title: Original immunophenotype of blood endothelial progenitor cells and microparticles in patients with isolated arterial erectile dysfunction and late onset hypogonadism: effects of androgen replacement therapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) and endothelial microparticles (EMPs) have been proposed as markers of endothelial dysfunction. Aim of this study was to evaluate an original immunophenotype of EPCs and EMPs in patients with isolated arterial erectile dysfunction (ED) and late onset hypogonadism (LOH) before and after androgen replacement therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty patients (50-64 years) with ED and LOH were selected. EPC (CD45(neg)/CD34(pos)/CD144(pos)) and EMP (CD45(neg)/CD34(neg)/CD144(pos)) blood concentrations were evaluated by flow cytometry. Thirty patients received androgen replacement therapy (Tostrex® ProStrakan) for 6 months (group A), other 20 patients not received androgen therapy for the contraindications in their clinical history (group B).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After 6 months, group B showed IIEF-5 score, peak systolic velocity and acceleration time significantly worse than group A; in addition EPCs and EMPs were significantly higher in group B compared to group A.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with isolated arterial ED and LOH not treated with androgen therapy showed worst vascular parameters measured by penile Doppler and higher EPCs and EMPs compared to treated hypogonadal patients, hence, LOH appears to be an additional vascular risk factor, and these markers may be considered as predictors of cavernous artery disease. Finally, androgen therapy improves endothelial dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Andrology and Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. sandrolavignera@email.it
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Vignera
authors.forename: Rosita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Condorelli
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: Rosario
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: D'Agata
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Calogero
mesh_terms: D017668:Age of Onset; D000728:Androgens / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D015415:Biomarkers; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000187:drug effects; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000276:immunology*; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D055018:Hemangioblasts / Q000276:immunology*; D020249:Hormone Replacement Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D016130:Immunophenotyping / Q000379:methods*; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D013739:Testosterone / Q000097:blood; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D000728:Androgens; D015703:Antigens, CD; D015415:Biomarkers; D013739:Testosterone