Prostaglandins as a Topical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Comprehensive Review.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a substantial cause of dissatisfaction among many men. This discontentment has led to the emergence of various drug treatment options for this problem. OBJECTIVES: Unfortunately, due to various interactions, contraindications, and side effects, systemic therapies such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (including sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil, etc.) are not welcomed in many patients. These problems have led researchers to look for other ways to reduce these complications. METHODS: This article holistically reviews the efficacy of topical prostaglandins and their role in treating ED. We sought to provide a comprehensive overview of recent findings on the current topic by using the extensive literature search to identify the latest scientific reports on the topic. RESULTS: In this regard, topical and transdermal treatments can be suitable alternatives. In diverse studies, prostaglandins, remarkably PGE1 (also known as alprostadil), have been suggested to be an acceptable candidate for topical treatment. CONCLUSION: Numerous formulations of PGE1 have been used to treat patients so far. Still, in general, with the evolution of classical formulation methods toward modern techniques (such as using nanocarriers and skin permeability enhancers), the probability of treatment success also increases. Hamzehnejadi M, Tavakoli MR, Homayoun F et al. Prostaglandins as a Topical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Comprehensive Review. Sex Med Rev 2022;10:764-781.

Prostaglandins as a Topical Therapy for Erectile Dysfunction: A Comprehensive Review.

INTRODUCTION: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a substantial cause of dissatisfaction among many men. This discontentment has led to the emergence of various drug treatment options for this problem. OBJECTIVES: Unfortunately, due to various interactions, contraindications, and side effects, systemic therapies such as phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors (including sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, avanafil, etc.) are not welcomed in many patients. These problems have led researchers to look for other ways to reduce these complications. METHODS: This article holistically reviews the efficacy of topical prostaglandins and their role in treating ED. We sought to provide a comprehensive overview of recent findings on the current topic by using the extensive literature search to identify the latest scientific reports on the topic. RESULTS: In this regard, topical and transdermal treatments can be suitable alternatives. In diverse studies, prostaglandins, remarkably PGE1 (also known as alprostadil), have been suggested to be an acceptable candidate for topical treatment. CONCLUSION: Numerous formulations of PGE1 have been used to treat patients so far. Still, in general, with the evolution of classical formulation methods toward modern techniques (such as using nanocarriers and skin permeability enhancers), the probability of treatment success also increases.

Laser Ablation-Assisted Synthesis of Poly (Vinylidene Fluoride)/Au Nanocomposites: Crystalline Phase and Micromechanical Finite Element Analysis.

In this research, piezoelectric polymer nanocomposite films were produced through solution mixing of laser-synthesized Au nanoparticles in poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix. Synthetization of Au nanoparticles was carried out by laser ablation in N-methyle-2-pyrrolidene (NMP), and then it was added to PVDF: NMP solution with three different concentrations. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were carried out in order to study the crystalline structure of the nanocomposite films. Results revealed that a remakable change in crystalline polymorph of PVDF has occurred by embedding Au nanoparticles into the polymer matrix. The polar phase fraction was greatly improved by increasing the loading content of Au nanoparticle. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) showed that the nanocomposite films are more resistant to high temperature and thermal degradation. An increment in dielectric constant was noticed by increasing the concentration of Au nanoparticles through capacitance, inductance, and resistance (LCR) measurement. Moreover, the mechanical properties of nanocomposites were numerically anticipated by a finite element based micromechanical model. The results reveal an enhancement in both tensile and shear moduli.

Effect of chlorella supplementation on systematic symptoms and serum levels of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

OBJECTIVE: Primary dysmenorrhea is one of the most commonly reported disorders for women that have unfavorable effects on patient's quality of life. Based on the evidences that suggest the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of chlorella, this double-blind, randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effects of Chlorella supplementation on the severity of menstrual pain in a group of young women with primary dysmenorrhea. STUDY DESIGN: In this clinical trial, 44 girls with primary dysmenorrhea were randomly divided into intervention and control groups. Patients in the intervention group received 1500 mg/day of chlorella as 5 soft gel and the control group received placebo soft gels for eight weeks. Menstrual and food information were collected using a previously validated and published questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters including prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), ProstaglandinF2a (PGF2a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were assessed at baseline and end of week eight. RESULTS: In chlorella supplemented group the PGE2, PGF2a, hs-CRP and MDA decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The severity and duration of dysmenorrheal pain were significantly reduced in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Systemic symptoms of dysmenorrhea (fatigue, headache, nausea, vomiting, lack of energy) decreased in the chlorella group (p < 0.05). The mean of menstrual characteristics, anthropometric indices and daily energy and macronutrient intake in both intervention and control groups were not changed significantly. CONCLUSION: This study showed that chlorella supplementation could decrease the severity of pain and systemic symptoms and improve serum levels of prostaglandins, inflammatory and oxidative markers in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Blood pressure lowering and anti-inflammatory effects of hesperidin in type 2 diabetes; a randomized double-blind controlled clinical trial.

