• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.291-297
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the effects and molecular mechanisms of the Schisandra chinensis fruit extract (SC) and its major compound gomisin A (GA), on the contractility of rabbit penile corpus cavernosum smooth muscle (PCCSM). MATERIALS/METHODS: PCCSM was exposed to SC or GA after appropriate pretreatment with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) blocker, guanylate cyclase blocker, adenylyl cyclase blocker or protein kinase A blocker. Subsequently, we evaluated the cyclic nucleotide in the perfusate by radioimmunoassay, protein expression level of neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) by western blot, and the interaction of SC or GA with udenafil and rolipram. RESULTS: Both SC and GA induce PCCSM relaxations in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with NOS blocker, guanylate cyclase blocker, adenylyl cyclase blocker or protein kinase A blocker result in significantly decreased relaxation. SC and GA also induce the levels of cyclic nucleotide in the perfusate in a concentration-dependent manner. Perfusion with GA also showed significantly higher levels of eNOS protein. Furthermore, the udenafil and rolipram induced relaxations of PCCSM were enhanced after exposure to SC and GA. Our results indicate that SC and GA induce the relaxation of PCCSM via the nitric oxide (NO)-cGMP and cAMP signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: The SC and GA are potential alternative treatments for men who want to consume natural products to ameliorate erectile function, or who do not respond to the commercially available medicines.

• Reproductive and Developmental Biology
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.435-439
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• 2011

Sildenafil citrate (SIL) a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor (PDE5I) has been used for long time as a first line oral drug for erectile dysfunction. Though it has beneficial effects on erectile organ it also has some adverse effects in other cells and/or tissues related to reproductive system when exposed to longer duration. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the long term effect of SIL on sperm parameters in Wistar albino rat. The animals are divided into two groups, for group I - rats were treated with saline (vehicle alone) and group - II oral administration of 5 mg/kg b.w. of SIL was administrated orally once in a day for 120 days. At the end of the trial period animals were sacrificed and epididymal sperm were subjected to various analysis. Results showed significant reduction in sperm count, motility, viability and morphologically intact sperm in long term PDE5I exposed animals when compared to control. Acrosomal status and fertility test also showed significant reduction in long term PDE5I exposed animals. The present study clearly indicated that long term SIL has shown to induce alteration in sperm quality and quantity, leading to decline in fertility rate. Indicate that SIL impinge on spermatogenesis as well as epididymal function. Understanding the molecular down-stream events involved in long-term exposure to PDE5 inhibitor can be valuable to supervise on related infertility issues and to suggest corrective measures.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.143-153
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• 2023

Objective: Men's sexual health plays an important role in male fertility and childbearing, as it is associated with factors such as sexual desire, healthy spermatogenesis, and erectile function. In various cultures, medicinal plants have been utilized to address male sexual issues, including infertility and erectile dysfunction. Despite recent advancements in medical science for treating male impotence, some men opt for herbal supplements as an alternative, given that numerous herbs have the potential to enhance male sexual performance. The Apiaceae family is one of the oldest plant families used for medicinal purposes. Ferula, a genus within this family, comprises approximately 170 different species worldwide. Members of this genus possess numerous therapeutic properties due to the presence of various compounds. This article aims to explore the potential impacts of Ferula plants on the male reproductive system. Methods: This review article was prepared by searching for terms including Ferula and "aphrodisiac," Ferula and "spermatogenesis," and Ferula and "male reproductive system." Relevant information was gathered through electronic databases, including ISI Web of Knowledge, PubMed, and Google Scholar. Results: The findings indicated that relatively comprehensive studies have been conducted in this area, revealing that certain Ferula species have been employed in folk medicine to boost fertility and libido. Recent research has corroborated these effects. Conclusion: It is hoped that new aphrodisiac compounds with fewer side effects can be isolated from Ferula plants in the future.

• The Korea Journal of Herbology
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was conducted to investigate the effect of HTE001, a multi-herbal mixture consisting of 10 herbs, Cornus Frutus, Schizandrae Fructus, Rubi Fructus, Cnidi Fructus, Acanthopanacis senticosi Radix, Cinnamomi Cortex, Eucommiae Cortex, Allii Bulbus, Rehmanniae Radix and Ginseng Radix, on electrostimulation-induced penile erection in rats. Methods : Intracavernous pressure (ICP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were simultaneously monitored through electric stimulation of the cavernous nerve after the oral administration of HTE001 (30, 100, 300 mg/kg) in normal rats. Statistical analysis was performed on maximal intracavernous pressure (ICP), maximal intracavernous pressure/mean arterial blood pressure (ICP/MAP) ratio, and the area under the curve (AUC) of ICP/MAP ratio. Results : Oral administration of HTE001 300 mg/kg caused the ICP to increase in a frequency-dependent manner. And HTE001 300 mg/kg treatment group showed the highest value in the ICP/MAP ratio and the AUC value of the ICP/MAP ratio compared to the control group at 2 Hz, 6 Hz and 10 Hz, respectively without an effect on the mean arterial blood pressure under the same stimulation of the cavernous nerve. Conclusions : These results show that HTE001 improve penile erection and prolong the decay period in normal rats without affecting mean arterial blood pressure, and suggest that HTE001 could be a good therapeutic candidate to treat erectile dysfunction.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 2017

