Tag: nitric oxide

October 26, 2004

Diabetic mice who are not able to obtain erection are helped nearly as well by taking vitamin E as with taking Viagra. A combination is even better, and the treatment is recommended for diabetic men with the same problem.

Based on animal studies, Canadian researchers believe that male diabetics suffering from erectile dysfunction can be helped with vitamin E.

Diabetic men must, due to a weak erection, often resort to Viagra. However, despite the widespread use of this preparation, its effect is not rarely inadequate.

A supplement with a high dose of vitamin E might help, according to researchers at the Urology Department at St. Joseph Health Care, University of Western Ontario (Canada).

The experiment was conducted on mice that were artificially made diabetic with a substance (streptozocin) that suppresses insulin production. Some of the mice were given Viagra, others were given vitamin E, and a third group was given both.

For comparison, a fourth group of the diabetic mice were given only peanut oil, and finally, all of these mice were compared to a group that did not have diabetes.

The mice’s genitals were now mechanically stimulated, after which they measured how much the penis swelled. At the same time, the penis’ content of the substance NO (nitric oxide) was measured. It is NO that under normal conditions causes the blood vessels to dilate, and it is also NO that is formed in increased amounts with the help of Viagra – humans and mice have the same enzyme for this purpose. In numerous other experiments, increased formation of NO in the blood vessels has been found as a result of, among other things, vitamin E and C supplements.

The experiment showed that vitamin E (20 units per mouse) caused the penis to swell about as effectively as Viagra. With both agents, an enlargement of the penis of about 75% of what non-diabetic mice achieved was achieved. In comparison, mice that were given only peanut oil only reached about 50%. But mice that were given both Viagra and vitamin E reached a full 88% of the normal mouse response.

These results were consistent with the fact that, as expected, elevated amounts of NO were found in the tissues of the vitamin E-treated mice.

The researchers conclude that vitamin E potentially “can rescue erectile function in patients who do not have sufficient effect from Viagra.” But the effect has not yet been tested in humans, by its very nature.

By: Vitality Council

Reference:
De Young L, Yu D, Bateman RM, Brock GB. Oxidative stress and antioxidant therapy: their impact in diabetes-associated erectile dysfunction. J Androl. 2004 Sep-Oct;25(5):830-6.

www.andrologyjournal.org
www.iom.dk