Endothelial dysfunction as a commom link between erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: Introduction: Due to the increasing prevalence of obesity metabolic syndrome is considered the most important public health threat of the 21th century.Recently it was observed that this syndrome is associated with erectile dysfunction which affects up to 100 million men worldwide and is an important cause of decreased quality of life.Purpose: The purpose of this review is to synthesize evidence concerning the connection of erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome.An overview will be given on the role of endothelium in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction and metabolic syndrome as well as the links between them.It will also be highlighted the importance of erectile dysfunction as a sentinel symptom in patients with occult cardiovascular disease.Evidence synthesis: The basic mediator of penile erection is nitric oxide, so the deficiency of this mediator when there is an endothelial dysfunction can lead to erectile dysfunction.Endothelial dysfunction can be due to various risk factors namely the components of the metabolic syndrome which increase generation of reactive oxygen species then reducing vascular nitric oxide bioavailability.So the common link between erectile dysfunction and the metabolic syndrome is the endothelium dysfunction.Given the smaller diameter and the higher relative percentage of endothelial and smooth muscle cells in the penile arteries compared to other arteries such as the coronaries, erectile dysfunction is now seen as an early sign for cardiovascular diseases.Conclusion: Pathologies like atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and erectile dysfunction are not disparate and require an integral approach.Erectile dysfunction rather than a disease in itself is a manifestation of pathologies of the biological systems involved in erectile function, so it can be looked at as a symptom of underlying disease, which might help diagnose early cardiovascular disease.
DOI: 10.34626/yprb-dp22
Author: Gomes, Blandina Miranda Coelho
Language: English
Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2148515742