Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common problem, for which PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5I) represent the first line therapy at present and have a success rate of approximately 80%.
Refractory ED, which refers to ED in some patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases or in those treated by radical prostatectomy, receives little benefit from PDE5I alone. Apart from the NO-cGMP pathway, the processes of erection and ED involve several signaling pathways, such as RhoA/Rho kinase, H2S, CO, etc. The complicated signaling network contributes to the pathogenesis of refractory ED. PDE5I-based alternative therapy and combined therapy may increase the success rate of its treatment. This article outlines the advances in the studies of refractory ED that fails to respond to PDE5I.
Written by:
Wang BY, Jiang R. Are you the author?
Department of Urology, The Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou, Sichuan 646000, China.
Reference: Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue. 2013 Jan;19(1):82-5.
PubMed Abstract
PMID: 23469669
Article in Chinese.
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