We have recently shown the diagnostic value of new immunophenotype of blood endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) [CD45neg/CD34pos/CD144pos] and endothelial microparticles (EMPs) [CD45neg/CD144pos/Annexin V pos] in patients with arterial erectile dysfunction (AED); in particular, in patients with associated late onset hypogonadism and/or metabolic syndrome.
In addition we evaluated the effects of androgen replacement therapy, aerobic physical activity and tadalafil administration on these markers. Aim of this study was to evaluate the serum concentrations of EPCs and EMPs in a large cohort of patients with AED according to severity of cavernous arterial insufficiency evaluated by penile Doppler.
One hundred and twenty patients (58.0±6.0 years) with AED were enrolled in this study. Patients were classified into 3 groups based on value of peak systolic velocity (PSV). Group A: Thirty-seven patients with PSV < 25 cm/sec (severe arterial insufficiency). Group B: Forty patients with PSV between 25 and 29 cm/sec (moderate arterial insufficiency). Group C: Forty-three patients with PSV between 30 and 34 cm/sec (mild arterial insufficiency). Twenty patients (60.0±3.0 years) with psychogenic erectile dysfunction (PED) represented the control group. EPCs and EMPs blood concentrations were evaluated by flow cytometry.
Patients with AED had significantly higher blood pressure, triglycerides, homeostasis model assessment index of insulin resistance, cavernous artery acceleration time (AT) and intima-media thickness (IMT) than PED; whereas IIEF5 score, HDL-cholesterol, and cavernous artery PSV was lower than PED. Both EPCs and EMPs were significantly higher in patients with AED compared to patients with PED. Among three groups of patients with AED there were no significant differences relatively to metabolic parameters examined, but group A showed a significantly higher value of cavernous artery AT and IMT than group B and group C; finally group A showed serum concentrations of EPCs and EMPs significantly higher compared to other groups with AED.
Patients with AED showed worse metabolic parameters, cavernous artery parameters, and EPCs and EMPs compared to patients with PED. Among patients with AED, those with PSV < 25 cm/sec showed worse finding of endothelial dysfunction. This suggests that AED is an expression of endothelial damage and that this original immunophenotype of EPCs and EMPs may be considered predictors of endothelial dysfunction in patients with AED. Finally this study confirm the reliability of penile doppler evaluation integrated with these serum markers of endothelial dysfunction.
Written by:
Sandro La Vignera, Enzo Vicari, Rosita A. Condorelli, Luigi Di Pino, and Aldo E. Calogero. Are you the author?
Reference: J Androl. 2011 Aug 25. Epub ahead of print.
doi: 10.2164/jandrol.111.014712
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 21868743
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