Abstract
Objectives: to evaluate the effectiveness of a natural compound made of Ecklonia bicyclis Seaweed, Tribulus terrestris and water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharide, in the male sexual asthenia with mild or mild-moderate erectile dysfunction and serum testosterone levels between 280 and 350 ng/dl. Materials and Methods: 84 male patients affected by reduced libido and serum testosterone levels at the lower limit of normal, were recruited. We have separated patients in three different age groups: group A (18 - 45 years), group B (45 - 59 years), group C (>60 years). All subjects answered the International index of erectile function questionnaire (IIEF-5) and underwent determination of serum total testosterone before and after 30 days of treatment. Results: Before treatment, the group A showed mean (± standard deviation) total testosterone 321.9 ± 19.2 ng/dl and mean IIEF-5 18.6 ± 1.97, in the group B it was 318.5 ± 18.1 ng/dl and 16.3 ± 2.66, and finally in the group C it was 305.4 ± 13.1 ng/dl and 14.2 ± 1.95 respectively. After treatment mean total testosterone and mean IIEF-5 were respectively: group A (448 ± 111.46 ng/dl and 21.84 ± 3.41); group B (453.8 ± 105.23 ng/dl and 20.4 ± 3.81); group C (385.8 ± 87.29 ng/dl and 16.7 ± 3.84). Conclusions: The treatment with Ecklonia bicyclis, Tribulus terrestris and water-soluble chitosan oligosaccharide might represent a safe and effective option on the improvement of libido and erectile function in man with testosterone level at the lower limit of normal.
Highlights
Several studies have tried to evaluate the possible relationship between serum levels of testosterone and sexual function [1] [2]
The International Society for Study of the Aging Male (ISSAM) defines the Androgens Deficiency Syndrome (ADS) as “a biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterized by a deficiency in serum androgen levels with or without a decreased genomic sensitivity to androgens”; this condition is known as late-onset hypogonadism (LOH)
Despite the well known efficacy of oral PDE-5 inhibitors therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED) as well as the testosterone supplement in conditions of hypogonadism, the management of those patients who experience ED associated with low libido that do not respond to PDE-5 inhibitors showing normal hormone levels or in any case at the lower limit of normal, still remains complicated
Summary
Several studies have tried to evaluate the possible relationship between serum levels of testosterone and sexual function [1] [2]. The International Society for Study of the Aging Male (ISSAM) defines the Androgens Deficiency Syndrome (ADS) as “a biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterized by a deficiency in serum androgen levels with or without a decreased genomic sensitivity to androgens”; this condition is known as late-onset hypogonadism (LOH). The prevalence of AD in men suffering from systemic diseases is significantly higher than those not evincing these diseases. Physicians caring for these patients need to be aware of the increased prevalence and need to offer appropriate screening [6]. Symptoms related to ADS are very heterogeneous and they include erectile dysfunction (ED), decreased libido, nervousness, asthenia, insomnia, anxiety, depression, cognitive decline and several conditions that may reduce quality of life and may cause an increase in mortality, due to an increase in cardiovascular risk, endothelial dysfunction, metabolic syndrome, osteoporosis etc. [7] [8] [9]
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