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Iuliano S, Zagari MC, Frasca Polara G, Rotella G, LA Vignera S, Greco EA, Liuzza MT, Aversa A. Global olfactory function correlates with global sexual functioning in men and women. Minerva Med 2023; 114:785-794. [PMID: 37382520 DOI: 10.23736/s0026-4806.23.08753-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Olfaction is intimately involved in reproductive behaviors. However, there is limited evidence about the relationship between olfactory and sexual functioning, and whether this relationship is modulated by gender. This study aimed to investigate the correlates between olfactory and sexual functioning in a cohort of young healthy individuals; secondary outcomes were the possible correlates between disgust and perceived vulnerability to illness, with particular relation to sexual attitudes. METHODS Between January 2019 and December 2022, we enrolled 125 participants (51 males and 74 females) without known sexual disorders. The mean age was 28.47±8.6, and the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) was 23.86±3.3 without major disease or concomitant drug assumption, except for nutraceutical use. Olfactory sensitivity was tested with the Sniffin' Sticks Test (SST). Body Odor Disgust Scale (BODS) and Perceived Vulnerability to Disease (PVD) questionnaires were administered for the evaluation of perceived susceptibility to illness along with the Sexual Attitude Scale (SAS) for the evaluation of sexual attitudes. Sexual function was evaluated by the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) and International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaires, respectively. RESULTS Overall, a close relationship between sexual function and olfaction in both sexes (P<0.05) was found. In the male sample, better olfactive scores were positively correlated to all IIEF sub-domains but negatively with BMI and age, respectively (P<0.05). Moreover, olfaction was negatively correlated with a restrictive attitude towards sexuality (SAS) (P<0.05). The latter was also positively correlated with PVD (P<0.01). In the female sample, all FSFI subscales but sexual desire was positively correlated with olfaction (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS We herein confirm that olfactory capacities positively correlate with sexual behavior in both sexes. In males, these findings were mostly dependent upon increasing age and BMI. In females all domains of sexual function but sexual desire correlated with olfactory capacity, thus suggesting independent neural pathway activation for sexual desire. Finally, better olfactory capacities seem to determine sexual attitudes and disease avoidance behaviors irrespective of gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Iuliano
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria C Zagari
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Gabriele Frasca Polara
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Giovanna Rotella
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Sandro LA Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | | | - Marco T Liuzza
- Department of Surgical and Medical Sciences, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Aversa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Magna Græcia University, Catanzaro, Italy -
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Romano A, Committeri U, Abbate V, Sarcinella M, Maffia F, Barone S, Troise S, Salzano G, Nocini R, Bonavolontà P, Dell’Aversana Orabona G. Is There a Correlation between Endoscopic Sinus Surgery and Improvement in Erectile Dysfunction? J Clin Med 2023; 12:6626. [PMID: 37892764 PMCID: PMC10607428 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12206626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent years, the focus on respiratory disorders has increased, notably on chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), an inflammatory condition of the upper airway that can significantly impact one's quality of life. Interestingly, CRS has emerged as a potential comorbidity in erectile dysfunction (ED). This study aims to assess the impact of endoscopic sinus surgery for CRS on sexual function. MATERIALS AND METHODS The authors conducted a prospective study of patients who visited their clinics for chronic rhinosinusitis between June 2018 and June 2022. The study involved 53 patients aged between 40 and 70 years who were treated for CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) and CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP). Preoperative and postoperative assessments were performed using the Nasal Obstruction Symptoms Evaluation Score (NOSE score) and the 5th International Index of Erectile Function Score (IIEF-5 score) to evaluate potential improvements in sexual function following endoscopic sinus surgery. RESULTS Before surgery, the average NOSE score was 72.6, which decreased to 24.9 postoperatively. The average preoperative IIEF-5 score was 16.35, while the postoperative average increased to 19.52. Statistical analysis revealed a significant improvement in erectile function for penetration (p-value = 0.024) and overall satisfaction after intercourse (p-value < 0.001) regarding the degree of nasal obstruction. CONCLUSION This study underscores the potential benefits of treating chronic obstructive upper airway diseases such as sinusitis in improving the sexual outcomes of patients clinically diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Romano
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Umberto Committeri
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Vincenzo Abbate
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Marco Sarcinella
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Francesco Maffia
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Simona Barone
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Stefania Troise
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Giovanni Salzano
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Riccardo Nocini
- Unit of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Department, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Paola Bonavolontà
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
| | - Giovanni Dell’Aversana Orabona
- Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive and Odontostomatological Sciences, “Federico II” University of Naples, Via Pansini 5, 80100 Naples, Italy; (A.R.); (U.C.); (V.A.); (M.S.); (S.B.); (S.T.); (G.S.); (P.B.); (G.D.O.)
