title: Propionyl-L-carnitine, L-arginine and niacin in sexual medicine: a nutraceutical approach to erectile dysfunction.
abstract: The application of nutraceuticals in the field of male sexual function -in particular for erectile dysfunction (ED)--remains relatively underexplored. In a group of 54 unselected men (35-75 years), consecutively presenting to our ED clinic and naive to other ED treatments, we carried out a single-blind, one-arm study to evaluate the effects of a 3-month supplementation with propionyl-L-carnitine, L-arginine and niacin on their sexual performance. All patients had the short-international index of erectile function (IIEF) questionnaire, global assessment questions (GAQs) and routine laboratory testing, at baseline and 3 months afterward. 51 (92%) patients of 54 completed the entire study period. After 3 months of treatment, a small, but statistically significant improvement in total and single items of the IIEF was found (Δ = 5.7 ± 4.1 P < 0.01). Analyses on GAQs revealed that treatment improved erections in 40% of cases, with a partial response occurring in up to 77% of subjects enrolled. These preliminary findings indicate that the favourable cardiovascular effects of nutraceuticals might also reflect on male sexual function with possible implication in the treatment and prevention of ED. This study documents a considerable patient's interest toward nutritional supplementation--as first-line or adjunctive treatment to PDE5 inhibitors--that goes beyond the measurable increment in penile rigidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, Pathophysiology Section, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gianfrilli
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lauretta
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Di Dato
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Graziadio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pozza
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: De Larichaudy
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giannetta
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Isidori
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lenzi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001120:Arginine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009525:Niacin / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: C003223:propionylcarnitine; D009525:Niacin; D001120:Arginine; D002331:Carnitine