The role of prostaglandins in the aetiology and treatment of erectile dysfunction

Both animal and human penile tissue synthesize prostaglandins (PGs). Furthe rmore, intracavernous injection of certain PGs elicits erection in men with erectile dysfunction (ED). It is also well established that PGs are involv ed in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus (DM). Si nce atherosclerosis and DM are major risk factors for ED, it has been sugge sted that the disruption of PG synthesis in penile tissues and related vasc ulature may play a role in the pathogenesis of ED. In this review, we discu ss the role of PGs in normal penile erection as well as on the pathophysiol ogy and treatment.