title: Topical prostaglandin-E1 for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
abstract: This study was undertaken as a phase I, placebo controlled, nonblinded investigation of the safety and efficacy of topical prostaglandin-E1 for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Nine men with erectile dysfunction secondary to spinal cord injury and 1 man with mild arterial insufficiency were enrolled in the trial and underwent color flow Doppler ultrasound of the penis after application of topical prostaglandin-E1 to the penis, scrotum and perineum. Eight men completed all phases of the study. Mean cavernous artery diameter increased from 0.09 to 0.11 cm. (p < 0.05) and mean peak systolic flow velocity increased from 15.4 to 22.8 cm. per second (p < 0.05) using color flow Doppler ultrasound. Peak systolic flow velocity increased in both cavernous arteries in 7 of 10 patients. Clinical erections were observed in 2 patients but they were not present with placebo application. Diastolic blood pressure and heart rate varied after application of prostaglandin-E1 to the genitalia. No patient was symptomatic and no adverse skin effects were observed in the 8 patients completing all phases of the study. In conclusion, topical prostaglandin-E1 appears to be safe and well tolerated after application to the genitalia, and significantly increases blood flow to the penis. Further investigation is being pursued.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: K T
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: McVary
mesh_terms: D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000328:Adult; D000527:Alprostadil / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D000527:Alprostadil