Erectile Dysfunction and Nitric Oxide

Physiology of erection was studied in the late twentieth century, after the discovery of the important role of nitric oxide in vasodilatation process. Scientists believe that it is a nitric oxide that plays a crucial role in the erectile function. A significant role of nitric oxide is connected with the fact that it stimulates relaxation of the cavernous bodies and this in its turn contributes to penile erection.

The first practical application of research on nitric oxide (NO) results have led to the emergence of a well-known drug – Canadian Viagra.

Nitric oxide is a “hormone” produced by internal wall cells (endothelium) of vessels. Due to the fact that nitric oxide has a direct connection to vascular smooth muscle expansion (vasodilation) and relaxation, it helps to regulate blood pressure. Nitric oxide prevents blood clots formation. Nitric oxide is involved in various processes of immune, nervous and reproductive systems. Nitric oxide is used by immune system killer-cells to destroy malignant tumor cells and kill bacteria.

The following diseases are associated with impaired metabolism and biosynthesis of nitric oxide (NO):

• arterial hypertension;
• Alzheimer’s disease;
• bronchial asthma;
• ischemic heart disease (cardiac angina);
• myocardial infarction;
• epilepsy;
• Parkinson’s disease;
• neurotic depression;
• diabetes;
• erectile dysfunction, and others.

NO (nitric oxide) is an important bioconductor and can cause at cellular level a large number of positive changes that lead to improvement in immune and nervous, blood circulation systems. In practice, effects of nitric oxide may find its use in the treatment of cardiac and vascular diseases. For example, nitric oxide helps restore impaired blood vessels, improve blood circulation aтв normalize blood pressure. That is why researchers consider nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in a circulatory system.

Nitric Oxide for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

Nebivolol was the first drug approved for hypertension and ischemic heart disease treatment which effect was associated with an increased production of nitric oxide. This is the most modern anti-hypertensive drug of the beta1-blockers group, which appeared in the late 20th century. Nebivolol has unique vasodilating properties associated with an increased production of nitric oxide by the inner wall (endothelium) of vessels.

“Viagra-like” effect of nebivolol was revealed in a study conducted in 2005.

Even before the first signs of an impaired blood flow to the heart muscle, the first manifestation of the common vascular disorder may be a violation of erectile function. It was proved that those men who have no problems with orgasm have much lower chances to get fatal cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, normal sex life can be considered as an integral indicator of men’s health.

At present time, men began to pay more attention to their health. Therefore, a man, who wants to restore his sex life, needs to undergo a comprehensive examination, this will help to establish or exclude the possibility of certain disorders and choose the effective therapy.

An important aspect is a correct evaluation of the influence of other drugs on the sexual function. Unfortunately, in chronic diseases, such as arterial hypertension, which itself contributes to erectile dysfunction, taking certain medications is accompanied by sexual dysfunction, which often becomes the reason of why patients stop treatment on their own. A lack of treatment of arterial hypertension may contribute to the development of erectile dysfunction and significantly increase the risk of heart attack or blood stroke.

However, the situation is not hopeless, as today there are drugs that can not only maintain blood pressure at a normal level and reduce myocardial ischemia but also have a beneficial effect on sexual function.

Nebivolol is an example of a drug that maintains blood pressure at a normal level, reduces the frequency of cardiac angina attacks, and also has a positive effect on erectile function.