L-Arginine and Erectile Dysfunction

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The purpose of the study is to determine whether the treatment with L-arginine leads to an improvement of erectile dysfunction in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Detailed Description
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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common medical disorder often affecting the aging male. Nitric oxide (NO) is a physiological signal essential to penile erection. NO synthase (NOS) catalyzes the production of NO from L-arginine. ADMA, a competitive inhibitor of NO synthase increases with age and many disorders that reduce NO in the erectile tissue are commonly associated with ED. Although new pharmacological strategies have been identified for medical treatment of ED, patients often seek alternative therapies for cost or side effect reasons. The aim of the present study is to determine the efficacy of orally administered L-arginine on ED not caused by established organic disease.

Official Title
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Oral Administration of L-Arginine in Patients With Erectile Dysfunction

Conditions
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Erectile Dysfunction

Intervention / Treatment
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* Drug: L-arginine
* Drug: Placebo


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Patients age between 20 and 65 years, an ED for at least 6 months duration and written consent. Each patient had to be informed about the study details in written and oral form before the beginning of the drug administration. The hormonal status including dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), Prolactin and Testosteron of each patient had to be within the normal range. - Exclusion Criteria: Patients with primary erectile dysfunction, congenital anomalies, Diabetes mellitus, severe hepatic-and renal insufficiency, severe cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular accidents, uncontrolled hypertension, endocrine diseases, psychiatric disorders, and evidence of dementia were excluded. Patients were excluded if they had pelvic fractures or prostatectomy and if they had undergone reconstructive or prosthetic surgery on the penis. Increased levels of serum potassium, known hypersensitivity to the study medication or any ingredient of the drug. Administration of PDE-5-Inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil or apomorphine) within four weeks prior to the administration of l-arginine or placebo led to exclusion.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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Male

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: L-arginine<br> | Drug: L-arginine<br> <br> |
| Placebo Comparator: placebo<br> | Drug: Placebo<br> <br> |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| International Index of Erectile Dysfunction |  | 16 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| L-arginine plasma-levels |  | 16 weeks | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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nitrate, nitric oxide, asymmetric dimethylarginine, blood pressure, NOS, IIEF