title: Circulating endothelial progenitor cells and endothelial microparticles in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome.
abstract: Blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and microparticles (EMP) have been  proposed as markers of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this study was to  evaluate both EPCs and EMPs in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction  (ED) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). To accomplish this, 100 patients (ages  45-60 years) with ED and MetS (Adult Treatment Panel III [ATP III] 1999  criteria) and 17 healthy men (ages 44-57 years) were selected. EPC  (CD45(neg)/CD34(pos)/CD144(pos)) and EMP  (CD45(neg)/CD144(pos)/Annexin V(pos)) blood  concentrations were evaluated by flow cytometry, before and after  administration of tadalafil (20 mg) on demand for 3 months. Before treatment,  EPCs and EMPs were significantly higher in patients compared with healthy men.  EPCs increased significantly after tadalafil administration, whereas EMPs did  not differ significantly. EPCs correlated positively or negatively with body  mass index and with some cavernous artery indices, both before and after  tadalafil administration. EMPs showed only positive correlations with body  mass index and some cavernous artery indices, both before and after tadalafil  administration. Patients with arterial ED and MetS have higher EPCs and EMPs  compared with healthy men; hence, these cells may be regarded as markers of  cavernous artery dysfunction. Tadalafil administration increased EPCs but not  EMPs, suggesting that this compound may play a role in the endothelial repair  response.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Andrology, and Internal Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases, Catania University, Policlinico G. Rodolico, S Sofia 78th St, Bldg 4, Rm 2C82, 95123 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 E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Calogero
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002243:Carbolines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010410:Penile Erection / Q000187:drug effects; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D000068581:Tadalafil; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D002243:Carbolines; D058986:Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors; D000068581:Tadalafil