Role of disturbed fatty acids metabolism in the pathophysiology of diabetic erectile dysfunction

Abstract

BackgroundVasculogenic erectile dysfunction (VED) is considered as a common complication among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We tested whether changes in fatty acid (FAs) classes measured in erythrocytes are associated with increased risk of diabetic VED along with related risk factors.MethodsWe assessed erythrocyte FAs composition, lipid peroxidation parameters and inflammatory cytokines among 72 T2D men with VED, 78 T2D men without VED and 88 healthy volunteers with similar age. Biochemical, hepatic, lipid and hormonal profiles were measured.ResultsT2D people with VED had significant decrease in the indexes of Δ6-desaturase and elongase activities compared to the other studied groups. The same group of participants displayed lower erythrocytes levels of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C20:3n-6) (P < .001), precursor of the messenger molecule PGE1 mainly involved in promoting erection. Moreover, absolute SFAs concentration and HOMA IR levels were higher in T2D people with VED when compared to controls and associated with impaired NO concentration (1.43 vs 3.30 ng/L, P < .001). Our results showed that IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased and positively correlated with MDA levels only in T2D people with VED (r = 0.884, P = .016 and r = 0.753, P = .035; respectively) suggesting a decrease in the relative availability of vasodilator mediators and an activation of vasoconstrictors release.ConclusionOur findings show that the deranged FAs metabolism represents a potential marker of VED in progress, or at least an indicator of increased risk within men with T2D.

Triglycerides/Glucose Index Is Associated with Sperm Parameters and Sperm DNA Fragmentation in Primary Infertile Men: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…All patients underwent two consecutive semen analyses at least 3 months apart; for the specific purposes of this study, we considered semen volume, sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, and morphology [52]. According to 2010 WHO reference criteria, oligozoospermia is defined as <15 million sperm per ml, asthenozoospermia is defined as <32% progressive motility, and teratozoospermia is defined as <4% of normal forms.…”

Comprehensive insight into functional interaction between GNB3 C825T and eNOS T‐786C, G894T gene polymorphisms and association with susceptibility to diabetic erectile dysfunction

“…In another study, the GNB3 gene was associated with an increasing risk of IR (Siffert, ). Recently, it has been proved that the severity of IR affects the NO‐cGMP pathway leading to impaired NO bioactivity, changes in vascular tone and vascular smooth muscle cells function (Ben Khedher et al ., ). This finding suggests that the association between the C825T polymorphism and VED might not exactly be causative, but might be linked to increased risk of IR and downregulation of eNOS activity.…”

Efficacy of Yougui pill combined with Buzhong Yiqi decoction in alleviating the sexual dysfunction in female rats through modulation of the gut microbiota

“…In addition, disturbed fatty acid metabolism might be regarded as a potential marker of vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (Ben Khedher et al. 2017 ). Thus, we speculated that these functions might also serve important roles in the occurrence of female sexual dysfunction.…”