This is an excellent journal (2007) of the inextricable link between endothelial dysfunction (disturbance of the function of cells lining the inner surface of all blood vessels including arteries and veins) and ED in men (and associated cardiovascular risks).
Notably both disorders arise from the disturbance of nitric oxide from endothelial cells. Of course it is the increase in bio-avaliable NO which makes PDE5 inhibitors like
Viagra work so well in improving ED.
ED is a result of endothelial dysfunction which in turn is mostly due to an abnormality in the release and/or action of NO since NO is needed for an erection to be maintained.
A key point is that the biggest improvement in endothelial dysfunction and therefore ED seen in studies was a result of lifestyle modifications - the most effective being cardio exercise. Higher basal NO production is observed in well-trained human athletes, an observation that may help to explain the beneficial effects of exercise in cardiovascular diseases.
Agents that increase the expression of eNOS either directly or via risk-factor modification can, potentially have an additive or synergistic effect in improving endothelial and erectile function when coadminsitered with a PDE5 inhibitor. Other agents that have been known to improve endothelial function as well as ED include L-arginine, tetrahydrobiopterin and antioxidant supplements.
What I would like to know is what effect testosterone has on endothelial function and NO in particular - anyone know of any good studies addressing this point?
I know several studies report
testosterones vasodilatory effects and low testosterone is so often associated with ED and cardiovascular disease risk. I also know that testosterone is needed for the initial stage when aroused as it acts on the brain but I wonder exactly what role it plays on maintaining erections.
Does it for example work synergistically with NO or is it somehow needed to produce more NO??
Its fairly well documented that not much testosterone is needed to get an erection and this article got me thinking about what role it actually plays in being able to maintain an erection. Since so many young guys like myself with low testosterone but with no other notable CVD risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high homocysteine, poor diet, smoking, obesity, lack of exercise, high alcohol intake or high levels of stress still suffer from ED more often than we should.
So is this all due to low testosterone per se or due to testosterones connection with production of NO (if there is one)?
Your thoughts or links to any studies addressing these Q's I have would be much appreciated!
http://www.nature.com/nrcardio/journ...cardio0861.pdf 
Excellent article on link between ED & endothelial dysfunction 
Re: Excellent article on link between ED & endothelial dysfunction 
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