Oral phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors: nonerectogenic beneficial uses.
BACKGROUND
Phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) hydrolyses cyclic guanylate monophosphate (cGMP) specifically to 5' GMP. PDE5 inhibitors were a breakthrough medication that addressed a previously unfulfilled medical need. They promoted vascular relaxation in the corpora cavernosa and penile erection during sexual stimulation. Sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil were approved then introduced as effective treatments for male erectile dysfunction. This impact has stimulated academic, clinical, and industrial research.


OBJECTIVE
To highlight the nonerectogenic beneficial uses of oral PDE5 inhibitors.


METHODS
A systematic review of published studies in this affair based on a Pubmed and medical subject heading databases search of all concerned articles.


METHODS
Demonstrated beneficial as well as applicable uses of oral PDE5 inhibitors.


RESULTS
As chemical molecules, these drugs were shown to exert potential nonerectogenic beneficial effects. They showed efficacy as a useful adjunct in the management of pulmonary hypertension. Additional uses were extended to different utilities: essential hypertension, benign prostatic hyperplasia, gastrointestinal disorders, endothelial dysfunction, female sexual dysfunction, genital blood flow, exercise capacity, Raynaud's phenomenon, sperm motility, etc.


CONCLUSIONS
Exploring PDE5 inhibitors for their possible medical applications in diverse specialties seems to be beneficial in making use of these molecules for the welfare of humanity.
Mostafa
Taymour
T
Andrology & Sexology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt. taymour1155@link.net