Endothelial dysfunction and microvascular damage play a crurical role in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is one of the growth factors that have a wide range of biologic effects.
IGF-1 is an important mediator of cell growth, differentiation and transformation in various tissues. The purpose of the current study was to determine the association between IGF-1 levels and ED.
All men were evaluated for ED and divided into two groups: 80 patients suffering from ED for > 1 year and 80 subjects without ED were enrolled as a control group in this study. Diagnosis of ED was based on the International Index of Erectile Function Score-5. IGF-1 levels were measured in serum by an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay. The relationship between IGF-1 levels and ED scores in patients was statistically evaluated.
The mean age of patients in ED group was 60. 4 ± 11. 3 years and 55. 4 ± 9. 6 in control group. The plasma IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in ED than in control group (96. 5 ± 38. 3 and 132. 5 ± 53. 3 ng/ mL, respectively, P < 0. 001). The IGF-1 levels were positively correlated with ED score (r = 0. 623, P < 0. 01).
In this study serum IGF-1 levels were found to be associated with endothelial dysfunction that predicts ED. Serum IGF-1 level appears to be a specific predictor of ED, and it might be used in early prediction of ED in male population.
Abstract available from the publisher.
Basic and clinical andrology. 2016 Jan 28*** epublish ***
Alper Otunctemur, Emin Ozbek, Suleyman Sahin, Levent Ozcan, Murat Dursun, Emre Can Polat, Mustafa Cekmen, Ozgur Doga Ozsoy, Mustafa Erkoc, Eyup Danis, Muammer Bozkurt
Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. , Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. , Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. , Department of Urology, Derince Training and Research Hospital, Kocaeli, Turkey. , Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. , Department of Urology, Istanbul Medipol University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey. , Department of Biochemistry, Kocaeli University, School of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey. , Department of Biochemistry, Kocaeli University, School of Medicine, Kocaeli, Turkey. , Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. , Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. , Department of Urology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.