Abstract:

ObjectiveTo explore the role of endothelin(ET)  and nitric oxide (NO) in the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) in obstructive sleep apneahypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).   MethodsThe International index oferectile function （IIEF-5）, plasma ET, serum NO and polysomnographic (PSG) parameters in 30 OSAHS patients with accompanied erectile dysfunction and 32 normal erectile OSAHS patients were determined before and after operation.  10 normal subjects served as controls.  Results1. Compared with normal people, the apnea hypopnea index (AHI ) and ET were increased in OSAHS patients with or without ED, while the lowest SaO₂ and NO were decreased （P＜0.01）.  The lowest SaO₂ and NO inOSAHS patients with ED were lower than those in OSAHS patients without ED, AHI in OSAHS patients with ED was higher than that in OSAHS patients without ED （P＜0.05）. There was no significant difference in ET in the two groups（P＞0.05）.2. In OSAHS patients, IIEF-5 positively correlated with the lowest SaO2 and NO and negatively correlated with AHI and  ET （P＜0.05）.  3. In OSAHS patients with ED, AHI and ET were decreased after the operation, while IIEF-5, the lowest SaO₂ and NO were increased after the operation（P＜0.01）. Conclusion   Operation is effective for OSAHSpatients with accompanied erectile dysfunction.  NO may play a role in the pathogenesis of OSAHS-induced erectile dysfunction.

Key words: Sleep apnea, obstructive; Erectile dysfunction; Operation; Endothelin; Nitric oxide