Innovative Research Into Erectile Dysfunction In Diabetics Rewarded At ESSM Congress

Main Category: Erectile Dysfunction / Premature Ejaculation
Also Included In: Diabetes
Article Date: 29 Nov 2007 - 1:00 PDT

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The fourth annual ESSM Award of Excellence has been awarded to Professors Dr Carla Costa and Dr Pedro Vendeira for their ground-breaking research into erectile dysfunction in diabetics, during the 10th annual ESSM Congress taking place in Lisbon, Portugal. The study, entitled Bone-marrow Derived-cell Treatment for Diabetes-associated Erectile Dysfunction, provides new preliminary answers to erectile dysfunction that occurs earlier on in diabetics.

Erectile Dysfunction is a multifactor problem that affects all diabetics. It appears earlier with peripheral vascular problems that alters the normal blood flux to the penis, interfering with normal erectile capacity. This situation is developed by changes in the endothelium cells that cover the penile arteries. The main goal of this study is to revascularize diabetic penile tissue by using cellular therapy with endothelial progenitor cells. This research is being developed in diabetic rats in which progenitor cells from healthy animals are transplanted to the test animal's penis.

Prof Dr Carla Costa, Biologist, and Prof Dr Pedro Vendeira, Urologist, both members of the Associação para o Estudo Avançado da Sexualidade Humana, conducted their research at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Oporto. The professors' study had received recognition earlier this year with financial support of €100,000 from the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. The ESSM Award of Excellence comes with a research grant of €30,000.The Award was created in 2004 by the European Society for Sexual Medicine to support reseach and developments in the field of sexual health.

European Society for Sexual Medicine