[Updated cytokine therapy of erectile dysfunction].

Four types of cytokines are found to be related to the pathogenesis and treatment of ED. The cytokines capable of promoting angiogenesis can improve vascular endothelial function, promote endothelial regeneration and thus improve erectile function, those capable of promoting nerve regeneration can improve erectile function by protecting cavernous nerves, those capable of protecting the smooth muscle function can improve erectile function by promoting the smooth muscle expression and inhibiting penile fibrosis, and those inflammation-related cytokines can induce penile erection by acting on the corresponding receptor relaxing smooth muscle. Compared with PDE-5 inhibitors, cytokines are more targeted for the treatment of ED.