CoastWatcher
Moderator
A growing body of evidence suggests a role for homocysteine (Hcys) and folate (FA) in erectile function (EF): Hcys appears to impair EF affecting endothelium via several mechanism whereas the role of FA remains to be elucidated, besides decreasing Hcys.
"Folate: a possible role in erectile dysfunction?" The Aging Male, November 2017, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13685538.2017.1404022
- To assess correlation between erectile dysfunction (ED) and serum levels of FA, Hcys, and B12, we enrolled 31 patients affected by ED (Group A; age 52.83 ± 11.89 years) and 31 healthy adults (Group B; age 49.14 ± 13.63 years).
- Fasting blood samples were taken for each subject. ED was assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5).
- IIEF-5 mean score was significantly lower in Group A than in Group B. Compared to Group B, Group A also showed significantly lower serum FA levels (5.11 ± 1.79 versus 7.9 ± 3.55 ng/ml, p < .001) and significantly higher serum Hcys levels (13.61 ± 3.55 versus 9.17 ± 2.32 µmol/L, p < .001).
- This suggests that FA deficit may directly impair EF.
"Folate: a possible role in erectile dysfunction?" The Aging Male, November 2017, http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13685538.2017.1404022