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Scussiatto HO, da Silva JLB, Figueiredo AF, Ramos RAMR, de Rezende Pinna F, Voegels RL, Pinto JM, Fornazieri MA. Association of air pollution with olfactory identification performance of São Paulo residents: a cross-sectional study. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 2023; 96:621-628. [PMID: 36719485 DOI: 10.1007/s00420-023-01956-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Exposure to particulate matter of 10 μm or less in diameter (PM10) has been implicated in pulmonary and cardiovascular diseases. However, the effect of PM10 on olfaction has not been well established. We estimated individual acute and chronic PM10 exposure levels in a large Brazilian cohort and related them to the ability to identify odors. METHODS Adults from São Paulo (n = 1358) were recruited from areas with different levels of air pollution. To verify individual exposure to air pollution, the averages of 30, 60, 90, 180 and 364 days of PM10 were interpolated to subjects' zip codes using the kriging method. Olfactory identification performance was tested using the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT®). Multiple linear regressions were used to calculate the effect of air pollution on olfactory identification performance, controlling for demographic and other variables that affect the sense of smell. RESULTS Acute exposures to PM10 were related to worse UPSIT® scores, including 30- (β = - 0.94, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] - 0.98, - 0.89), 60- (β = - 1.09, 95% CI = - 1.13, - 1.04) and 90-day intervals (β = - 1.06, 95% CI - 1.10, - 1.02) (reference for β: 1 µm/m3 increase in PM10 exposure per point decrease in UPSIT® score). Chronic exposures were also associated with worse olfaction for both 180- (β = - 1.06, 95% CI - 1.10, - 1.03) and 364-day (β = - 0.87, 95% CI - 0.90, - 0.84) intervals. As in prior work, men, older, low-income, and low-schooling people demonstrated worse olfactory performance. CONCLUSION Acute and chronic exposure to PM10 is strongly associated with olfactory identification performance in Brazilian adults. Understanding the mechanisms which underlie these relationships could help to improve chemosensory function with a large public health impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Ochoa Scussiatto
- Department of Surgery, State University of Londrina, Celso Garcia Cid Road, Londrina, Parana, 86057970, Brazil. .,Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Chicago, South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
| | - Jose Lucas Barbosa da Silva
- Department of Surgery, State University of Londrina, Celso Garcia Cid Road, Londrina, Parana, 86057970, Brazil.,Department of Surgery, University of São Paulo, Doutor Arnaldo Avenue, São Paulo, 01246903, Brazil
| | - Alan Felipe Figueiredo
- Department of Surgery, State University of Londrina, Celso Garcia Cid Road, Londrina, Parana, 86057970, Brazil
| | | | - Fabio de Rezende Pinna
- Department of Surgery, University of São Paulo, Doutor Arnaldo Avenue, São Paulo, 01246903, Brazil
| | - Richard Louis Voegels
- Department of Surgery, University of São Paulo, Doutor Arnaldo Avenue, São Paulo, 01246903, Brazil
| | - Jayant M Pinto
- Section of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, The University of Chicago, South Ellis Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Marco Aurelio Fornazieri
- Department of Surgery, State University of Londrina, Celso Garcia Cid Road, Londrina, Parana, 86057970, Brazil.,Department of Surgery, University of São Paulo, Doutor Arnaldo Avenue, São Paulo, 01246903, Brazil.,Department of Surgery, Pontifical Catholic University of Parana, Jockey Club Avenue, Londrina, Parana, 86067000, Brazil
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Blomkvist A, Izzo G, Vaccaro MG, La Vignera S, Brunetti A, Aversa A, Liuzza MT. The Scent of Monogamy: Self-Reported Olfactory Function Predicts Sexual Well-Being and Infidelity in an Italian Population. ARCHIVES OF SEXUAL BEHAVIOR 2022; 51:2879-2889. [PMID: 34791581 PMCID: PMC8597879 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02109-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that olfactory function plays an essential role in the bonding of a romantic relationship. Body odors, in particular, seem involved in both mate choices and other intimate behaviors. Our sense of smell is also crucial to detect possible pathogen threats, by activating a suitable disgust reaction. Previous studies have shown that disgust sensitivity is negatively related to sociosexuality, and disgust generally inhibits our sexual drive. In the present study, we explored the possible relation between olfactory function, pathogen disgust sensitivity, sociosexuality, sexual well-being, and infidelity through a web survey. Our exploratory analyses found that, in a large Italian sample (N = 1107), among those in a stable relationship, self-reported olfactory function predicted sexual well-being (p < .05) and negatively predicted infidelity (p < .05) when controlling for other relevant sociodemographics variables. Moreover, the relation between self-reported olfactory function and sexual well-being was mediated by pathogen disgust sensitivity. Although significant, these results must be interpreted with caution, because the effect sizes were small.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Blomkvist
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Giulia Izzo
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine "Gaetano Salvatore", Università degli Studi "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Maria Grazia Vaccaro
- Neuroscience Research Center, Università Degli Studi "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Università degli Studi "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Institute of Molecular Bioimaging and Physiology, National Research Council, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Sandro La Vignera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - Antonio Brunetti
- Department of Health Sciences, Università degli Studi "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Aversa
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine "Gaetano Salvatore", Università degli Studi "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, 88100, Catanzaro, Italy.