Elevated levels of reactive oxygen species under diabetic condition lead to vascular complications and inflammation. This study aimed to examine the effects of hesperidin supplement on blood pressure and inflammatory markers in type 2 diabetes. In this research, 64 patients were randomly allocated to receive 500 mg/day hesperidin or placebo capsules for 6 weeks. Data on systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were collected at the baseline and at the end of the study. In the hesperidin group, SBP (122.7 ± 8.5 vs. 119.0 ± 7.4; p = .005), mean arterial blood pressure (94.2 ± 5.5 vs. 91.8 ± 5.5; p = .009), IL-6 (8.3 ± 2.1 vs. 7.4 ± 1.8; p = .001), and hs-CRP (1.9 ± 1.2 vs. 1.1 ± 0.9; p < .000) decreased whereas TAC increased (0.74 ± 0.1 vs. 0.82 ± 0.1; p < .000) in comparison to the baseline values. There was a significant difference in mean percent change of SBP, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial blood pressure, serum TAC, and inflammatory markers (tumor necrosis factor alpha, IL-6, and hs-CRP) between hesperidin and control groups following intervention in adjusted models (p < .05). These results suggest that hesperidin may have antihypertensive and anti-inflammatory effects in type 2 diabetes.

Hesperidin Supplementation Alleviates Oxidative DNA Damage and Lipid Peroxidation in Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

This study aimed to examine the effects of hesperidin supplement on the glycemic parameters, oxidative DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation in patients with type 2 diabetes. Sixty-four patients were randomly allocated to receive 500 mg/day hesperidin or placebo capsules for 6 weeks. Data on glycemic parameters, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHDG), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were collected at the baseline and at the end of the study. In hesperidin group, TAC increased (0.74 ± 0.16 vs. 0.82 ± 0.18), while serum froctoseamin (5.79 ± 5.86 vs. 5.01 ± 4.95; p = 0.001), 8-OHDG (14.32 ± 6.4 vs. 11.00 ± 7.0; p = 0.000), and MDA (5.78 ± 1.76 vs. 4.60 ± 0.75; p = 0.000) decreased in comparison with the baseline values. There was a significant difference in percent change of TAC (13.35 ± 19.21 vs. 3.13 ± 10.02; p = 0.043), froctoseamin (-10.10 ± 16.84 vs. 4.27 ± 34.646), 8-OHDG (-25.11 ± 28.23 vs. 8.69 ± 35.41; p = 0.000), and MDA (-16.46 ± 18.04 vs. -1.82 ± 22.63; p = 0.007) between hesperidin and control groups following intervention in adjusted models. These results suggest that hesperidin may improve TAC and alleviate serum froctoseamin, 8-OHDG, and MDA levels in type 2 diabetes. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Improving neuropathy scores in type 2 diabetic patients using micronutrients supplementation.

AIM: The aim of the present study was to determine if micronutrients supplementation can improve neuropathy indices in type 2 diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, 75 type 2 diabetes patients were assigned to three treatment groups, receiving one of the following daily supplement for 4 months: Group MV: zinc (20 mg), magnesium (250 mg), vitamin C (200 mg) and E (100 mg); Group MVB: both of the above mineral and vitamin supplements plus vitamin B1 (10 mg), B2 (10 mg), B6 (10 mg), biotin (200 µg), B12 (10 µg) and folic acid (1 mg); Group P: placebo. RESULTS: 67 patients completed the study. Neuropathic symptoms based on the MNSI questionnaire improved from 3.45 to 0.64 (p=0.001) in group MVB, from 3.96 to 1.0 (p=0.001) in group MV and from 2.54 to 1.95 in placebo group after 4 months. There was no significant difference between three treatment groups in MNSI examinations after 4 months supplementations. Over 4 months of treatment, patients showed no significant changes in glycemic control, capillary blood flow or electrophysiological measures in MV and MVB groups compared with placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: These studies suggest that micronutrients supplementation might ameliorate diabetic neuropathy symptoms.