Sae Chul Kim

Tadalafil once daily for lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A randomized placebo‐ and tamsulosin‐controlled 12‐week study in Asian men

To examine the efficacy and safety of tadalafil in Asian men with lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Tadalafil Administered Once Daily for Treatment of Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Korean men with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia: Results from a Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study Using Tamsulosin as an Active Control

Objectives: Assess the efficacy and safety of once‐daily tadalafil or tamsulosin versus placebo during 12 weeks on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Korean men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Efficacy and safety of oral SK3530 for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in Korean men: a multicenter, randomized, double- blind, placebo-controlled, fixed dose, parallel group clinical trial

AIM To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SK3530, a newly developed type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE5I), in Korean men with erectile dysfunction (ED). METHODS A total of 119 patients were randomized at 10 centers in Korea to receive either SK3530 (50, 100, or 150 mg; n = 89) or placebo (n = 30) taken l h before anticipated sexual activity for an 8-week period. The patients were evaluated at baseline and 4 and 8 weeks after beginning therapy. Efficacy was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Sexual Encounter Profile (SEP), and the Global Assessment Question (GAQ). Safety was analyzed by adverse events, laboratory values and vital signs. RESULTS At the end of the study, all the primary and secondary efficacy end-points were statistically significantly improved by SK3530 compared with placebo (P<0.05). Of the 89 patients in the treatment arm, 36 (42.3%) achieved normal erectile function after treatment, including six patients with severe ED. Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 32 patients. The most common adverse events were flushing, headache, dizziness and eye redness (10.9%, 7.6%, 2.5% and 2.5%, respectively), and most were mild. Only two patients discontinued treatment during the study period because of adverse events. CONCLUSION The results of our phase II study have confirmed the efficacy and safety of SK3530 in a broad population of men with ED of various etiologies and severity. The optimal doses in terms of efficacy and safety were determined to be 50 mg and 100 mg, respectively.

Changes in sexual function in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients taking dutasteride: 1-year follow-up results.

Purpose Sexual adverse events (AEs), a major cause for discontinuing 5α-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), are known to occur most frequently early in therapy and appear to decline over time. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in sexual function occurring with dutasteride treatment during a 1-year follow-up period in Korean men. Materials and Methods Using the International Index of Erectile Function, we prospectively evaluated, after 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of treatment, the changes in sexual function of 55 outpatients (mean age 62.3±7.2 years) with BPH (mean volume 48.9±16.0 g) who had relatively good erectile function (EF) and were treated with dutasteride for at least 1 year. Results EF scores showed the most significant decrease at 1 month (p<0.01). Function gradually recovered thereafter but was still significantly decreased after 12 months of treatment (p<0.05). The scores for orgasmic function and sexual desire also showed the most significant reduction at 1 month but were restored to the baseline level at 6 months. No significant correlation was observed between changes in sexual function and prostate-specific antigen level, prostate volume, or International Prostate Symptom Scores. Conclusions After 1 month of treatment, dutasteride therapy resulted in a significant reduction in all investigated sexual functions. Overall, recovery in sexual function was noted at 3 months, and orgasmic function and sexual desire were restored to baseline levels at 6 months. However, EF was still significantly reduced at 12 months.

Leptin Enhances Nitric Oxide-Dependent Relaxation of the Clitoral Corpus Cavernosum

