Chronic Lead Exposure May be Associated with Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract

Introduction Heavy metals constitute significant potential threats to human health in both occupational and environmental settings. Research examining the etiology of lead toxicity-induced hypertension reveals that the free radical production and lowering of inherent antioxidant reserves resulting from lead toxicity are directly related to vasoconstriction underlying lead-induced hypertension. A similar mechanism would affect smooth muscle relaxation in the cavernous tissue leading to erectile dysfunction (ED). Aim Is to study the possible hazardous effect of chronic lead exposure on the erectile function, and to document the deposition of lead in the cavernous tissue. Methods The study group consisted of 34 men with ED, consecutively scheduled for penile implant insertion at Cairo University Hospital, as well as 15 controls. We determined the blood lead level for the two groups by the use of atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Sixteen of the 34 patients, and none of the 15 controls, had elevated lead serum levels (above 25 [g/dL]). Main Outcome Measures We estimated the levels of two reactive oxygen species (ROS) and four antioxidants in peripheral blood for the two groups. At the time of penile implant insertion, we prepared cavernous tissue paraffin sections stained with Mallory–Parker stain to study lead deposition. We also prepared ultrathin sections for electron microscopy. We estimated cavernous tissue lead level. Results The ED group had significantly higher blood lead level when compared with the control group. A significant positive correlation was found between the blood lead level and cavernous tissue lead level of the ED group. Individuals with high blood lead had significantly higher levels of serum ROS and significantly lower levels of serum antioxidants, compared with those having low blood lead. Histological sections from patients with high blood lead showed deposition of grayish lead granules in the cavernous tissue. Conclusions Chronic lead exposure may be associated with ED.

Erectile dysfunction and depression in patients with chronic lead poisoning

“…Smoking was presented as a significant risk factor for ED by Elbendary et al (2009) in their comparison of 434 patients with ED and 272 patients as controls under 40 years old, and a negative correlation between smoking index and IIEF-5 scores of patients with ED was detected. Some studies suggested cut-off values between 20 and 30 lg dl À1 and these studies accepted lead intoxication as over these values (Murata et al, 1993;Sokas et al, 1997;Lustberg & Silbergeld, 2002;Anis et al, 2007). In our study, the mean age was under 40 years old and smoking was a risk factor for ED in both groups of patients.…”

“…Ghazi-Khansari et al (1997) reported that lead intoxication reduced bromocriptine-induced penile erection response in rats. Anis et al (2007) reported that oxidative stress increased in lead intoxication, and similar changes with vascular ED could be observed in the corpus cavernosum of patients with lead intoxication. Anis et al (2007) reported that oxidative stress increased in lead intoxication, and similar changes with vascular ED could be observed in the corpus cavernosum of patients with lead intoxication.…”

An Unusual Case of Neurogenic Sexual Dysfunction Due to Lead Exposure

“…Decreased libido is secondary to altered hypothalamic-pituitary axis and altered orgasm [13]. Sexual symptoms in the case reported here included poor libido, unable to get a penile erection, ejaculatory and orgasmic dysfunction due to pelvic autonomic neuropathy secondary to lead poisoning [14,15].…”

Gene–environment interactions between JAZF1 and occupational and household lead exposure in prostate cancer among African American men

“…Pb in gasoline emissions (cases exposed =169) was not associated with increased risk of prostate cancer (OR, 0.9; 95% CI 0.7-1.2). It is widely known that the male reproductive system is adversely affected by Pb [67,68], and Pb has been associated with poorer sperm quality[69] and erectile dysfunction [70]. Higher PSA levels have also been reported to be associated with Cd [71] and with Pb [72] exposure.…”

“…It should be noted that although old housing is best known for Pb exposure, small quantities of Cd are contained in house paint [76]. Finally, Pb exposure has been associated with erectile dysfunction [70] and male fertility [14], two variables we did not have in our data set. We did control for benign prostatic hyperplasia which did not change results appreciably.…”