Gas what: NO is not the only answer to sexual function

WOS: 000350546100004
PubMed ID: 24661203
The ability to get and keep an erection is important to men for several reasons and the inability is known as erectile dysfunction (ED). ED has started to be accepted as an early indicator of systemic endothelial dysfunction and subsequently of cardiovascular diseases. The role of NO in endothelial relaxation and erectile function is well accepted. The discovery of NO as a small signalling gasotransmitter led to the investigation of the role of other endogenously derived gases, carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S) in physiological and pathophysiological conditions. The role of NO and CO in sexual function and dysfunction has been investigated more extensively and, recently, the involvement of H2S in erectile function has also been confirmed. In this review, we focus on the role of these three sister gasotransmitters in the physiology, pharmacology and pathophysiology of sexual function in man, specifically erectile function. We have also reviewed the role of soluble guanylyl cyclase/cGMP pathway as a common target of these gasotransmitters. Several studies have proposed alternative therapies targeting different mechanisms in addition to PDE-5 inhibition for ED treatment, since some patients do not respond to these drugs. This review highlights complementary and possible coordinated roles for these mediators and treatments targeting these gasotransmitters in erectile function/ED. Linked ArticlesThis article is part of a themed section on Pharmacology of the Gasotransmitters. To view the other articles in this section visit
Turkish Academia Young investigator award programmeTurkish Academy of Sciences; TUBA-GebipTurkish Academy of Sciences; Turkish Scientific Research Council TUBITAKTurkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [109S453, 109S432]; EBILTEMEge University; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico; CNPqNational Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq); Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa e Inovacao do Estado de Santa Catarina; FAPESC; COST actionEuropean Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) [BM1005]
The authors would like to thank the financial supports by Turkish Academia Young investigator award programme; TUBA-Gebip (to G. Y. A.), Turkish Scientific Research Council TUBITAK for the grant #109S453 and # 109S432 (to G. Y. A.), EBILTEM (to G. Y. A.), Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico; CNPq (to A. E. L.) and Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa e Inovacao do Estado de Santa Catarina; FAPESC (to A. E. L.) and the COST action BM1005 (ENOG: European Network on Gasotransmitters).