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Cardiovascular Research 1999 43(3):658-665; doi:10.1016/S0008-6363(99)00135-2
© 1999 by European Society of Cardiology
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Copyright © 1999, European Society of Cardiology

Nitric oxide and penile erection: Is erectile dysfunction another manifestation of vascular disease?

Mark E. Sullivana,b, Cecil S. Thompsonb, Michael R. Dashwoodb, Masood A. Khana,b, Jamie Y. Jeremyc, Robert J. Morgana and Dimitri P. Mikhailidisb,*

aDepartments of Urology, Royal Free and University College Medical School (Royal Free campus) & The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK
bMolecular Pathology & Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free and University College Medical School (Royal Free campus) & The Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG, UK
cBristol Heart Institute, Bristol Royal Infirmary, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +44-171-7940-500 (Ext. 3481); fax: +44-171-7949-537

There is convincing evidence that the prevalence of erectile dysfunction is increased among men with ischaemic heart disease. This association may be attributed to the fact that both erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease share similar risk factors (e.g. hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and smoking). Nitric oxide (NO) activity is adversely affected, in penile and vascular tissue, by these risk factors. It is therefore not surprising that a defect in NO activity is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of both erectile dysfunction and ischaemic heart disease. We consider this evidence and propose that defective NO activity provides a unifying explanation for the association between these two conditions. Further research in this area may improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases as a whole.

KEYWORDS Nitric oxide; Erectile dysfunction; Diabetes mellitus; Hypercholesterolaemia; Hypertension; Cardiovascular risk factors; Endothelin


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