Ontogenetic profile and thyroid hormone regulation of type-1 and type-8 glucose transporters in rat Sertoli cells.

The glucose transporters (GLUTs) gene encode glycoproteins responsible for facilitating transfer of glucose across plasma membrane. In testis, different members of this family are present. In particular the main GLUT mRNA expression within the adult testis is the type 8, while type 1 is more expressed in prepubertal testis.

Type V phosphodiesterase inhibitor treatments for erectile dysfunction increase testosterone levels.

Objective: Lack of sexual activity due to erectile dysfunction (ED) decreases testosterone (T) levels through a central effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. In this paper we studied the effect of different type V phosphodiesterase (PDE5) inhibitor treatments for ED on the reversibility of this endocrine pattern.

Design: Open-label, retrospective study.

Treatment of sexual dysfunctions secondary to male infertility with sildenafil citrate.

With the assumption that infertility and related diagnostic and therapeutic processes are stressful, an uncontrolled pilot study was designed to evaluate the effect of sildenafil citrate on sexual compliance and reproductive outcome. A group of sexually healthy men were studied after the administration of 50 mg sildenafil before semen collection for intrauterine artificial insemination (n = 25) or planned intercourse for a postcoital test (n = 12). We demonstrated that sexual dysfunction is highly prevalent in patients undergoing diagnostic procedures for infertility, and that sildenafil is effective in reversing stress-induced transitory impotence.

A prospective, randomized study using transdermal electromotive administration of verapamil and dexamethasone for Peyronie's disease.

Purpose: Uncontrolled studies with intraplaque electromotive administration of verapamil and dexamethasone have demonstrated objective improvements in Peyronie's disease. We performed a prospective controlled study to assess the efficacy of intraplaque electromotive verapamil/dexamethasone vs electromotive lidocaine.

Materials And Methods: Patients with Peyronie's disease were randomized into a study group (47 patients) and a control group (49 patients).

[Clinical and diagnostic approach to erectile dysfunction].

Erectile dysfunction (ED), defined as the inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection sufficiently long for a satisfactory sexual performance or intercourse, is an important and common medical problem. ED is not a life-threatening disorder, but it influences the daily routine, social interactions, well-being and quality of life of the patient. Recent epidemiological data have shown a high prevalence and incidence of ED.

Androgens regulate phosphodiesterase type 5 expression and functional activity in corpora cavernosa.

By real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, we found that phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) mRNA and protein abundance was several fold higher in human male than in female reproductive tracts. The highest mRNA level (>1 x 10(7) molecules/microg total RNA) was detected in human corpora cavernosa (CC), where PDE5 protein was immunolocalized in both muscular and endothelial compartment. The possible role of androgens in regulating PDE5 expression was studied using a previously established rabbit model of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

New perspectives in the pharmacotherapy of erectile dysfunction.

Current classification of pharmacological treatments for erectile dysfunction distinguishes between central and peripheral "initiators" and "conditioners" of erection. However, such taxonomy does not take into account the impact on the couple, the ultimate recipient of the treatment. For this reason, we propose here a new, couple-based sexological taxonomy, which divides pharmacotherapies into "harmonious" and "non-harmonious".

Type 5 phosphodiesterase expression in the human vagina.

Objectives: It has been demonstrated that clitoral and vaginal tissues express nitric oxide synthase isoforms in a way that parallels that of the penile corpus cavernosum. Considering the role of the vagina in the female sexual response and the anatomic connection between the clitoris and the anterosuperior vaginal wall, our aim was to study the distribution of type 5 phosphodiesterase (PDE5) in the anterosuperior wall of the human vagina.

Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed on the vaginal tissue of 14 women obtained at autopsy and on exfoliated cells of the vaginal epithelium obtained from 5 healthy female donors.

Expression of platelet-derived growth factor-A (PDGF-A), PDGF-B, and PDGF receptor-alpha and -beta during human testicular development and disease.

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays a critical role in regulating the development and functional control of various tissues and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of serious diseases, including cancer and atherosclerosis. Given the emerging role of PDGF in the development and function of male gonads, we compared the expression profiles of the mRNAs of the PDGF A- and B-chains and of the PDGF receptor (PDGFR) alpha- and beta-subunits in fetal and adult human testis. The immunohistochemical localization of the corresponding proteins in fetal, adult, and diseased human testicular tissues was also analyzed.