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Role of Oxidative Stress in ED: Unraveling the Molecular Mechanism

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Studies on Men's Health and Fertility

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Abstract

Many advances in the understanding of erection physiology and pathophysiology have been made in recent years. These advances have revealed the importance of oxidative stress and a complex interaction between oxidative stress and regulatory pathways in the penis in the development and progression of erectile dysfunction (ED) associated with various disease states. In this chapter, we present current knowledge of the pathophysiology of ED pertaining to the mechanisms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, the interaction between ROS-generating sources and the main regulatory pathways in the penis, the status of the antioxidant systems that reduce ROS bioavailability, and cellular targets for ROS action in vasculogenic and neurogenic ED. We further discuss a therapeutic strategy to improve erectile function in disease states by targeting specific ROS mechanisms in the penis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Urology, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 600 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD, 21287, USA

    Biljana Musicki PhD & Arthur L. Burnett MD

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  1. Biljana Musicki PhD
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  2. Arthur L. Burnett MD
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Correspondence to Biljana Musicki PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Urology, Cleveland Clinic, Euclid Avenue 9500, Cleveland, 44195, Ohio, USA

    Ashok Agarwal

  2. Faculty of Science and IT, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive 1, Callaghan, 2308, New South Wales, Australia

    R. John Aitken

  3. , Department of Male Infertility, Centro Androgen, C/FERNANDO MACIAS 8, 1ºC, La Coruña, 15004, La Coruña, Spain

    Juan G. Alvarez

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Musicki, B., Burnett, A.L. (2012). Role of Oxidative Stress in ED: Unraveling the Molecular Mechanism. In: Agarwal, A., Aitken, R., Alvarez, J. (eds) Studies on Men's Health and Fertility. Oxidative Stress in Applied Basic Research and Clinical Practice. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-61779-776-7_28

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