Andrea Lenzi

Effects of testosterone on body composition, bone metabolism and serum lipid profile in middle-aged men: a meta-analysis

Objectives  Ageing in men is associated with a gradual decline in serum testosterone levels and a concomitant loss of muscle mass, accumulation of central adiposity, impaired mobility and increased risk of bone fractures. Whether androgen treatment might be beneficial in these subjects is still under debate. We have carried out a systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of testosterone (T) administration to middle‐aged and ageing men on body composition, muscle strength, bone density, markers of bone metabolism and serum lipid profile.

Effects of testosterone on sexual function in men: results of a meta‐analysis

Objectives  The role of androgen decline in the sexual activity of adult males is controversial. To clarify whether sexual function would benefit from testosterone (T) treatment in men with partially or severely reduced serum T levels, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled studies published in the past 30 years. The aim of this study was to assess and compare the effects of T on the different domains of sexual life.

Metabolic Syndrome and Risk of Cancer A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE Available evidence supports the emerging hypothesis that metabolic syndrome may be associated with the risk of some common cancers. We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the association between metabolic syndrome and risk of cancer at different sites. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We conducted an electronic search for articles published through October 2011 without restrictions and by reviewing reference lists from retrieved articles. Every included study was to report risk estimates with 95% CIs for the association between metabolic syndrome and cancer. RESULTS We analyzed 116 datasets from 43 articles, including 38,940 cases of cancer. In cohort studies in men, the presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with liver (relative risk 1.43, P < 0.0001), colorectal (1.25, P < 0.001), and bladder cancer (1.10, P = 0.013). In cohort studies in women, the presence of metabolic syndrome was associated with endometrial (1.61, P = 0.001), pancreatic (1.58, P < 0.0001), breast postmenopausal (1.56, P = 0.017), rectal (1.52, P = 0.005), and colorectal (1.34, P = 0.006) cancers. Associations with metabolic syndrome were stronger in women than in men for pancreatic (P = 0.01) and rectal (P = 0.01) cancers. Associations were different between ethnic groups: we recorded stronger associations in Asia populations for liver cancer (P = 0.002), in European populations for colorectal cancer in women (P = 0.004), and in U.S. populations (whites) for prostate cancer (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Metabolic syndrome is associated with increased risk of common cancers; for some cancers, the risk differs betweens sexes, populations, and definitions of metabolic syndrome.

Androgens improve cavernous vasodilation and response to sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction

objectives We have recently shown that, in men with erectile dysfunction (ED), free testosterone (FT) directly correlates with penile arterial inflow. This led us to further investigate the effect(s) of androgen administration on cavernous arteries in patients failing sildenafil treatment.

Use of carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility: A double-blind crossover trial

OBJECTIVE To determine the efficacy of L-carnitine therapy in selected cases of male factor infertility. DESIGN Placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover trial. SETTING University tertiary referral center. PATIENT(S) One hundred infertile patients (ages 20-40 years) with the following baseline sperm selection criteria: concentration, 10-20 x 10(6)/mL; total motility, 10%-30%; forward motility, <15%; atypical forms, <70%; velocity, 10-30 micro/s; linearity, <4. Eighty-six patients completed the study. INTERVENTION(S) Patients underwent L-carnitine therapy 2 g/day or placebo; the study design was 2 months of washout, 2 months of therapy/placebo, 2 months of washout, and 2 months placebo/therapy. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Variation in sperm parameters used in the patients selection criteria, in particular, sperm motility. Excluding outliers, a statistically significant improvement in semen quality, greater than after the placebo cycle, was seen after the L-carnitine therapy for sperm concentration and total and forward sperm motility. The increase in forward sperm motility was more significant in those patients with lower initial values, i.e., <5 x 10(6) or <2 x 10(6) of forward motile sperm/ejaculate or sperm/mL. CONCLUSION(S) Based on a controlled study of efficacy, L-carnitine therapy was effective in increasing semen quality, especially in groups with lower baseline levels. However, these results need to be confirmed by larger clinical trials and in vitro studies.

A Critical Analysis of the Role of Testosterone in Erectile Function: From Pathophysiology to Treatment—A Systematic Review

CONTEXT Androgen modulation of erectile function (EF) is widely accepted. However, the use of testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) in men with erectile dysfunction (ED) has generated an unprecedented debate. OBJECTIVE To summarize the relevant data on the incidence, diagnosis, and management of ED coexisting with hypogonadism and to develop a pathophysiology-based treatment algorithm. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We reviewed the relevant medical literature, with a particular emphasis on original molecular studies, prospective observational data, and randomized controlled trials performed in the past 20 yr. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Testosterone modulates nearly every component involved in EF, from pelvic ganglions to smooth muscle and the endothelial cells of the corpora cavernosa. It also regulates the timing of the erectile process as a function of sexual desire, coordinating penile erection with sex. Epidemiologic studies confirm the significant overlap of hypogonadism and ED; however, most guidelines do not consider the differential diagnosis of hypogonadism or the relevance of subclinical disease. Various clinical tools can help the physician to assess and restore androgen levels in men with ED. Special attention is given to fertility-sparing treatments, due to the increasing number of older men desiring fatherhood. The simultaneous use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) and TRT has recently been questioned. Originally proposed as a salvage therapy for nonresponders to PDE5-Is, this approach has been inappropriately transformed into a combination therapy. Clinical data are consistent when reinterpreted in the proper framework, whereas molecular evidence remains controversial. CONCLUSIONS A body of molecular and clinical evidence supports the use of TRT in hypogonadal patients with ED, although the benefit-risk ratio is uncertain in advanced age. Critical appraisal of this evidence enabled the development of a pathophysiology-oriented algorithm designed to avoid inappropriate treatments and support whether to start with TRT, PDE5-I only, or both. Apparently divergent findings are reconciled when TRT is correctly indicated. An improved diagnosis and individualized management is desirable in light of the many available options.