Purpose The effects of leptin on female sexual behaviors are controversial, and studies on this topic are limited. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the direct effects of leptin on clitoral vasoreactivity in vitro and to determine the mechanism of action. Materials and Methods Isometric tension studies were conducted to determine the effects of pretreatment with leptin (10-8 M) on the contractile responses of rabbit clitoral corpus cavernosal smooth muscle strips. The effects of leptin were assessed on precontraction induced by phenylephrine (PE; 10-9-10-4 M) and KCl (35-140 mM). We also examined the effect of leptin on relaxation induced by acetylcholine (ACh; 10-9-10-4 M), verapamil (10-10-10-6 M), and sodium nitroprusside (10-9-10-4 M) in PE-precontracted (10-5 M) strips. Results Leptin enhanced ACh-induced relaxation in PE-precontracted strips. L-NAME pretreatment significantly reduced the effect of leptin on ACh-induced relaxation, whereas L-arginine potentiated the effect of leptin. Leptin decreased the KCl-induced contractile responses. Leptin increased verapamil-induced relaxation responses. The relaxation effects of leptin on KCl-induced contraction were inhibited by 10-5 M methylene blue and L-NAME pretreatment. Conclusions A high concentration of leptin enhances ACh-dependent relaxation in clitoral cavernosal smooth muscles. These relaxation effects of leptin may occur through an NO-dependent mechanism and voltage-dependent calcium channel blockade.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH—BASIC SCIENCE: The Effects of Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)/DHEA-Sulfate (DHEAS) on the Contraction Responses of the Clitoral Cavernous Smooth Muscle from Female Rabbits

INTRODUCTION Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a multifunctional steroid that is increasingly available as a supplement aimed at improving libido and well-being in postmenopausal women in the recent times. Together with its sulfate version, DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS), it is the most abundant steroid in humans. The clitoris is an important component of the female sexual response, with its increased vascular response during sexual arousal that results in erection. AIMS To elucidate the direct effects of DHEA/DHEAS on the vasomotor reactivity of the rabbit clitoral cavernosum. METHODS Twenty New Zealand white female rabbits weighing approximately 2.5-3 kg were used in the study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The contractile response of clitoral cavernous smooth muscle strips in response to phenylephrine (PE; 10(-9)-10(-4) M) were observed in rabbits. Additionally, DHEA/DHEAS effects on phenylephrine-induced contraction and/or acetylcholine-induced relaxation of phenylephrine-induced contraction were measured. RESULTS DHEA/DHEAS did not elicit any remarkable response in the resting state. However, both DHEA and DHEAS evoked dose-dependent relaxations of PE-induced contraction. The contractile responses to high potassium were significantly decreased in the DHEA/DHEAS-pretreated strips, compared with the DHEA/DHEAS-nontreated strips. Additionally, contractions by Bay K 8644 (10(-7)-10(-6) M) treatment were also significantly inhibited by DHEA/DHEAS. DHEA-induced relaxation responses were stronger than DHEAS-induced relaxation responses. Various K channel blockers, tetraethylammonium (TEA; 1 mM, 10 mM), 4-aminopyridine (10 microM) and glibenclamide (10 microM) did not affect the DHEA/DHEAS-induced relaxation on muscle strips contracted by PE. Relaxation responses by acetylcholine or sodium nitroprusside (SNP) were not changed after DHEA/DHEAS pretreatment. CONCLUSIONS DHEA/DHEAS was found to induce a relaxation response in rabbit clitoral cavernosal smooth muscle, and this is thought to be mediated by direct inhibition of a voltage-dependent calcium channel.

Light and transmission electron microscopic comparisons of sperms between petrochemical factory workers and public servants in a nonindustrialized area

In this study, we compared the semen characteristics on light microscopy and ultrastructural sperm morphology on transmission electron microscopy between workers in an industrialized area with petrochemical complexes and public servants in a nonindustrialized area. Occupational exposure to petrochemical compounds seems to decrease sperm motility and deteriorate the sperm ultrastructural arrangement, which may lead to this decrease in sperm motility.

THE EFFECT OF HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON THE CONTRACTION RESPONSE OF THE SMOOTH MUSCLE IN THE BLADDER OF RATS

Hypothesis / aims of study Ischemia followed by reperfusion may evoke progression of bladder dysfunction associated with bladder outlet obstruction and overactivity of bladder. Cyclic episodes of ischemia-reperfusion can lead to both direct ischemic damage and the generation of free radicals including reactive oxygen species (ROS). Hydrogen peroxide (HP) is the one of most important free radical among ROS, nevertheless, it’s effects on bladder smooth muscle are still unknown. Therefore we examined the direct effects of HP on bladder and pathophysiology.