title: [Safety and efficacy of L-carnitine and tadalafil for late-onset hypogonadism with ED: a randomized controlled multicenter clinical trial].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the safety and effect of L-carnitine combined with tadalafil in the treatment of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) with erectile dysfunction (ED).
  
  
  METHODS
  We randomly divided 140 cases of LOH with ED aged 40 -70 years into a treatment and a control group to receive L-carnitine + tadalafil and testosterone undecanoate + tadalafil, respectively. After 8 weeks of treatment, we obtained the scores on IIEF-5 and Aging Male Symptoms (AMS), observed changes in the levels of sex hormones, analyzed the results of the routine blood test and PSA level, and evaluated the safety of medication.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Finally, 110 cases were included, 60 in the treatment group and 50 in the control. After 8 weeks of medication, the IIEF-5 and AMS scores were significantly improved as compared with the baseline both in the treatment group (17.7 +/- 3.5 vs 10.2 +/- 2.7 and 36.2 +/- 6.5 vs 48.8 +/- 5.8) and in the control group (16.7 +/- 2.6 vs 9.3 +/- 2.4 and 35.8 +/- 6.6 vs 50.7 +/- 5.0) (both P < 0.05), with no significant differences between the two groups (P > 0.05). As for the safety of medication, there were no significant differences between the two groups before and after treatment (P > 0.05). Two patients in the control group showed a PSA level > 4 microg/L, which was confirmed to be caused by prostatitis during follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  L-carnitine combined with tadalafil is safe and effective for the treatment of LOH with ED.
authors: Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China. weizhang818@gmail.com
authors: Wei
authors: W
authors: Zhang
authors: Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors: Peng
authors: P
authors: Li
authors: Department of Urology, No. 9 Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors: Zhi-Kang
authors: ZK
authors: Cai
authors: Department of Urology, No. 10 Hospital Affiliated to Tongji University, Shanghai 200072, China.
authors: Jun-Hua
authors: JH
authors: Zheng
authors: Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors: Ji-Can
authors: JC
authors: Dai
authors: Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors: Yi-Xin
authors: YX
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Urology, No. 9 Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200011, China.
authors: Zhong
authors: Z
authors: Wang
authors: Department of Urology, Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai 200127, China.
authors: Zheng
authors: Z
authors: Li
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002243:Carbolines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002331:Carnitine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007006:Hypogonadism / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068581:Tadalafil; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002243:Carbolines; D000068581:Tadalafil; D002331:Carnitine