| | - Marco Tullio Liuzza
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, Università degli Studi "Magna Græcia" di Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy
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Wang G, Shen D, Zhang X, Ferrini MG, Li Y, Liao H. Comparison of critical biomarkers in 2 erectile dysfunction models based on GEO and NOS-cGMP-PDE5 pathway. Medicine (Baltimore) 2021; 100:e27508. [PMID: 34731136 PMCID: PMC8519209 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000027508] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Erectile dysfunction is a disease commonly caused by diabetes mellitus (DMED) and cavernous nerve injury (CNIED). Bioinformatics analyses including differentially expressed genes (DEGs), enriched functions and pathways (EFPs), and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were carried out in DMED and CNIED rats in this study. The critical biomarkers that may intervene in nitric oxide synthase (NOS, predominantly nNOS, ancillary eNOS, and iNOS)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-phosphodiesterase 5 enzyme (PDE5) pathway, an important mechanism in erectile dysfunction treatment, were then explored for potential clinical applications. METHODS GSE2457 and GSE31247 were downloaded. Their DEGs with a |logFC (fold change)| > 0 were screened out. Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) online database was used to analyze the EFPs in Gene Ontology enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes networks based on down-regulated and up-regulated DEGs respectively. PPI analysis of 2 datasets was performed in Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes/Proteins (STRING) and Cytoscape. Interactions with an average score greater than 0.9 were chosen as the cutoff for statistical significance. RESULTS From a total of 1710 DEGs in GSE2457, 772 were down-regulated and 938 were up-regulated, in contrast to the 836 DEGs in GSE31247, from which 508 were down-regulated and 328 were up-regulated. The 25 common EFPs such as aging and response to hormone were identified in both models. PPI results showed that the first 10 hub genes in DMED were all different from those in CNIED. CONCLUSIONS The intervention of iNOS with the hub gene complement component 3 in DMED and the aging process in both DMED and CNIED deserves attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangying Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Dayue Shen
- School of Pharmacy, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xilan Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Monica G. Ferrini
- Department of Health and Life Sciences & Department of Internal Medicine, Charles R. Drew University, Los Angeles, CA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA
| | - Yuanping Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hui Liao
- Department of Pharmacy, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Abstract
Among the intact male rats, a subpopulation has been found to show little or no sexual behavior, even after experiencing several mating sessions. This study investigated whether sexually sluggish (SS) males show behavioral differences from normal copulatory (NC) males, other than those concerning sexual behavior. The olfactory preference of males was measured through the time spent displaying nose-poking behavior directed at sexually active males and estrous females for odor exploration in a three-chamber apparatus. Both the NC and SS males showed a significant preference for the odor of estrous females compared with that of male odors. However, SS males spent significantly less time nose-poking estrous females than NC males. The food-finding test was performed after overnight fasting. Our findings showed that all the NC males found the buried pellet within 5 min, whereas over 60% of the SS males failed to find it. The males were also tested for their ability to find a buried bag containing soiled bedding from estrous female cages. The bag was found by 80% of NC males, but only by 20% of SS males. Our results suggest that SS and NC male rats differ not only in sexual behavior but also in other functions such as olfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Shimomi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, 2525 Yatsusawa, Uenohara, Yamanashi 409-0193, Japan
| | - Yasuhiko Kondo
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Teikyo University of Science, 2525 Yatsusawa, Uenohara, Yamanashi 409-0193, Japan
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