Effects of diet and antihyperglycemic drugs on erectile dysfunction: A systematic review

Abstract

Background: Erectile dysfunction is recognized as one of the complications of diabetes mellitus. To date, a wide gap of knowledge is present on the efficacy of pharmacological treatments of diabetes mellitus on erectile function, acting not only through metabolic control. Similarly, the effects of different diet regimens on erectile dysfunction are still debated. Objectives:We aimed to explore the effects of diet and antihyperglycemic drugs, considering both old and novel therapeutic approaches, on erectile function. Materials/methods:We performed a systematic review, following the PRISMA guidelines. The research was conducted on studies reporting erectile dysfunction assessment in subjects with diabetes and the relationship with diet and antihyperglycemic drugs. Results:The Mediterranean diet was effective in most studies for the protection of erectile function. Furthermore, antihyperglycemic drugs seem to show an overall protective role on erectile function.Discussion/conclusion: Although encouraging results are present for all classes of antihyperglycemic drugs, several studies are needed in humans, mainly on acarbose, pioglitazone, dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitors, and sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

The Role of Antihyperglycemic Drugs and Diet on Erectile Function: Results from a Perspective Study on a Population with Prediabetes and Diabetes

“…The diet followed by the patients was almost on the basis of the Mediterranean diet, when followed. As known, the Mediterranean diet may be associated with an improvement of EF [ 14 , 21 , 40 ]. The role of diet, when associated with antidiabetic drugs, allows to explain the favorable trend, though not significant, on the IIEF-5 score, compared to other groups.…”

“…Considering the effect of antidiabetic treatment on erectile function (EF), a limited number of studies focused on humans are available [ 12 , 13 , 14 ], so the data are still limited on ED. A study conducted on Metformin use in diabetic men with ED showed an increased International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score after treatment [ 15 ].…”

“…A study conducted on Metformin use in diabetic men with ED showed an increased International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) score after treatment [ 15 ]. Among the new antihyperglycemic treatments, GLP-1a showed promising effects on EF [ 16 , 17 ], by improving glycemic control and weight loss, while DPP4i and SGLT-2i needed more studies to draw conclusions [ 14 , 18 , 19 ]. About diet, the Mediterranean diet specifically resulted in effectively preserving EF, while Western diets could be a risk factor for ED [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Association between dietary inflammation and erectile dysfunction among US adults: A cross-sectional analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001–2004

“…Finally, two sensitivity analyses were additionally performed to assess the robustness of our findings. In the first sensitivity analysis, we excluded participants taking medicines that potentially affect erectile function, including antidepressants (42), antipsychotics (43), antihyperglycemic agents (9,44), sex hormones and corticosteroids (45). In the second sensitivity analysis, a stricter criterion of ED was used.…”

“…Diet is a potential source of chronic low-grade inflammation which is related to the pathogenesis of ED (8). Previously, some dietary patterns, especially anti-inflammatory diet, have been linked to ED (9,10). For example, Mediterranean diet is a kind of anti-inflammatory diet, and recently a long-term randomized clinical trial by Maiorino et al has noticed a protective effect of Mediterranean diet on erectile function, as well as a reduction of C-reactive protein levels in males with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (11).…”