The rs2682826 Polymorphism of the NOS1 Gene Is Associated with the Degree of Disability of Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male disorder, often associated with cardiovascular disease and ageing. The Sildenafil, a PDE5 inhibitor, can improve the erectile function by prolonging the nitric oxide (NO) downstream effect. NO is a molecule of pivotal importance in erection physiology and is mainly produced by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and endothelial NO synthase (eNOS). While it has been shown that eNOS and nNOS genetic polymorphisms could be associated with Sildenafil responsiveness in ED, no study so far has assessed whether nNOS polymorphisms and PDE5A polymorphism could be associated with increased risk to ED or with intensity of symptoms. A total of 119 ED patients and 114 controls were studied, with evaluation of the clinical disability by the International Index for Erectile Function instrument, plasma assessment of nitrite levels and genomic DNA analysis regarding the rs41279104 and rs2682826 polymorphisms of the NOS1 gene and the rs2389866, rs3733526 and rs13124532 polymorphisms of the PDE5A gene. We have found a significant association of the rs2682826 with lower IIEF scores in the clinical ED group. While this result should be confirmed in other populations, it may be helpful in establishing a genetic panel to better assess disease risk and prognosis on ED therapy.

Vascular Diseases: Etiologic, Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Therapeutic Research

“…Erectile dysfunction (ED), a common male disorder, is often associated with cardiovascular diseases, aging and mental disorders such as depression, while its main cause is vascular. In the paper “The rs2682826 Polymorphism of the NOS1 Gene Is Associated with the Degree of Disability of Erectile Dysfunction”, Perticarrara Ferezin et al [ 1 ] explores whether or not two nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1) genetic polymorphisms (rs41279104 and rs2682826) and three PDE5A genetic polymorphisms (rs2389866, rs3733526, and rs13124532) are associated with a risk of ED and the degree of dysfunction if so. This is the first study showing an association between the rs2682826 polymorphism of the NOS1 gene and the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) erectile function score (disease severity) in clinical ED patients.…”