The role of adrenomedullin in varicocele and impotence
Küçük Resim Yok
Tarih
2000
Yazarlar
Dergi Başlığı
Dergi ISSN
Cilt Başlığı
Yayıncı
Blackwell Science Ltd
Erişim Hakkı
info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
Özet
Objective To assess the levels of adrenomedullin (a vasodilatory peptide) in penile blood before and after injection with papaverine in impotent men, and in the internal spermatic vein in infertile patients with varicocele, comparing the results with levels in the brachial vein in the same patients. Patients and methods Intracavernosal levels of adrenomedullin were determined in 14 impotent men (with no vascular pathology, as assessed by colour Doppler ultrasonography) before and after papaverine-induced penile erection. The effect of needle puncture alone was assessed in eight control patients. The level of adrenomedullin was also measured in the internal spermatic vein and brachial vein in 14 infertile men with varicocele. Results The mean (SD) intracavernosal adrenomedullin levels in the 14 impotent men were significantly different between the flaccid and papaverine-induced erectile state, at 93.5 (33.0) and 135.8 (34.9) pmol/mL, respectively, (P < 0.05). Needle puncture alone had no effect on adrenomedullin levels. In men with varicocele, the adrenomedullin level of 139.0 (34.3) pmol/mL within the internal spermatic vein was significantly higher than that in the brachial vein, at 103.9 (37.6) pmol/mL (P < 0.05). Conclusion Injection with papaverine increases adrenomedullin release into penile blood; this release may be responsible for the increase in penile blood flow and penile erection. Higher levels of adrenomedullin within the internal spermatic vein of patients with varicocele may result from the retrograde flow of venous blood from the left adrenal gland and kidney. Further studies are needed to determine the role of adrenomedullin in male infertility and impotence.
Açıklama
Anahtar Kelimeler
adrenomedullin, papaverine, impotence, varicocele, male infertility
Kaynak
Bju International
WoS Q Değeri
Q3
Scopus Q Değeri
Q1
Cilt
86
Sayı
6