Chronic Inhibition of cGMP Phosphodiesterase 5A Improves Diabetic Cardiomyopathy A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial Using Magnetic Resonance Imaging With Myocardial Tagging

Background— cGMP phosphodiesterase type 5 protein is upregulated in myocardial hypertrophy. However, it has never been ascertained whether phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition exerts an antiremodeling effect in nonischemic heart disease in humans. We explored the cardioreparative properties of a selective phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, sildenafil, in a model of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Methods and Results— Fifty-nine diabetic men (60.3±7.4 years) with cardiac magnetic resonance imaging consistent with nonischemic, nonfailing diabetic cardiomyopathy (reduced circumferential strain [&sgr;], −12.6±3.1; increased left ventricular [LV] torsion [&thgr;], 18.4±4.6°; and increased ratio of LV mass to volume, 2.1±0.5 g/mL) were randomized to receive sildenafil or placebo (100 mg/d). At baseline, the metabolic indices were correlated with torsion, strain, N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide, vascular endothelial growth factor, monocyte chemotactic protein-1, and blood pressure. After 3 months, sildenafil produced a significant improvement compared with placebo in LV torsion (&Dgr;&thgr;: sildenafil, −3.89±3.11° versus placebo, 2.13±2.35°; P<0.001) and strain (&Dgr;&sgr;: sildenafil, −3.30±1.86 versus placebo, 1.22±1.84; P<0.001). Sildenafil-induced improvement of LV contraction was accompanied by consistent changes in chamber geometry and performance, with a 6.5±11 improvement in mass-to-volume ratio over placebo (P=0.021). Monocyte chemotactic protein-1 and transforming growth factor-&bgr; were the only markers affected by active treatment (&Dgr;monocyte chemotactic protein-1: −75.30±159.28 pg/mL, P=0.032; &Dgr;transforming growth factor-&bgr;: 5.26±9.67 ng/mL, P=0.009). No changes were found in endothelial function, afterload, or metabolism. Conclusions— The early features of diabetic cardiomyopathy are LV concentric hypertrophy associated with altered myocardial contraction dynamics. Chronic phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibition, at this stage, has an antiremodeling effect, resulting in improved cardiac kinetics and circulating markers. This effect is independent of any other vasodilatory or endothelial effects and is apparently exerted through a direct intramyocardial action. Clinical Trial Registration— URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00692237.

L- carnitine in idiopathic asthenozoospermia: a multicenter study

Summary. The aim of the study described here was to evaluate any possible effect of L‐carnitine on spermatozoal motility in a group of patients with unexplained asthenozoospermia in four different infertility centres. One hundred patients received 3 g d−1 of oral L‐carnitine for 4 months. Sperm parameters were studied before, during and after this treatment. Motility was also studied by means of a computer‐assisted sperm analysis.

Measurement of the Thickness of the Urethrovaginal Space in Women with or without Vaginal Orgasm

INTRODUCTION The physiology and anatomy of female sexual function are poorly understood. The differences in sexual function among women may be partly attributed to anatomical factors. AIM The purpose of this study was to use ultrasonography to evaluate the anatomical variability of the urethrovaginal space in women with and without vaginal orgasm. METHODS Twenty healthy, neurologically intact volunteers were recruited from a population of women who were a part of a previous published study. All women underwent a complete urodynamic evaluation and those with clinical and urodynamic urinary incontinence, idiopathic detrusor overactivity, or micturition disorders, as well as postmenopausal women and those with sexual dysfunction were excluded. The reported experience of vaginal orgasm was investigated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The urethrovaginal space thickness as measured by ultrasound was chosen as the indicator of urogenital anatomical variability. Designated evaluators carried out the measurements in a blinded fashion. RESULTS The urethrovaginal space and distal, middle, and proximal urethrovaginal segments were thinner in women without vaginal orgasm. A direct correlation between the presence of vaginal orgasm and the thickness of urethrovaginal space was found. Women with a thicker urethrovaginal space were more likely to experience vaginal orgasm (r = 0.884; P = 0.015). A direct and significant correlation between the thickness of each urethrovaginal segment and the presence of vaginal orgasm was found, with the best correlation observed for the distal segment (r = 0.863; P < 0.0001). Interobserver agreement between the designated evaluators was excellent (r = 0.87; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS The measurement of the space within the anterior vaginal wall by ultrasonography is a simple tool to explore anatomical variability of the human clitoris-urethrovaginal complex, also known as the G-spot, which can be correlated to the ability to experience the vaginally activated orgasm.

Ejaculatory disorders: epidemiology and current approaches to definition, classification and subtyping

Ejaculatory disorders (disorders of emission, ejaculation and orgasm) are the most frequent sexual complaint. Conventional algorithms on ejaculatory disorders are based on an organic or psychogenic dichotomy, with the latter being traditionally considered the main etiological cause. The scope of this review is to propose a new classification of ejaculatory disorders, with special emphasis on epidemiology and subtyping of the most frequent: premature ejaculation (PE). There is growing agreement on definition, diagnosis, and treatment options. In many cases, ejaculatory disorders can be classified by psycho-neuro-uro-endocrine symptoms. Epidemiological data, new classifications and subtyping, together with new diagnostic procedures and the availability of pharmacological aids, place this topic in the mainframe of sexual medicine. This will soon demolish the barriers to seeking help perceived by patients suffering ejaculatory disorders.