Androgens improve cavernous vasodilation and response to sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction.
OBJECTIVE
We have recently shown that, in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), free testosterone (FT) directly correlates with penile arterial inflow. This led us to further investigate the effect(s) of androgen administration on cavernous arteries in patients failing sildenafil treatment.


METHODS
Prospective randomized placebo-controlled pilot study.


METHODS
Twenty patients with arteriogenic ED as evaluated by dynamic colour duplex ultrasound (D-CDU) studies, normal sexual desire but testosterone (T) and FT in the lower quartile of normal range (low-normal), not responding to sildenafil treatment (100 mg) on six consecutive attempts.


METHODS
All patients had D-CDU, hormonal [LH, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), total and free testosterone, sex hormone-binding protein (SHBG), oestradiol], biochemical [haematocrit, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides], and sexual evaluations [International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF)] before and after 1 month of therapy with transdermal testosterone (5 mg/day, n = 10) or placebo along with sildenafil treatment on demand. Measurement of flow parameters by D-CDU on cavernous arteries was the primary endpoint of the study. Improvement of erectile function was assessed using the IIEF questionnaire and the Global Assessment Question (GAQ).


RESULTS
One month treatment with transdermal testosterone led to a significant increase in T and FT levels (23.7 +/- 3.3 SD vs. 12.8 +/- 2.1 nmol/l and 473 +/- 40.2 vs. 260 +/- 18.1 pmol/l, P < 0.01, respectively). In addition testosterone administration induced a significant increase in arterial inflow to cavernous arteries measured by D-CDU (32 +/- 3.6 vs. 25.2 +/- 4 cm/s, P < 0.05), with no adverse effects. Also, a significant improvement in erectile function domain score at IIEF was found in the androgen but not in the placebo-treated patients (21.8 +/- 2.1 vs. 14.4 +/- 1.4, P < 0.05) which was associated with significant changes in the GAQ score (80%vs. 10%, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with arteriogenic ED and low-normal androgen levels, short-term testosterone administration increases T and FT levels and improves the erectile response to sildenafil likely by increasing arterial inflow to the penis during sexual stimulation.
Aversa
Antonio
A
AFaR-CRCCS, Ospedale Fatebenefratelli Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy. antonio.aversa1@fastwebnet.it
Isidori
Andrea M
AM
Spera
Giovanni
G
Lenzi
Andrea
A
Fabbri
Andrea
A
D000368:Aged; D000728:Androgens / Q000097:blood; D001158:Arteries; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010879:Piperazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011687:Purines; D012039:Regional Blood Flow / Q000187:drug effects; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate; D013450:Sulfones; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects*; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000728:Androgens; D010879:Piperazines; D011687:Purines; D013450:Sulfones; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D013739:Testosterone; D000068677:Sildenafil Citrate