Tadalafil, a further innovation in the treatment of sexual dysfunction.

In recognition of the large number of sufferers of sexual dysfunction worldwide, and the variety of etiologies of the condition, investigation into effective pharmacological agents has been expanded. One method of intervention is inhibition of the phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) enzyme, which has already been exploited with a considerable degree--though not complete--success. A number of new agents that inhibit PDE5 are under development.

Clinical follow-up after subinguinal varicocele ligation to treat pain.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of surgical treatment in patients with chronic orchialgia associated with varicocele and those for whom conservative treatment (jockstrap, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and restricted physical activity) was not effective. The response to spermatic vein ligation performed subinguinally with local anaesthesia was assessed in 25 patients with chronic testicular pain and varicocele as the only associated causal factor. Patient age, grade (according to Doppler study) and location of the varicocele, duration and degree of pain, response to treatment using an analogous pain scale pre- and post-surgery and complications pre- and post-surgery were recorded.

Regulation of human penile smooth muscle tone by prostanoid receptors.

We have characterized the prostanoid receptors involved in the regulation of human penile arterial and trabecular smooth muscle tone. Arachidonic acid induced relaxation of human corpus cavernosum strips (HCCS) that was blocked by the cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, indomethacin, and augmented by the thromboxane receptor (TP) antagonist, SQ29548, suggesting that endogenous production of prostanoids regulates penile smooth muscle tone. TP-receptors mediate contraction of HCCS and penile resistance arteries (HPRA), since the agonist of these receptors, U46619, potently contracted HCCS (EC50 8.