Objective To investigate the density and distribution ofResults ET-1, ET A and ET B receptor binding sites were primarily localized to the smooth muscle cells of the endothelin-1 (ET-1) and endothelin receptor subtypes in cavernosal tissue of healthy New Zealand White corpus cavernosum and the endothelium lining the cavernosal spaces. There was a significant decrease in (NZW) rabbits (controls) and to assess any changes in a genetic model of hypercholesterolaemia (the ET B receptor binding sites in cavernosal tissue from HC rabbits when compared to age-matched healthy Watanabe rabbit). Materials and methods Penises were excised from six controls. Conclusions The findings suggest that ET-1 may have a hypercholesterolaemic (HC) rabbits 6 months after birth. Low-and high-resolution autoradiography was perrole in the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction in HC. These eCects may partly be due to enhanced formed on cavernosal sections using radioligands for ET-1, endothelin A (ET A ) and endothelin B (ET B ) recepvasoconstrictor actions and smooth muscle cell proliferation, consequent on a reduction in endothelial tors, and the autoradiographs analysed densitometrically. The results were compared with those from ET B receptors. Keywords Endothelin-1, endothelin B receptor, corpus six age-matched control rabbits. Immunohistochemical localization of ET-1-like immunoreactivity was cavernosum, hypercholesterolaemia, erectile dysfunction also performed on adjacent cavernosal sections. preferentially released from vascular endothelium.

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Greenstein et al 1 report a signi®cant correlation between the number of coronary vessels occluded on angiography and erectile dysfunction (ED). This is an important ®nding because previous links between ischaemic heart disease (IHD) and ED have been largely restricted to demonstrating that these conditions share common risk factors (for example, smoking, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and hypertension). 2 ± 4 In addition, some of the drugs (for example anti-hypertensives) used to treat IHD can cause ED. If the pathogenesis of IHD and ED is similar, then other predictors of vascular events should be shared by both these conditions. We therefore assessed plasma ®brinogen concentrations in men with ED and in matched controls. Our results reveal higher levels of this coagulation factor in those with ED. 4 We are currently evaluating lipoprotein (a) levels in men with ED. This lipoprotein is another predictor of a variety of vascular events (for example, myocardial infarction and stroke). These studies would support the routine screening of patients with vasculogenic ED for cardiovascular risk factors.Good diabetic and blood pressure control are well recognised therapies, but current evidence also raises the question of early intervention with lipidlowering agents (some of which are known to reduce ®brinogen levels). Support for such an approach comes from several studies, 5,6 which showed a signi®cant reduction in cardiovascular events and a reduction in the progression of coronary atheromatous lesions in patients with hypercholesterolaemia taking lipid-lowering therapy (for example 4S 5 and MAAS 6 ).Finally, medical practitioners who treat patients with ED should be aware of potential underlying IHD and its clinical relevance in terms of`whole patient management.' References

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