The effects of quinapril and atorvastatin on the responsiveness to sildenafil in men with erectile dysfunction

Vasc Med. 2006 Nov;11(4):251-7. doi: 10.1177/1358863x06072221.

Abstract

Phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitors are an effective therapy for the majority of men with erectile dysfunction (ED). However, many men with ED still report a suboptimal or partial response even after an adequate trial of oral PDE-5 therapy. Since ED is associated with impaired vascular function and both atorvastatin and quinapril have been previously shown to improve vascular function, we examined the effects of adjunctive treatment with these medications in men with vasculogenic ED who were suboptimal responders to 100 mg of sildenafil. Men with ED and suboptimal response to sildenafil were randomly assigned to 3 months of treatment with atorvastatin 40 mg (n = 12), quinapril 10 mg (n = 10), or placebo (n = 13), along with continued adjunctive sildenafil use. Measured variables included: International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire, brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD), endothelium-independent dilation (EID) via nitroglycerin, penile Doppler blood flow, blood pressure (BP), lipids, and C-reactive protein (CRP). Compared to placebo, quinapril (p < 0.01) significantly improved symptoms of ED as measured by the IIEF-5 questionnaire. There was a trend toward a significant improvement in IIEF-5 with atorvastatin. Similarly, quinapril significantly improved the IIEF ED Domain (p < 0.05). Other peripheral and penile vascular parameters were unchanged with drug therapy as compared to placebo. In conclusion, treatment with quinapril, in combination with sildenafil, improved ED in men with suboptimal response to sildenafil alone. Atorvastatin demonstrated a trend toward improved ED in this group.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Atorvastatin
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Heptanoic Acids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Impotence, Vasculogenic / drug therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Piperazines / therapeutic use*
  • Purines / therapeutic use
  • Pyrroles / therapeutic use*
  • Quinapril
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Sulfones / therapeutic use*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Failure
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Heptanoic Acids
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Piperazines
  • Purines
  • Pyrroles
  • Sulfones
  • Tetrahydroisoquinolines
  • Atorvastatin
  • Sildenafil Citrate
  • Quinapril