Effects of tadalafil on platelets and endothelium in patients with erectile dysfunction and cardiovascular risk factors: a pilot study

Angiology. 2010 Aug;61(6):602-6. doi: 10.1177/0003319710362977. Epub 2010 Apr 14.

Abstract

Activation of endothelial cells and platelets is an initial step toward the development of cardiovascular disease. Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be an early manifestation of endotheliopathy. We evaluated the effects of tadalafil on cyclic nucleotides (cGMP and cAMP) and soluble adhesion molecules (E- and P-selectin [ES and PS]). The patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of the presence (10 patients) or absence (9 patients) of cardiovascular risk factors (dyslipidemia, hypertension, and smoking). Nitric oxide (NO) was unmeasurable in all the patients. Tadalafil administration induced a significant increase in cGMP levels in both groups (P < .01). In contrast, cAMP significantly increased (P < .05) and PS decreased (P < .01) only in patients without cardiovascular risk factors. Tadalafil induced a beneficial effect on platelet activation in patients with ED without cardiovascular risk factors; this effect was not mediated by NO.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects*
  • Carbolines / pharmacology*
  • Cyclic AMP / blood
  • Cyclic GMP / blood
  • Dyslipidemias / complications
  • E-Selectin / blood
  • E-Selectin / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Vascular / drug effects*
  • Erectile Dysfunction / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / complications
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nitric Oxide / blood
  • P-Selectin / blood
  • P-Selectin / drug effects
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / pharmacology*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Risk Factors
  • Smoking / adverse effects
  • Tadalafil

Substances

  • Carbolines
  • E-Selectin
  • P-Selectin
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Nitric Oxide
  • Tadalafil
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic GMP