Thiol/disulphide homeostasis levels in erectile dysfunction patients

Abstract

This study explored the use of thiol/disulphide homeostasis as a novel oxidative stress marker in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Fifty-five patients aged 40-57 were divided into two groups: Group I (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF-5] score between 22 and 25, n = 20) and Group II (IIEF-5 score < 22, n = 35). Blood samples were used to evaluate hormone levels, lipid profile and thiol/disulphide levels. A novel, fully automated method measured plasma native thiol, total thiol and disulphide levels. Mean age, body mass index, total testosterone, HbA1c, triglyceride, atherogenic index (AIP) and total cholesterol levels did not significantly differ between Groups I and II (p > .05). IIEF-5 correlated weakly with native thiol level. Although non-statistically significant, native thiol (431 [SD: 105] μmol/L vs. 404 [110] μmol/L) and total thiol (426 [64] μmol/L vs. 41 [78] μmol/L) levels were lower in the ED group compared to the controls, and disulphide (14 [11] μmol/L vs. 18 [9] μmol/L) levels were higher. Mean disulphide/native thiol and mean disulphide/total thiol ratios did not statistically differ between groups. There was a weak positive correlation between AIP and total cholesterol/HDL and disulphide and disulphide/total thiol ratios. Thiol/disulphide haemostasis levels are not a single factor in ED pathophysiology but may contribute.

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“…The final value of measured TAC in the sample often depends on the procedure used in each specific assay. We measured serum FRAP as a marker of oxidative stress levels in plasma, a method commonly used for TAC measurement [7]. The results of the current study indicate that the antioxidant capacity of sera, determined as a ferric-reducing ability, is low although not significant in ED patients.…”

“…Under normal physiologic conditions, cavernous endothelial cells are able to detoxify ROS by upregulating the synthesis of antioxidant enzymes when ROS production is increased [6]. Recently, an increasing number of studies have reported the role of the imbalance between the formation of ROS and antioxidant defenses in the pathogenesis of ED [7,8]. Tryptophan (Trp) is an essential amino acid required for the biosynthesis of key biosynthetic intermediates, such as the neurotransmitter serotonin, the neurohormone melatonin, and niacin.…”

The Role of NGF and Its Receptor TrKA in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction

“…Thiol/disulfide homeostasis is important for antioxidant defense, apoptosis, and stabilization of protein chemical structures. The excess of disulfide is related with diabetes, cardiovascular disease (28), and MetS (29)(30)(31)(32). Micoogullari et al reported that thiol/ disulfide homeostasis is altered also in ED, and this may be a factor in its pathophysiology.…”