Study on mechanisms behind erectile dysfunction

Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Koenraad van Renterghem

The mechanisms behind erectile dysfunction (ED) that is not treatable with conventional medicine, are still not known.

In this study, corpus cavernosum (CC) tissue from patients with severe ED is collected during replacement surgery (tissue fragments). In exceptional cases, tissue can be collected during a NESBIT surgery (needle biopsy). This tissue is used for histopathological, immunohistochemical and molecular  analysis to identifiy the underlying mechanisms.

The results could lead to the development of less invasive treatments for this patient group.

Publications

• Albersen M, Linsen L, Tinel H, Sandner P, Van Renterghem K. Synergistic effects of BAY 60-4552 and vardenafil on relaxation of corpus cavernosum tissue of patients with erectile dysfunction and clinical phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor failure. J Sex Med. 2013;10(5):1268-77.