Role of disturbed fatty acids metabolism in the pathophysiology of diabetic erectile dysfunction

Mohamed Raâfet Ben Khedher,Kamel Jamoussi,Samia Haj Ahmed,Mohamed Abid,Houda Bouhajja,Mohamed Hammami

doi:10.1186/s12944-017-0637-9

Mohamed Raâfet Ben Khedher, Kamel Jamoussi + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12944-017-0637-9

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Abstract

BackgroundVasculogenic erectile dysfunction (VED) is considered as a common complication among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We tested whether changes in fatty acid (FAs) classes measured in erythrocytes are associated with increased risk of diabetic VED along with related risk factors.MethodsWe assessed erythrocyte FAs composition, lipid peroxidation parameters and inflammatory cytokines among 72 T2D men with VED, 78 T2D men without VED and 88 healthy volunteers with similar age. Biochemical, hepatic, lipid and hormonal profiles were measured.ResultsT2D people with VED had significant decrease in the indexes of Δ6-desaturase and elongase activities compared to the other studied groups. The same group of participants displayed lower erythrocytes levels of dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C20:3n-6) (P < .001), precursor of the messenger molecule PGE1 mainly involved in promoting erection. Moreover, absolute SFAs concentration and HOMA IR levels were higher in T2D people with VED when compared to controls and associated with impaired NO concentration (1.43 vs 3.30 ng/L, P < .001). Our results showed that IL-6 and TNF-α were significantly increased and positively correlated with MDA levels only in T2D people with VED (r = 0.884, P = .016 and r = 0.753, P = .035; respectively) suggesting a decrease in the relative availability of vasodilator mediators and an activation of vasoconstrictors release.ConclusionOur findings show that the deranged FAs metabolism represents a potential marker of VED in progress, or at least an indicator of increased risk within men with T2D.

Highlights

Vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (VED) is considered as a common complication among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D)
The present paper investigated whether changes in FAs metabolism are associated with VED susceptibility and related risk factors in people with T2D
A statistically significant increase was observed in both T2D patient groups (Group A: T2D with VED and group B: T2D without VED) compared to the controls on the rate of fasting glucose, HbA1c, insulin, HOMA insulin resistance (IR), total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol plasmatic levels

Summary

Introduction

Vasculogenic erectile dysfunction (VED) is considered as a common complication among people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). We tested whether changes in fatty acid (FAs) classes measured in erythrocytes are associated with increased risk of diabetic VED along with related risk factors. Biomarkers of fatty acid (FAs) intake have been widely used in epidemiologic studies to predict risk of diseases [1]. Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is determined by genes and lifestyle, yet dietary composition may affect both its development and complications [2]. FAs intake may increase diabetes complications risk since it influence glucose metabolism by altering cell enzyme activity, membrane function, gene expression, and insulin signaling [3]. The development of ED in men with diabetes is a multifactorial and complex process that appears to be affected by neurogenic and vascular causes, changes in nitric-oxide (NO) system and oxidative processes [5]

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