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Menafra D, de Angelis C, Garifalos F, Mazzella M, Galdiero G, Piscopo M, Castoro M, Verde N, Pivonello C, Simeoli C, Auriemma RS, Colao A, Pivonello R. Long-term high-dose L-arginine supplementation in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction: a multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Endocrinol Invest 2022; 45:941-961. [PMID: 34973154 PMCID: PMC8995264 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01704-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The current randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial addressed the effects on penile erectile function of relatively high daily oral doses (6 g/day) of L-ARG for 3 months (N = 51) compared to placebo (N = 47), in patients with vasculogenic ED, with comparison between mild-moderate and severe vasculogenic ED. METHODS The outcome measures included IIEF-6 score and cavernous arteries peak systolic flow velocity (PSV) at dynamic penile duplex ultrasonography (PDU). RESULTS L-ARG supplementation for 3 months significantly increased IIEF-6 score in the overall cohort (p < 0.0001) and in subgroups of patients with mild-moderate (p < 0.0001) and severe (p = 0.007) vasculogenic ED; PSV was significantly increased in the overall cohort (p < 0.0001) and in patients with mild-moderate (p < 0.0001), but not severe vasculogenic ED. At study completion, 74% of patients improved ED degree category, although only 24% of patients, mainly belonging to the baseline category of mild ED, reached IIEF-6 scores compatible with absence of ED; moreover, 20% of patients, exclusively belonging to the baseline category of mild-moderate vasculogenic ED, reached PSV values compatible with absence of ED. CONCLUSION The results of the current study demonstrated that supplementation with relatively high doses of L-ARG as a single compound for 3 months significantly improved penile erectile function, assessed by both IIEF-6 score and PSV at dynamic PDU in patients with mild-moderate, and improved IIEF-6 score, but not PSV, in patients with severe vasculogenic ED, therefore suggesting that L-ARG might be an alternative treatment in mild-moderate vasculogenic ED patients experiencing adverse effects or with contraindications for chronic treatment with PDE5i compounds.
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Affiliation(s)
- D. Menafra
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - C. de Angelis
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - F. Garifalos
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - M. Mazzella
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - G. Galdiero
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - M. Piscopo
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - M. Castoro
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - N. Verde
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - C. Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - C. Simeoli
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - R. S. Auriemma
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - A. Colao
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Unesco Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - R. Pivonello
- Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Andrologia e Medicina della Riproduzione e della Sessualità Maschile e Femminile (FERTISEXCARES), Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Unesco Chair for Health Education and Sustainable Development, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
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Cozzolino P, Stramare R, Udilano A, Castoro M, Scagliori E, Beltrame V, Rubaltelli L. Quality control of ultrasound transducers: analysis of evaluation parameters and results of a survey of 116 transducers in a single hospital. Radiol Med 2010; 115:668-77. [PMID: 20177978 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-010-0533-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2009] [Accepted: 07/21/2009] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to develop a quality control programme for ultrasound equipment and assess equipment performance at a single hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS We tested 116 transducers by means of a phantom; ultrasound quality control tests were done on parameters from B-mode images, and each parameter was rated according to a three-point score as good, sufficient or poor. RESULTS Surface transducers showed worse performance in terms of image uniformity, with 7/55 (13%) transducers rated poor, and depth of penetration, with 24/55 (44%) transducers, rated sufficient or poor. The 3.5-MHz transducers showed worse performance in lateral resolution, with 18/48 (38%) rated poor, and particularly in focusing, with 40/48 (83%) classified as poor. In addition, the 3.5-MHz transducers proved less accurate in vertical distance accuracy than in horizontal distance, with 31/48 (64%) considered sufficient. No significant geometric distortions of masses were identified, although 4/116 (3%) transducers failed to visualise two masses. CONCLUSIONS The first goal of an ultrasound quality control programme is to establish specific parameters to evaluate equipment performance and, should results be below recommended action levels, implement corrective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Cozzolino
- Dipartimento di Scienze Medico Diagnostiche e Terapie Speciali, Università degli Studi di Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, Padova, Italy
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Calò LA, Naso A, Pagnin E, Davis PA, Castoro M, Corradin R, Riegler P, Cascone C, Huber W, Piccoli A. Vitamin E-coated dialyzers reduce oxidative stress related proteins and markers in hemodialysis--a molecular biological approach. Clin Nephrol 2005; 62:355-61. [PMID: 15571180 DOI: 10.5414/cnp62355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hemodialysis patients (HD) are exposed to oxidative stress which contributes to cardiovascular disease and accelerated atherosclerosis, major causes of mortality in these patients. A new dialysis membrane coated with vitamin E has been proposed against oxidative stress and atherosclerosis due to their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation by interacting with scavengers. The mechanisms however are not completely clarified. This study evaluated, using a molecular biology approach, the effect of 6 months treatment with vitamin E-modified dialyzers, CL-E, on the gene expression of oxidative stress related proteins and markers. PATIENTS AND METHODS To this end, the gene expression of p22phox, a NAD(P)H oxidase subunit closely linked with the generation of superoxide anions and of Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), induced by and protective from oxidative stress, were evaluated by RT-PCR in mononuclear cells from 5 patients under 3 times a week chronic bicarbonate dialysis. Hydroperoxide (HPO) and total antioxidant power (AOP) plasma levels were evaluated at 3 and 6 months of treatment. HPO was also evaluated in 8 patients under CL-E treatment for 1 year and compared with 8 patients treated with cuprammonium-ryon filter (TAF). RESULTS p22phox mRNA decreased from 0.61 +/- 0.05 d.u. to 0.48 +/- 0.03, p < 0.01 while HO-1 increased from 0.55 +/- 0.04 d.u. to 0.62 +/- 0.03, p < 0.01. HPO decreased in CL-E treated patients: from 2.72 +/- 0.26 microM to 1.45 +/- 0.27 at 3 months (p < 0.001) to 0.87 +/- 0.11, p < 0.001 at 6 months, while AOP increased: from 752 +/- 90 mmol/L to 1057 +/- 105, p < 0.001 at 6 months. HPO was also reduced in 1 year Excebrane CL-E treated patients compared with cuprammonium treated patients: 2.25 +/- 0.3 vs. 1.42 +/- 0.11 microM, p < 0.001. CONCLUSION The reduced expression of oxidative stress related proteins and markers gives further support to the efficacy of the use of Vitamin E coated dialysers for the prevention or slowing progression of cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis, major complications and causes of mortality in these patients in which oxidative stress plays a pivotal role.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A Calò
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinica Medica 4, University of Padova-Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Italy.
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