Vascular and Chronological Age in Subjects with Erectile Dysfunction: A Cross-Sectional Study

IntroductionVascular age, as derived from the SCORE project algorithm for cardiovascular (CV) risk estimation, is an effective way for communicating CV risk. However, studies on its clinical correlates are scanty.AimTo evaluate if the difference between vascular and chronological age (Δage), in a population of subjects with erectile dysfunction (ED), can identify men with a worse risk profile.MethodsA consecutive series of 2,853 male patients attending the outpatient clinic for erectile dysfunction (ED) for the first time was retrospectively studied. Among them, 85.4% (n = 2,437) were free of previous MACE and were analyzed.Main Outcome MeasuresSeveral clinical, biochemical, and penile color Doppler parameters were studied. Vascular age was derived from the SCORE project algorithm, and the Δage was considered.ResultsHigher Δage is associated with several conventional (family history of CV diseases, hyperglycemia, elevated triglycerides, and increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome) and unconventional (severity of ED, frequency of sexual activity, alcohol abuse, lower education level, fatherhood, extramarital affairs, compensated hypogonadism, and low prolactin levels) risk factors. Δage is inversely related to penile color Doppler parameters, including flaccid and dynamic peak systolic velocity and flaccid acceleration (β = −0.125, −0.113, and −0.134, respectively, all P < 0.0001).ConclusionsIn subjects referring for ED without a personal history of CV events, Δage is associated with an adverse cardio-metabolic profile and worse penile color Doppler ultrasound parameters. Δage provides a simple method for identifying high-risk men that must undergo significant modification in their lifestyle and risk factors. In addition, it can be considered a simple, inexpensive, and safe surrogate marker of penile arterial damage.     

Anti-goat antibodies as a rare cause of high gonadotropin levels during menopausal transition

Abstract

Objective: To understand the origin of extremely high gonadotropin levels in a perimenopausal woman.

Methods: A 52-year-old woman with a 2?months of amenorrhea followed spontaneous menstrual cycles recovery was referred to our outpatient clinic with elevated follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH, 483 mUI/ml), luteinizing hormone (LH, 475 mUI/ml) and prolactin (PRL, 173?ng/ml). She was known to take levosulpiride. The gonadotropin levels did not fit with the clinical features.

Results: A gonadotroph tumor was ruled out. Further analysis confirmed constantly high FSH, LH and PRL levels. The measurements were repeated using different analytical platforms with different results. After serial dilutions, nonlinearity was present suggesting an immunoassay interference. After post-polyethylene glycol recovery, hormone levels appeared in the normal range. Anti-goat antibodies were recognized in the serum of the patient.

Conclusions: This case report shows a case of falsely abnormal high gonadotropin and PRL levels in a woman during menopause transition. In the clinical practice the evaluation of gonadotropin profile is not recommended at this age, but the abnormal levels stimulated further evaluation. An interference in the assay due to anti-goat antibodies resulted in abnormally high level of FSH and LH. A strict collaboration between clinicians and the laboratory is needed, when laboratory findings do not correspond to clinical findings.     

Resveratrol attenuates high-fat diet-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis by maintaining gut barrier integrity and inhibiting gut inflammation through regulation of the endocannabinoid system

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Effect of Chronic Administration of PDE5 Combined with Glycemic Control on Erectile Function in Streptozotocin‐Induced Diabetic Rats

IntroductionChronic treatment with phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5) is effective in an animal model of diabetes‐induced erectile dysfunction (DMED). In addition, recent research indicates that glycemic control can restore DMED.AimsWe evaluated the effect of chronic administration of PDE5 combined with glycemic control on DMED.MethodsSprague‐Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were divided into five groups (n = 10 each): normal control (C), diabetes (DM), DM treated with insulin (DM‐I), DM treated with PDE5 (DM‐P), and DM treated with insulin and PDE5 (DM‐I + P). Rats in the diabetic groups received an injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg). After 10 weeks of induced diabetes, the DM‐I group was treated with a daily injection of neutral protamine Hagedorn, and the DM‐P group was treated with a daily dosage of 20 mg/kg PDE5 (DA‐8159) for 4 weeks. The DM‐I + P group was treated with both treatments simultaneously. After 14 weeks of induced diabetes, an evaluation of erectile function and histological and biochemical markers of corporal tissue was performed.Main Outcome MeasuresErectile function and histological and biochemical markers in corporal tissue.ResultsRats in the DM group showed markedly lower erectile parameters than those in the C group, whereas rats in the DM‐I and DM‐P groups showed intermediate erectile function between the DM and C groups. Rats in the DM‐I + P group showed restored erectile function, comparable with group C. A comparison of apoptotic index, expression of the endothelial marker, and phosphorylation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and Akt displayed a similar pattern with the results from cavernosometry (DM < DM‐I = DM‐P < DM‐I + P = C, P < 0.05). The distribution of phosphorylated myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 was in the reverse order.ConclusionsChronic administration of PDE5 or glycemic control with insulin resulted in restoration of overt DMED. The combination of both treatments was superior to monotherapy with insulin or PDE5. Choi WS, Kwon OS, Cho SY, Paick J‐S, and Kim SW. Effect of chronic administration of PDE5 combined with glycemic control on erectile function in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. J Sex Med 2015;12:600–610.     

Combining CAPRA-S With Tumor IDC/C Features Improves the Prognostication of Biochemical Recurrence in Prostate Cancer Patients

Background: Intraductal carcinoma and cribriform (IDC/C) tumor features are well-established prognosticators of biochemical recurrence (BCR), metastasis, and prostate cancer (PCa)-specific mortality. However, approximately 70% of PCa patients undergoing a radical prostatectomy are IDC/C negative, yet up-to 20% of these patients progress and experience BCR. Thus, tumor histopathologic characteristics such as IDC/C alone are limited in their ability to predict disease progression. Conversely, several nomograms such as Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment-Surgery (CAPRA-S) have been developed to aid in the prognostication of BCR, but not yet widely applied in clinical settings. Materials and methods: In this study, we assessed the combined prognostic utility of IDC/C, and CAPRA-S for BCR in 3 PCa patient cohorts. Results: CAPRA-S+IDC/C improved the predictive accuracy of BCR in all 3 cohorts (P < .001). Specifically, among IDC/C negative cases, CAPRA-S improved the prognostication of BCR in low-risk (Cohort 1; P < .001, Cohort 2; P < .001, Cohort 3; P = .003), intermediate (Cohort 1; P < .001, Cohort 2; P = .006, Cohort 3; P = .03) and high-risk (Cohort 1-3; P < .001) patients. Conversely, IDC/C improved the prognostication of BCR among CAPRA-S low-risk (Cohorts 1; P < .001 and Cohort 3; P = .003) patients. Conclusion: Our results suggest the investigation of histopathological IDC/C features in CAPRA-S low-risk patients and conversely, nomogram CAPRA-S among IDC/C negative patients improves the identification of patients likely to experience BCR, which would otherwise be missed through current assessment regimens. These patients can be offered more intensive monitoring and adjuvant therapies upfront to circumvent the development of recurrent cancer or overtreatment at the time of surgery.     

Pangenomic Classification of Pituitary Neuroendocrine Tumors

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