicates that ED is more common in patients with higher International Prostate Symptom Score (=0.002). Moreover, the TNF-α of ≥43.9 pg/mg and TGF-β of ≥175.8 pg/mL were significantly associated with the presence of ED in BPH patients (<0.0001). Despite these results, prostate volume is not significant with ED (=0.947).
CONCLUSION
TNF-α, TGF-β, and lower urinary tract symptoms severity can predict the occurrence of ED in BPH, while prostatic volume was not significant.
PubMed: 38680590
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2023.07.003