title: Pioglitazone prevents cavernosal nerve injury after radical prostatectomy.
abstract: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common consequence of radical prostatectomy (RP) and can affect a man's long-term quality of life. Intraoperative manipulation of the neurovascular bundle causes neuropraxia with resultant fibrosis and trabecular smooth-muscle damage. Pioglitazone is an anti-diabetic agent with recognized antifibrotic and vasculoprotective properties, which can protect smooth muscle function. We hypothesize that post-RP pioglitazone therapy can help preserve erectile function.
authors: Tulane University Medical Center, Department of Urology, New Orleans, LA, United States.
authors: Louis A
authors: LA
authors: Aliperti
authors: Tulane University Medical Center, Department of Urology, New Orleans, LA, United States. Electronic address: whellst@tulane.edu.
authors: Wayne J G
authors: WJ
authors: Hellstrom
mesh_terms: D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005355:Fibrosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000473:pathology; D010413:Penis / Q000187:drug effects*; D000077205:Pioglitazone; D011467:Prostate / Q000601:surgery; D011468:Prostatectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D011788:Quality of Life; D045162:Thiazolidinediones / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D045162:Thiazolidinediones; D000077205:Pioglitazone