title: Increased expression of endothelial-platelet dysfunctional pathway in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Pathophysiological externalization of specific substances belonging to the vessel wall (after endothelial injury), usually not in contact with the blood (subintimal area) is the signal which is captured by surface receptor platelet's results in their adhesion. There are no studies that have so far examined the expression of these receptors in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction (ED). The aim of this study was to assess by flow cytometry, serum concentration of apoptotic endothelial microparticles (EMPa) and vitronectin receptor (VR) in a selected series of patients with arterial ED and without apparent other sistemic arterial involvement.
  
  
  METHODS
  Evaluated consecutively 50 selected patients with arterial ED-based (mean IIEF-5 score of 6.3±0.3 and mean peak systolic velocity of 24.5±0.6 cm/s). Evaluation of EMPa and VR was conducted using a flow cytometer. The events CD45neg-CD144pos-annexinVpos were defined EMPa, while events CD51pos-CD61pos-CD41neg were defined VR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with arterial ED had a serum baseline concentrations of circulating EMPa (12.2±2.2% vs. 1.8±0.4%) and VR (7.4±1.2% vs. 1.2±0.2%) significantly higher than control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study shows that patients with arterial ED had an increased expression of endothelial apoptosis and initial platelet adhesion.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Andrology and Internal Medicine, Human Reproduction and Biotechnological Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine and Systemic Diseases, University of Catania, Catania, Italy. sandrolavignera@email.it
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: La Vignera
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D018783:Impotence, Vasculogenic / Q000097:blood / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3 / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010718:Phosphatidylserines / Q000097:blood; D010973:Platelet Adhesiveness; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
chemical_list: D039302:Integrin alphaVbeta3; D010718:Phosphatidylserines