Pharmacology of erectile function and dysfunction.
Central regulation of the erectile process involves several transmitters, including dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, and nitric oxide, and peptides, such as oxytocin and ACTH/alpha-MSH. These systems may be targets for future drugs designed to treat erectile dysfunction. Peripherally, the different steps involved in neurotransmission, impulse propagation, and intracellular transduction of neural signals in penile smooth muscles need further investigation. Continued studies of the interactions between different transmitters/modulators may reveal new combination therapies. Increased knowledge of the changes in penile tissues associated with erectile dysfunction may explain the pathogenetic mechanisms and help to prevent the disorder.
Andersson
K E
KE
Department of Clinical Pharmacology, University of Lund, Lund, Sweden. Karl-Erik.Andersson@klinfarm.lu.s
D000818:Animals; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000494:pharmacology; D018491:Dopamine Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D016232:Endothelins / Q000494:pharmacology; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D014196:Trazodone / Q000494:pharmacology; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000187:drug effects / Q000494:pharmacology
D001058:Apomorphine; D018491:Dopamine Agonists; D016232:Endothelins; D011941:Receptors, Adrenergic; D011954:Receptors, Dopamine; D017466:Receptors, Endothelin; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; D014196:Trazodone; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide