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Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Assessing Endothelial Vasodilator Function with the Endo-PAT 2000
Published on: October 15, 2010
The pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction related to endothelial dysfunction and mediators of vascular function
Renke Maas1, Edzard Schwedhelm, Jennifer Albsmeier
1Institut für Experimentelle und Klinische Pharmakologie und Toxikologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. maas@uke.uni-hamburg.de
Abstract:
The incidence of erectile dysfunction increases with diabetes, hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia, cardiovascular disease and renal failure. All these conditions are associated with endothelial dysfunction. This review addresses the pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction with a special focus on new insights into nitric oxide (NO)-mediated pathways, oxidative stress and parallels to endothelial dysfunction. NO appears to be the key mediator promoting endothelium-derived vasodilation and penile erection. The possibility is discussed that elevated plasma concentrations of asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous NO synthase inhibitor, may provide an additional pathomechanism for various forms of erectile dysfunction associated with cardiovascular risk factors and disease. Likewise, the role of endothelium-derived factors mediating NO-independent pathways is evaluated.
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