title: Arterial erectile dysfunction and peripheral arterial disease: reliability of a new phenotype of endothelial progenitor cells and endothelial microparticles.
abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the blood concentrations of a  new immunophenotype of circulating late endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) and  endothelial microparticles (EMP) varies in patients with arterial erectile  dysfunction (aED) and abnormalities in other arterial districts. To accomplish  this, cavernous artery peak systolic velocity (PSV), acceleration time (AT),  and intima-media thickness (IMT) were determined after intracavernous  administration of alprostadil by echo-color Doppler in 80 consecutive patients  (age range, 50-75 years). Fifteen patients had aED alone (group A) and  served as controls; 22 had aED plus atheroma plaques and/or increased IMT of  the common carotid artery (group B); 20 had aED plus lower limb artery  abnormalities (group C); and 23 had aED plus carotid and lower limb artery  abnormalities (group D). EPC and EMP blood concentrations were evaluated by  flow cytometry. Blood mononuclear cells with the immunophenotype  CD45(neg)/CD34(pos)/CD144(pos) were defined as  EPCs, whereas CD45(neg)/CD144(pos)/annexin V(pos)  cells were defined as EMPs. Group B and C patients had a similar PSV, AT, and  IMT at the level of the cavernous arteries. Their PSV values were  significantly lower and mean values of AT and IMT significantly higher  compared with group A patients. Patients of group D had a significantly lower  PSV and significantly higher AT and IMT compared with all other groups. As far  as serum concentrations of EPCs and EMPs, group D patients had significantly  higher EPC and EMP mean values compared with all other groups. Group B and C  patients had similar EPC and EMP values. This study showed that a more  generalized peripheral atherosclerotic process is associated with a more  severe penile artery insufficiency and endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, this  study confirms the diagnostic reliability of the immunophenotype of EPCs and  EMPs chosen in the clinical practice.
authors.affiliation: Section of Endocrinology, Department of Medical and Pediatric Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosita A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Condorelli
authors.forename: Aldo E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Calogero
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: di Pino
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Giacone
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mongioì
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: la Vignera
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000527:Alprostadil; D059168:Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; D055252:Cell-Derived Microparticles; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010413:Penis / Q000098:blood supply; D058729:Peripheral Arterial Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D010641:Phenotype; D012307:Risk Factors; D013234:Stem Cells
chemical_list: D000527:Alprostadil