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Erectile dysfunction associates with endothelial dysfunction and raised proinflammatory cytokine levels in obese men

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Abstract

ABSTRACT. Erectile and endothelial dysfunction may have some shared pathways through a defect in nitric oxide activity. We evaluated associations between erectile function, endothelial function and markers of systemic vascular inflammation in 80 obese men, aged 35–55 yr, divided into two equal groups according to the presence/absence of erectile dysfunction. Compared with non-obese age-matched men [no.=50, body mass index (BMI)=24±1], obese men (all) had impaired indices of endothelial function as suggested by the reduced mean blood pressure and platelet aggregation responses to L-arginine, and higher circulating concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin- 18 (IL-18), as well as C-reactive protein (CRP). The mean erectile function score was 14±4 (range 7–19) in obese men with erectile dysfunction and 23.5±1 (range 22–25) in obese men without erectile dysfunction. Endothelial function showed a greater impairment in impotent obese men as compared with potent obese men. The mean blood pressure and platelet aggregation decreases following Larginine were -1.5±1.1 mmHg and -1.1±1.2%, respectively, in obese men with erectile dysfunction, and -3.4±1.2 mmHg and -5.6±2.1%, respectively, in obese men without erectile dysfunction (p<0.01). Circulating CRP levels were significantly higher in obese men with erectile dysfunction as compared with obese men without erectile dysfunction (p<0.05). Erectile function score was positively associated with mean blood pressure responses to L-arginine and negatively associated with BMI, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and CRP. Erectile and endothelial dysfunction associate in obese men and may contribute to their raised cardiovascular risk through impaired nitric oxide availability elicited by a low-grade inflammatory state.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chair of Urology, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Italy

    F. Giugliano & M. D’Armiento

  2. Center for Obesity Management, Department of Geriatrics and Metabolic Diseases, Policlinico Universitario, Piazza L. Miraglia, 80138, Napoli, Italia

    K. Esposito, C. Di Palo, M. Ciotola, R. Marfella & D. Giugliano D. Giugliano, MD, PhD

  3. Chair of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy

    G. Giugliano

Authors
  1. F. Giugliano
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  2. K. Esposito
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  3. C. Di Palo
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  4. M. Ciotola
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  5. G. Giugliano
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  6. R. Marfella
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  7. M. D’Armiento
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  8. D. Giugliano D. Giugliano, MD, PhD
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Correspondence to D. Giugliano D. Giugliano, MD, PhD.

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Giugliano, F., Esposito, K., Di Palo, C. et al. Erectile dysfunction associates with endothelial dysfunction and raised proinflammatory cytokine levels in obese men. J Endocrinol Invest 27, 665–669 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03347500

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