Authors: Norman E. Cameron,; Mary A. Cotter,

Source: Current Diabetes Reviews, Volume 3, Number 3, August 2007 , pp. 149-158(10)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Diabetes is a major risk factor for erectile dysfunction. The condition degrades both neural and vascular endothelium penile control systems. Experimental and epidemiological evidence suggest that both hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia contribute to the etiology. These are the driving forces for elevated oxidative stress and the formation of advanced glycation and lipoxygenation end products, the major target being the nitric oxide systems of nerve and endothelium. This causes reversible functional loss followed by less reversible degenerative changes. These mechanisms have direct effects, such as the nitric oxide quenching, but perhaps more importantly, indirect effects on the regulation of nitric oxide synthase expression and activity, which can involve recruitment of proinflammatory cell signaling pathways. The latter include protein kinase C, mitogen-activated kinases, and the nuclear factor κ B cascade. Diabetes also changes the trophic influences on nerve and endothelium. Together, these form potential therapeutic targets against diabetic erectile function, and indeed vascular disease in general.

Keywords: Corpus cavernosum; Erectile dysfunction; Diabetes; Endothelium; Neuropathy; Nitric oxide; Oxidative stress; Advanced glycation; Protein kinase C; Rho-kinase

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/157339907781368977

Publication date: 2007-08-01

More about this publication?

• Current Diabetes Reviews publishes frontier reviews on all the latest advances on diabetes and its related areas e.g. pharmacology, pathogenesis, complications, epidemiology, clinical care, and therapy.
  
  The journal's aim is to publish the highest quality review articles dedicated to clinical research in the field. The journal is essential reading for all researchers and clinicians who are involved in the field of diabetes.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Medicine ,  Medicine (General)
• By this author: Norman E. Cameron, ;  Mary A. Cotter,

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers