title: [Platelets and erectile dysfunction].
abstract: Platelets, small pieces of cytoplasm with biological activity, split and fall off the megakaryocytes and mature from the bone marrow. After stimulated, platelets produce nitric oxide to inhibit their own activation and aggregation. Pathologically, the injury of endothelial cells activates platelets and changes their functions. The release of inflammatory mediators and cytokines induces and enhances the development and progression of atherosclerosis, and thereby promotes the occurrence of erectile dysfunction. Besides, platelets and their related functional parameters may serve as important indicators in the diagnosis and treatment of erectile dysfunction.
authors.forename: Rui
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000209:etiology*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D042783:Endothelial Cells; D007172:Erectile Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015539:Platelet Activation
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D009569:Nitric Oxide