title: Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors: a biochemical and clinical correlation survey.
abstract: Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE 5) is the major cGMP hydrolyzing enzyme in penile corpus cavernosum and is an important regulator of nitric oxide-mediated smooth muscle relaxation. The critical role of PDE 5 in penile erection and the recent availability of specific and potent inhibitors of PDE 5 have enabled the development of effective oral treatment strategies that have been widely accepted by both health-care professionals and the lay public. This article examines the correlation between the available biochemical and clinical data for the PDE 5 inhibitors sildenafil (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis) and vardenafil (Levitra).
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Institute for Sexual Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA. nnkim@bu.edu
authors.forename: N N
authors.initials: NN
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D010726:Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D015106:3',5'-Cyclic-GMP Phosphodiesterases; D054706:Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5; C517381:PDE5A protein, human