New research into urologic conditions - such as erectile dysfunction - indicate that these disorders could be associated with or precursors to more serious conditions, and suggest a need for practitioners to view these diseases in the greater context of total health as opposed to isolated disorders. A special session highlighting the association on urologic diseases with non-urologic conditions such as heart disease and metabolic syndrome was presented during the 102nd Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association. A special session for the media was moderated by Marshall L. Stoller, M.D.

ENDOTHELIAL DYSFUNCTION AND OXIDATIVE STRESS ASSOCIATED WITH THE METABOLIC SYNDROME CAN BE REVERSED BY A CHRONIC TREATMENT WITH SILDENAFIL (Abstract 686)

Metabolic syndrome is characterized by a number of conditions, including elevated blood pressure, excess body fat around the waist and insulin resistance. Many patients with these conditions also exhibit endothelial dysfunction with increases in oxidative stress and decreases in nitric oxide production - which has been related to erectile dysfunction (ED). Researchers from France explored whether treatment with sildenafil citrate - a common pharmacologic treatment for Erectile Dysfunction - could improve endothelial dysfunction in a rat model.

Researchers administered sildenafil to fructose-fed rats to achieve plasma concentrations known to give efficacy in men and observed endothelial function and oxidative stress in the animals during treatment and one-week after treatment had been stopped. It was observed that chronic sildenafil treatment improved endothelial function and oxidative stress, suggesting that this treatment could be a benefit for cardiovascular indications as well as erectile dysfunction.

ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION AND CORONARY HEART DISEASE (Abstract 864)

Research has shown a connection between erectile dysfunction (ED) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men, and has established a need to consider one a precursor to the other. Researchers further evaluated the association of these two conditions and whether the association could be age-related.

A random sample of men from the Olmsted County population was evaluated by questionnaire, and community medical records of the subjects were examined. Logistical regression models examined the associations between ED and CVD. Men with CVD were 4.2 times more likely to have ED than men without heart disease. The results underscore a need to consider sexual function in men with heart disease and CVD in men with ED.

Source: Medicalnewstoday

Erectile Dysfunction Drug Shows Promise in Animal Study. New research suggests the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra may have unexpected benefits for weary travelers. The little blue pill known for making time in the bed more enjoyable may also help weary jet travelers roll out of it in the morning.

New research shows Viagra may be the solution for travelers who suddenly find themselves needing to rise hours earlier as they cross time zones, at least if those travelers are hamsters.

A study at the Universidad Nacional de Quilmes in Buenos Aires showed that male hamsters who received an injection of sildenafil along with a 15-minute stimulation of light were able to adjust their internal clocks by six hours in roughly half the time that hamsters who did not receive the treatment took.

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in the erectile dysfunction drug Viagra.

Because humans and mammals have similar daily cycles, “there’s no reason not to believe it should work in humans,” said Diego Golombek, the lead investigator on the study.

At the same time, because the test was only done in animals, Golombek urged restraint for people thinking of trying it out.

“This is a study in laboratory animals, and clinical trials should be undertaken before deciding whether Viagra is a useful and safe treatment for those situations,” he said.

Rise and Shine

Sildenafil works by sustaining a molecule that increases blood flow. Because that signaling molecule is sensitive to light, Golombek said, increasing its quantity makes the system more responsive to a change in patterns of light and dark.

At the same time, the researchers found that sildenafil citrate was useful only for simulations of eastward travel. They found it ineffective when lengthening days to simulate travel westward.

While other treatments exist for jet lag, Golombek said that his research presents a novel approach to the problem — using what is “generally a safe drug.”

Viagra, he said, has been heavily studied for safety and effectiveness, so setting up a clinical trial “should be quite straightforward.”

Source: ABC News

It's research that may have you thinking twice before upgrading to the large size at your favorite fast food joint. Saint Louis University research presented this week in Washington, D.C., shows the dangers of high-fat food combined with high fructose corn syrup and a sedentary lifestyle in other words, what may be becoming commonplace among Americans........