Erectile Dysfunction :: Daily dosing of sildenafil in type 2 diabetic men with erectile dysfunction

It is known that erectile dysfunction (ED), particularly in diabetic men, is often characterized by increased oxidative stress and decreased endothelial function.

Johns Hopkins researchers investigated whether daily long-term sildenafil treatment can provide vasculoprotective effects in these patients in a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled two-arm study.

Using a group of 300 men with documented ED and type 2 diabetes mellitus, researchers measured serum biomarkers for endothelial function (cyclic guanosine monophosphate, or cGMP) and oxidative stress (8 isoprostane). Inflammatory cytokines were measured using Bio-Plex suspension array sytem assays for interleukin-6 and interleukin-8. Erectile dysfunction was measured based on affirmative responses to question 4 of the Sexual Health Inventory-Male which asks about a patient?s ability to maintain an erection for sexual intercourse.

Endothelial function increased and oxidative stress decreased in the treatment group with no significant change noted in the placebo group. Erectile function improved in the treatment group with 22.8 percent at baseline and 58.2 percent at four weeks. Statistically significant change was not observed in the placebo group with 27.8 percent at baseline vs 30.7 percent at four weeks.