Plasma transformig growth factor-β1 level in patients with vasculogenic erectile dysfunction

초록

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induced cavernous fibrosis has been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED). Plasma level of TGF-β1 is reported to be elevated in patients with diabetes, smoking, hepatic fibrosis and several malignancies, while its level in ED is not known. We evaluated the plasma TGF-β1 level in ED patients with various causes to investigate how it is related with ED. Plasma TGF-β1 level was significantly increased in ED group (6.7 ±4.9 ng/㎖), compared to control group (4.0 ± 2.1 ng/㎖) (p<0.01). Of ED group, it was significantly increased in vasculogenic group (9.0 ± 5.5 ng/㎖), compared to psychogenic (3.8 ± 1.8 ng/㎖), or neurogenic group (4.8 ± 3.2 ng/㎖) (p<0.01). Of the vascular risk factors, both smoking (7.5 ± 4.7 ng/㎖) and dyslipidemia group (7.4 ± 4.4 ng/㎖) showed significantly increased plasma TGF-β1 level, compared to those without smoking (5.5 ± 2.8 ng/㎖), and those without dyslipidemia (4.8 ± 2.8 ng/㎖), respectively (p<0.05). Patients with atherosclerosis (9.0 ± 5.3 ng/㎖) also showed increased plasma TGF-β1 level, compared to those without atherosclerosis (6.2 ± 4.7 ng/㎖), but not statistically significant. Plasma TGF-β1 level was increased in patients with ED, especially vasculogenic cause. Among the vascular risk factors, smoking and dyslipidemia group showed elevated plasma TGF-β1 level. Vascular risk factors may contribute to cavernous fibrosis and resultant ED, which is associated with elevated plasma TGF-β1 level.