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of sexual health program for men with rectal cancer resection based on sexual function, self-esteem, depression, and marital intimacy. Methods: Using a quasi-experiment design, the intervention group (n=32) participated in the sexual health program based on PLISSIT (Permission, Limited Information, Specific Suggestions, Intensive Therapy) model. They received the program three times between August 2014 and March 2015. The comparison group (n=30) received a general educational program for rectal cancer. Four survey questionnaires such as International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Self-Esteem Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depressing Scale (CES-D), Marital Intimacy were used to measure the four key variables. Results: After the sexual health program, the intervention group showed statistically positive effect for the sexual function (F=4.14, p=.046), self-esteem (F=16.71, p<.001), depression (F=12.56, p=.001), and marital intimacy (F=12.45, p=.001) than the comparison group. Conclusion: Sexual health program should be consistently provided for men with rectal cancer resection since the intervention group reported better self-esteem, less depression, more intimacy and better sexual functioning.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the influences of the attitudes of pregnant women and their husbands towards sex during pregnancy on sexual function. Additional purpose was to compare the frequency of sexual dysfunction according to gender and gestational trimester and to describe the changes in sexual behavior according to the gestational trimester. Methods: In this study, 231 pregnant couples completed self-report questionnaires during their visits to women's hospitals or community health centers. The questionnaires assessed general characteristics, maternal/paternal sexual attitudes towards sex during pregnancy (Maternal Sex during Pregnancy Scale, MSP/Paternal Sex during Pregnancy Scale, PSP), and sexual function (using the Female Sexual Function Index and International Index of Erectile Function, respectively). Multiple regression analysis was done to test the research model using SPSS version 23.0. Results: In this study, 74.9% of pregnant women and 38.5% of their husbands reported sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction was prevalent in pregnant women in the first trimester and prevalent in husbands in the third trimester. MSP (β=.44, p<.001) in pregnant women and PSP (β=.39, p<.001) and being in the first trimester (β=.17, p=.012) in husbands influenced sexual function during pregnancy. In the first trimester, the scores for attitudes towards sex during pregnancy were the lowest in pregnant women, while they were the highest in their husbands. Conclusion: Positive attitudes about sex during pregnancy are important for sexual function in pregnant couples. Because the difference in attitudes towards sex during pregnancy between pregnant women and their husbands was greatest in the first trimester, sexual health interventions need to be provided in early pregnancy.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.336-340
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• 1995

Impairment of erectile function, although normally a benign disorder, has a profound impact on the well-being of many men. Penile erection is produced by a complex series of events involving cognition, peripheral sensory input, central and peripheral autonomic nervous events and hormonal vascular events. The multiplicity of potential determinants identified suggest that impotence does not inexorably accompany age, but it is an arugmented significantly modifiable paraaging phenomena. A 53 year old male patients developed sudden impotence. The patients did not respond to intracavernous injection of papaverine. This patient was successfuly treated with 4 repeated stellate ganglion blocks.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.275-278
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• 2020

A 24-year-old man presented to King Saud Medical City emergency department with a retained bullet in his penis following a civilian exchange of gunfire. After an initial assessment, the patient was taken to the operating room. Penile exploration was performed, the bullet was extracted successfully, and the corpora cavernosa were repaired properly. A 6-week follow-up showed full healing with preservation of erectile function. Immediate surgical intervention is mandatory as the primary treatment for penile gunshot injury to ensure proper anatomical and functional recovery.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.311-320
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• 2019

This study is a descriptive study to investigate the relationship between sexual function, sleep quality, and depression in male cirrhosis patients. Data were collected from a structured questionnaire from August 16, 2017 to January 30, 2018. Data were collected by t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation. AS a result, the lower the sexual function of male cirrhosis patients, the lower the quality of sleep (r=-.232, p =.005) and the higher the depression score (r=-.381, p<.001) The lower the score, the higher the score of depression (r=.561, p<.001). Sexual function, quality of sleep and depression were found to be statistically significant. The results of this study can be used as basic data for the development of nursing intervention for male cirrhosis patients.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.267-277
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a sex education program for middle aged men patients with diabetes and their spouses. Methods: The research design for this study was a non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental study. The subjects were 23 diabetic patients and their spouses with half of the subjects exposed to a structured sex education program. Sexual Beliefs and Information Questionnaire, Dyadic Sexual Communication Scale, Sexual Frequency Scale, Derogatis Sexual Function Inventory and International Index of Erectile Function-5 were used for data collection. Results: In the experimental group, sexual knowledge of diabetic patients and sexual communication with their spouses were improved after two weeks following the program. Also, in the experimental group, sexual knowledge, sexual communication, and sexual frequency in both diabetic patients and their spouses were improved after six weeks following the program. In the experimental group, sexual satisfaction of diabetic patients was improved after six weeks following sex education program, however their spouses in the experimental group showed no significant differences than those of the comparison group. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that sex education program for both diabetic patients and their spouses could be utilized in public health centers, hospitals, and clinics.