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Endothelial dysfunction in diabetic erectile dysfunction

International Journal of Impotence Research volume 19, pages 129–138 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is highly prevalent in diabetes mellitus. Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying diabetes-associated ED are in large part due to endothelial dysfunction, which functionally refers to the inability of the endothelium to produce vasorelaxing messengers and to maintain vasodilation and vascular homeostasis. The precise mechanisms leading to endothelial dysfunction in the diabetic vasculature, including the penis, are not yet fully understood. Hyperglycemia affects endothelial nitric oxide synthase activity and nitric oxide production/bioavailability, nitric oxide-independent relaxing factors, oxidative stress, production and/or action of hormones, growth factors and/or cytokines, and generation and activity of opposing vasoconstrictors. Considering recent advances in the field of vascular biology and diabetes, the emphasis in this review is placed on the mechanisms of hyperglycemia-induced endothelial dysfunction in the pathophysiology of diabetes-associated ED.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by NIH/NIDDK Grants DK 02568 and DK 067223 (to ALB) and NKF-Maryland Professional Development Award (to BM).

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  1. Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins University, SOM, Baltimore, MD, USA

    B Musicki & A L Burnett

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  1. B Musicki
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  2. A L Burnett
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Correspondence to B Musicki.

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Musicki, B., Burnett, A. Endothelial dysfunction in diabetic erectile dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 19, 129–138 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijir.3901494

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